6 Foods That Help Increase Muscle Mass and Support Strength

whole foods also provide nutrients that isolated protein powders may lack.

Think of supplements as a convenience rather than the foundation of your diet.

## Training Is Just as Important as Food

Eating muscle-building foods without resistance training will not automatically produce significant muscle growth.

Effective training generally involves gradually increasing the challenge placed on your muscles through exercises such as:

 

* squats
* presses
* rows
* pull-ups
* lunges
* deadlift variations
* resistance-machine exercises

This progressive challenge gives the body a reason to build stronger muscle tissue.

## Sleep and Recovery Matter More Than Many People