While many people go on diets to lose weight, some go on diets to manage health issues and become healthier in general. Many people start the Thrive diet to get healthier, However, can you build muscle while on the Thrive diet?
It is possible to build muscle while on the Thrive diet. The diet encourages people to eat raw foods such as fruit, vegetables, legumes, and nuts. Many nuts are high in protein, which is a nutrient that is important when someone wants to build muscle.
Keep reading to learn more about the Thrive diet and how to build muscle while on it.
Is it Possible to Build Muscle While on the Thrive Diet?
It is possible to build muscle while on the Thrive diet, especially because you can eat a lot of protein-filled foods while on it. While you aren’t allowed to eat meat or dairy products while on the Thrive diet, as it is a vegan diet plan that encourages you to eat raw foods, there are plenty of raw, non-meat-or-dairy foods that have a lot of protein in them. I will talk more about the foods you can eat while on this diet later.
Protein is necessary when you are building muscle, as it is considered one of the building blocks of muscle growth, Essentially, as long as you stick to the Thrive diet and workout regularly, you can build muscle.
You can also build muscle while on the Thrive diet because the foods you can eat while on it don’t have a lot of fat or sugar. On this diet, you are encouraged to eat fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, and meat substitutes.
You can also build muscle while on the Thrive diet because it typically increases peoples’ energy levels, which means you will have more energy before going to the gym and can work out longer and more often. This will help you build muscle quickly.
Many people on the Thrive diet find that their bodies recover more quickly while they are on the Thrive diet than when they weren’t on it. This will also help you build muscle quickly, as you won’t be sore for very long. It is hard to want to go to the gym and have the energy to work out when your muscles are sore, so the lack of soreness will make it so you will go to the gym more often. Many people also notice an increase in their athletic performance while on the Thrive diet.
How to Build Muscle While on the Thrive Diet
To build muscle while on the Thrive diet, you need to do a few things: exercise regularly and eat protein-filled foods. However, your body can’t function if it doesn’t get proper nutrients, so make sure your food has a variety of nutrients as well as a lot of protein.
Listed below are some good foods to eat while on the Thrive diet if you want to build muscle. This is a basic list, as what you eat while on this diet will vary depending on your budget and food preferences.
Foods to Eat While on the Thrive Diet:
- Red Lentils
- Green Lentils
- Seitan
- Legumes (in general)
- Oats
- Hemp Seeds
- Almonds
- Peanuts
- Pistachios
- Flaxseeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Chia Seeds
- Cashew Nuts
- Walnuts
- Hazelnuts
- Brazil Nuts
- Peas
- Pine Nuts
- Quinoa
- Collard Greens
- Tofu
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Mustard Greens
- Spinach
- Cowpeas
- Artichokes
- Amaranth
- Rapini
The types of exercises you do affect how long it will take for you to build muscle. Doing general strength training exercises is key. Here is a list of some good exercises to do if you want to build muscle while on the Thrive diet:
- Squats
- Pull-Ups
- Deadlifts
- Lunges
- Pushups
- Planks
- Bench-Press
- Shoulder-Press
- Overhead Press
- Dumbell Rows
- Exercise-Ball Crunches
When trying to build muscle, you should go to the gym about 2-4 days every week, especially when you first start training. After training for a while, you can go to the gym more often without overworking your body. In general, you should do cardio 2-3 days per week and lift weights 3-4 days per week.
Things to Keep in Mind While Trying to Build Muscle on the Thrive Diet
Before you start trying to build muscle, especially a lot of muscle, while on the Thrive diet, there are some things you need to keep in mind.
The first thing you need to keep in mind is that when you switch from your normal diet to the Thrive diet, your body likely won’t be happy as it adjusts. One way this is seen is how the phases of the Thrive diet are categorized. The Thrive diet has three phases: the transition phase, the cleanse phase, and the maintenance phase.
During the transition phase, you will still be eating some foods that are processed, have refined sugars, and have unhealthy fats. These foods won’t help you build muscle and may make you have low energy levels. However, you shouldn’t skip this phase of the diet plan.
The cleanse phase lasts about 1-2 weeks and involves you eating nutrient-dense foods that help “cleanse” your system. Your general health will likely improve during this phase. You should start going to the gym regularly during this phase if you don’t already.
The maintenance phase of the Thrive diet plan is the phase you should be working out the most during, as your body has adjusted to the change in diet and has been fed nutrient-rich foods for a while. It involves eating nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods. Your energy levels will likely be higher than normal during this phase.
While on the Thrive diet, monitor how you are feeling before exercising. Don’t work out or lift heavy weights if you are feeling lightheaded or dizzy. Make sure you drink plenty of water.
Monitor your nutrient intake, as some people on the Thrive diet don’t get enough Vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, or calcium. If they will be helpful, consult with a dietitian while on the Thrive diet.
Overall, it is relatively easy to build muscle while on the Thrive diet as long as you are working out regularly and have a balanced diet.