Had to share this, one of the emails I got from BPAK...
The 7 best tips you'll ever get for bulking nutrition
1) NEVER stay on a bulk diet that isn't consistently adding weight.
Building muscle is an extreme sport. In knowing this, it is
absolutely necessary to do things to the extreme. Your body is
going to need a large excess of calories if you want any hope of
building muscle. 200-300 calories over maintenance isn't going to
do anything.
2) Eat most of your fats early in the day, and most of your carbs
later in the day.
The longer you can keep your body fueled off fats to start the day
the better for hormone profiles and insulin utilization. Save most
of your carbs for after training and dinner time. If you train late
in the day its ok to have a good sized carb meal 2hrs pre training
but only if your relatively lean already.
3) Increased training volume and frequency is the best way to build
muscle while in a caloric excess.
You've got the extra calories, use them! Overtraining isn't very
likely when your calories are cranked up and your rest is on point.
4) Eat protein every 3 hours
Some people choose to debate this, but the bottom line is that if
you don't consume it, your body will take what it needs from your
tissues.
5) Drink more water.
A hydrated cell is a strong and volumized cell. The more you can
swell your cells while training the more you will set the stage for
new growth.
6) Your body grows in spurts, not linearly.
Planned periods of decreased calories and decreased carbohydrate
consumption can drastically improve function of your cells and
improve performance. Think of it as a "reset" or re-sensitization to
nutrients, and hormones in your body. Once you've adapted to this
short phase, crank up the calories and watch the growth happen.
7) Your training volume, frequency, intensity, and density should
match your nutrient consumption.
Frequency- how often you train each bodypart (every 3-7 days)
Volume- The total number of sets per workout or per week
Intensity- the % of your total max being used. Higher % intensity means heavier loads, closer to max strength and lower rep ranges. Lower % intensity means higher reps.
Density- The amount time between sets. Doing 20 sets in 45 mins is
considered a greater density of workout than doing 12 sets in 45 mins.
Bottom line: Learn how to adjust your nutrient intake to coincide
with each manipulation of these variables.
BONUS TIP: 5 top supplements for growth.
I would say these are essential for maximizing a high calorie
growth phase...
HCL and digestive enzymes (with all large protein meals)
Probiotics (before bed)
Creatine (before and after training)
Whey protein (Never let yourself fall short of your protein goals)
Fish oils (Opt for high EPA fish oil when your training frequency
is high. It will decrease inflammation).
The supplements of choice may be very different on the low calorie
end of a cyclical bulking phase.
Boom! Short and sweet...
Here we grow again.
Coach Ben