Core Daily

Nutrition

Q & A: Eating Enough to Bulk Up

Q: I am 6'1", 160 lbs, and an aspiring college baseball player.  My goal is to bulk up to 185 pounds by next season.  Should I just keep adding more calories to my diet? -- Jake, Biloxi, MS

A: No, first assess if you're gaining weight at a healthy rate. You can expect to add about 1.5 pounds a week if you're eating more and training hard. But adding the wrong calories to your diet can defeat your performance goals and potential harm your health. So rather than eating anything you can get your hands on, try increasing your calories with lean meats, healthy fats and more carbs. All of these nutrients are important for healthy weight gain and performance. Plan to have all three nutrients, every three hours. This will help to keep your energy levels consistent and build lean muscle mass.

Questions?

Have a question you'd like answered? Join the conversation in Core Talk.

About The Author

Amanda Carlson – As a registered dietitian, Amanda Carlson has provided educational seminars and individual counseling to a variety of professional and elite sports organizations.

Read Full Bio

Tags: Calories, Food, Strength, Build Muscle, Q&A, Training

Comments