5 Protein Foods Pro Bodybuilders Use to Get Big and Ripped

Protein is king if you want to become a professional bodybuilder--when broken down, protein helps build new muscle tissue and repair damaged tissues. But which protein sources do professional bodybuilders favor to get big? Here are the foods the pros use to get big and ripped:

Egg Whites
Egg whites are an excellent--and fat-free--source of complete proteins, which bodybuilding pros often use to meet their protein goals. Bodybuilder Phil Heath, who recently won the 2011 Mr. Olympia, reportedly starts his day with 2.5 cups of egg whites, which contains over 60 grams of muscle-building protein. Most bodybuilders shy away from egg yolks, afraid the extra fat content could affect their physiques. More information about Phil Heath's diet can be found on MetRX.com.

Chicken Breasts
Former Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman loves his chicken breasts--BSNOnline.net reports he eats up to two pounds of chicken breasts daily. Nutritionally, chicken breasts an excellent source of protein with little saturated fat, containing 104.4 grams of protein per pound. Many male and female bodybuilders have a daily serving of chicken to help them meet their macronutrient goals.

Buffalo Meat
Ever thought of fueling up with buffalo meat? Former Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler reportedly ate buffalo meat as part of his diet during the 2009 season, reports Bodybuilding.com. In fact, turning to buffaloes instead of cows is now becoming a trend--on average, buffalo meat contains far less fat, making it ideal for bodybuilders watching their fat intake. On the down side, buffalo meat is more expensive, and can put a pretty dent in your wallet.

Steak
For a heaping of fat and protein, IFBB pro Dexter Jackson eats plenty of steak, a common protein source for bodybuilders. On average, four ounces of steak yields around 212 calories, 7.5 grams of fat, and a whopping 34.2 grams of protein. More muscle mass means a higher protein intake, and adding steak to your diet is an easy way to meet your protein AND fat requirements. IFBB pro Kai Greene also favors steak to get big and ripped.

Protein Shakes
When it's difficult to fit a meal into your busy lifestyle, supplementation, in the form of protein shakes, can help you meet your calorie and protein needs. Former Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates reportedly consumed two protein shakes per day as part of his pre-contest diet, according to CoreyArsenault.com. Though you shouldn't make this a habit--real food is best--protein shakes are an excellent way to add protein to your diet on-the-go.

More from this contributor:

Culver's 5 best foods for high-protein diets

The 4 toning exercise mistakes most women make

Health benefits of a Korean diet

References:
MetRX.com
BSNOnline.net
Bodybuilding.com
CoreyArsenault.com