I used to think bodybuilding nutrition was really complex.... Like all the little details make the difference...
Eat every two hours....
Eat only whole natural foods...
Any processed food will just be 'bad' and make you fat....
I have to avoid 'bad' foods because they just don't work....
Meal timing was highly important...
Breakfast was really important and you have to consume it or your literally starving the muscle....
You should limit whey protein as much as possible as whole foods are 'better'.....
Carbs cannot be consumed before bed as they will turn into fat......
You get the idea guys.... All of which is pretty much false or at least the difference is not worth worrying about overall...
Over the years I have learnt new things but I'd say that over the past year I have really been interested in learning about nutrition and training and the science behind it...
I have spent countless hours reading and watching YouTube videos to learn more.... I have basically changed my though process completely towards everything 'bodybuilding'.... Trying to forget everything I 'know' and relearn from the start based on sound scientific data rather than broscience....
The more I learn about nutrition the more I realise it is not complexed at all..... The metabolic stuff is very complexed but the overall picture that we can actually effect (meal frequency, meal size, meal timing, food choices etc...) is really basic..... The changes that we can make like the points above have very little (if any) consequence on overall metabolism....
I find it funny that the more I know the less I need to know.... I hope this makes sense...
So the take home message from this is to stop worrying about all the finer details and start thinking more about the bigger picture..... Macronutrient breakdown, overall macronutrient intake, micronutrient intake, fiber intake (although these last two may not make a massive difference to your physiques they are important)....
I recommend that everyone re-learns what they think they know..... Be willing to move with the times, don't be a sheep.... If someone makes a statement then ask they WHY.... Don't believe anything you read in a magazine or forum and question everything and find out the truth for yourself.... Take information on board but don't take it as fact or optimal... Do your own research and then make a decision...
I have learnt a lot from many people but I'd say a great start is to subscribe to the following YouTube channels.... Watching videos is a great way to kill time and motivate yourself too...
Flexforall2 - this is Matt ogus' channel... He is a natural bodybuilder and a really good guy.... He will probably win his pro card this year.....
Biolayne - layne nortons channel.... If you don't know who layne is then shame on you, lol, just kidding.... Layne is a pro natural bodybuilder and powerlifter... He has a PhD in nutritional science or something like that and has done specific bodybuilding research himself.... Great guy... One of the best in the industry by fat...
Team3DMJ - ok, team3DMJ are a team of natural bodybuilding prep coaches.... Eric Helms, Alberto Nunez, Jeff Alberts and brad loomis, all of which are natural pros... However Eric Helms is the guy who I have watched a lot of videos of... Really good guy.... Search for Eric helms Q&A on YouTube for some great info....