
Precision Nutrition is a company that certifies health and fitness professionals, and their experts are excellent resources for breaking down diet trends in an honest way. Many people are exercising for the first time ever and eating cleaner than ever, but they’re still doing the wrong thing for their body. Some believe endomorphs are also less able to tolerate carbohydrates, so the best diet for your body type may be one with a higher fat and protein intake and a lower carbohydrate intake, such as the paleo diet or keto diet.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Ectomorphs | Lack of muscle, lack of fat |
Mesomorphs | More likely to reach goals if they follow an ectomorphic-style diet |
Endomorphs | Less able to tolerate carbohydrates, higher fat and protein intake, lower carbohydrate intake |
High-volume exercise | Ectomorphic-style diet |
Natural ectomorphs | Consuming macros designed for the slender ectomorphic body type |
Hard gainers | Ectomorphic-style eating |
Low-carb diet | Gastrointestinal problems |
Carbohydrates | Excellent source of energy |
Somatotypes | Developed in the 1940s by William Herbert Sheldon, MD, PhD |
Precision Nutrition | Certifies health and fitness professionals |
What You'll Learn
Ectomorphs - high-carb, low-fat, moderate-protein diet
If you are an ectomorph, you should follow a high-carb, low-fat, moderate-protein diet. This diet is ideal for those who are slender and lack muscle and fat. It is also perfect for hard gainers who struggle to put on weight or muscle.
This diet is based on consuming macros that are specifically designed for the ectomorphic body type. It involves eating more carbohydrates, less fat, and moderate protein. This approach is particularly beneficial for those who engage in high-volume exercises such as long-distance running or cycling.
The key to this diet is to choose the right kind of carbs. While carbohydrates are an excellent source of energy, it is important to select the appropriate types to avoid side effects. Removing carbs from your diet can lead to fatigue and gastrointestinal problems if done too extreme.
Additionally, this diet is safe because it focuses on nutrient-rich whole foods, is balanced, and does not eliminate any food group. It is based on the idea that everyone has a body type and that following your somatotype can help you maximize your body's strengths and correct any weaknesses.
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Endomorphs - high-fat, high-protein, low-carb diet
Endomorphs are less able to tolerate carbohydrates, so the best diet for your body type may be one with a higher fat and protein intake and a lower carbohydrate intake. This diet can help you lose body fat while keeping your energy level up.
Carbs are an excellent source of energy, so you don’t have to avoid them. However, removing carbs from your diet can trigger side effects, including fatigue. If too extreme, a low-carb diet can also lead to gastrointestinal problems. The trick is choosing the right kind of carbs.
If you’re doing high-volume exercise, such as long-distance running or cycling, this is the plan for you. You’ll consume macros designed for the slender ectomorphic body type (lack of muscle, lack of fat), whether you are a natural ectomorph or not. Even if your body type is more mesomorphic, you’re more likely to reach this goal if you follow an ectomorphic-style diet that includes proportionally more carbohydrates, less fat, and moderate protein.
The idea that everyone has a body type comes from William Herbert Sheldon, MD, PhD, the late psychologist who developed what are called “somatotypes" in the 1940s. If you’ve been eating a nutritious diet and exercising, you still may not be getting the results you’re looking for. Precision Nutrition is a company that certifies health and fitness professionals, and their experts are excellent resources for breaking down diet trends in an honest way.
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Mesomorphs - balanced diet with no food groups eliminated
If you are a mesomorph, you can follow a balanced diet with no food groups eliminated. This means you can eat a variety of foods and still achieve your health and fitness goals.
Mesomorphs are typically physically active and have a naturally athletic build. They have a balanced body composition with muscle and fat and are able to build muscle easily.
A balanced diet for mesomorphs should include all food groups in appropriate portions. This means eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
It is important to note that everyone's body is different and may require adjustments to this general guideline. For example, if you are engaging in high-volume exercise, you may need to adjust your diet to include more carbohydrates and less fat.
In general, a balanced diet for mesomorphs should include:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean proteins
- Healthy fats
- Moderate amounts of carbohydrates
- Moderate amounts of protein
- No food groups eliminated
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High-volume exercise - macros designed for slender ectomorphs
If you are an ectomorph, you should focus on compound movements that target multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Exercises like squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and pull-ups help build strength and lean muscle mass but also promote the release of growth hormones, which can be beneficial for ectomorphs. By incorporating these foundational exercises into your routine, you’ll create a solid foundation for muscle growth and overall fitness. These exercises engage large muscle groups and allow you to lift heavier weights, stimulating greater muscle hypertrophy and strength gains. Progressive overload, or the gradual increase of stress placed on your body during exercise, is a fundamental principle for muscle growth and development.
To increase muscle mass, known as muscle hypertrophy, opt for a high volume, moderate weight approach. Repetition range: Aim for 6-12 repetitions per set with moderate to heavy weights. Sets and frequency: Perform 3-4 sets per exercise and train each muscle group 2-3 times per week for good muscle growth. For example, big groups like the back and chest should be trained twice a week (2x back sessions and 2x chest sessions). Progressive overload: Gradually increase the weight lifted or the number of repetitions to keep challenging the muscles.
During hypertrophy training for ectomorphs, focus on using high intensities and high volume. Lifting heavy weights for a lot of reps is important to stimulate muscle growth and protein synthesis. Aim for 3-5 sets per exercise and incorporate 5 total exercises. As you progress through each set, increase the weight and decrease the reps. You can train every muscle group twice per week and include a combination of compound exercises and isolation exercises. Ectomorphs should still include cardio for health benefits, but it’s crucial to use low-intensity sessions only. Do not overdo it and burn excess calories that could be used for gaining muscle.
If you’re doing high-volume exercise such as long-distance running or cycling, this is the plan for you. You’ll consume macros designed for the slender ectomorphic body type (lack of muscle, lack of fat), whether you are a natural ectomorph or not. Even if your body type is more mesomorphic, you’re more likely to reach this goal if you follow an ectomorphic-style diet that includes proportionally more carbohydrates, less fat, and moderate protein. This plan is also ideal if you are or think of yourself as a “hard gainer,” as you need ectomorphic-style eating to consume enough calories to overcome your body’s resistance to putting on weight / muscle.
High-calorie nut butters can also be an easy way for ectomorphs to add calories to their diet. They also need plenty of muscle-building protein, and should almost always have a post-workout protein shake. In short, they need quality calories – and plenty of them! A balanced diet, on the higher end of carbs, is probably your best dieting approach if you’re an ectomorph. You can see the best macros for an ectomorph to gain weight by u.
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Body type diet - focus on nutrient-rich whole foods
The body type diet is based on the idea that everyone has a body type and that you can maximise your body's strengths and correct any weaknesses by following your somatotype. The somatotype was developed in the 1940s by William Herbert Sheldon, MD, PhD, a late psychologist.
The body type diet is safe because it focuses on nutrient-rich whole foods, is balanced, and doesn't eliminate any one food group. It is based on the idea that endomorphs are less able to tolerate carbohydrates, so the best diet for your body type may be one with a higher fat and protein intake and a lower carbohydrate intake, such as the paleo diet or keto diet. This diet can help you lose body fat while keeping your energy level up. However, you don't have to avoid carbohydrates. Carbs are an excellent source of energy. Removing carbs from your diet can trigger side effects, including fatigue. If too extreme, a low-carb diet can also lead to gastrointestinal problems. The trick is choosing the right kind of carbs.
If you’re doing high-volume exercise, such as long-distance running or cycling, you should consume macros designed for the slender ectomorphic body type (lack of muscle, lack of fat). Even if your body type is more mesomorphic, you’re more likely to reach this goal if you follow an ectomorphic-style diet that includes proportionally more carbohydrates, less fat, and moderate protein. This plan is also ideal if you are or think of yourself as a “hard gainer,” as you need ectomorphic-style eating to consume enough calories to overcome your body’s resistance to putting on weight/muscle.
If you’re looking for a new way to approach a diet and exercise program, following your somatotype may be a way to maximise your body’s strengths and correct any weaknesses. However, there is a general lack of scientific data that supports this type of program.
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Frequently asked questions
The best diet for an endomorph is one with a higher fat and protein intake and a lower carbohydrate intake. This diet can help you lose body fat while keeping your energy level up.
The best diet for an ectomorph is one that includes proportionally more carbohydrates, less fat, and moderate protein. This plan is also ideal if you are or think of yourself as a “hard gainer”, as you need ectomorphic-style eating to consume enough calories to overcome your body’s resistance to putting on weight / muscle.
The best diet for a mesomorph is one that includes proportionally more carbohydrates, less fat, and moderate protein.
If you’re looking for a new way to approach a diet and exercise program, following your somatotype may be a way to maximize your body’s strengths and correct any weaknesses. That said, there is a general lack of scientific data that supports this type of program. The upshot is that it is safe because it generally focuses on nutrient-rich whole foods, is balanced, and doesn’t eliminate any one food group.