The key to success in bodybuilding is to combine a good muscle building diet with workouts. You can expect good results only by eating the right diet and exercising correctly. This is because your body will be stimulated by exercise, then a good diet provides the correct nutrients to repair and grow the muscles. It is important that you understand that without the diet component of your muscle building quest, you will be very disappointed with your results . 

Here are a few basic muscle building diet tips that can assist with your muscle growth quest : 

1.Eat plenty of Protein – Good Sources of protein are a staple part of the diet of all bodybuilders. Proteins contain amino acids which are the building blocks of your body.  Without amino acids, you would not be able to grow, repair or maintain muscle tissue, which is why protein rich foods are so important. Examples of good proteins are beef, chicken breast,turkey,salmon, tuna and eggs. Excess fat should be removed when selecting meats for protein consumption. The optimal muscle building daily dietary protein intake is probably between 20% and 30% of total calories . 

2. Keep eating Carbohydrates-Carbohydrates ARE an important part of the muscle building diet. Some bodybuilders get it into their heads that the only nutrient responsible for muscle growth is protein. Protein may be chiefly responsible for the repair and rebuilding of muscle tissue but it can only accomplish this task when the other  nutrients are present in the diet. A diet that is deficient in carbs will force the body to break down protein into energy which is not really suitable when trying to build muscle. Only through a diet that includes suitable carb intake can a body get to its optimal muscle building potential. In order to get the best from carbs to help you build muscle and not increase fat it is critical to understand the best type of carbs you should consume. Carbs known as complex types are the preferred foods to eat as they are broken down more slowly in the body resulting in a release of energy that last for longer. The benefit of this can be seen with stronger workouts, fast recovery and a more efficient muscle building process. ,For complex carb foods look at oatmeal, vegetables wholegrain breads, sweet potatoes and brown rice or pasta. For optimal muscle building try and aim for between a carbohydrate intake of 50%-60% of your total daily calories. 

3. Include Healthy Fats– A diet that has adequate levels of the right fats will be great for your health as good fats help the body to gain muscle and decrease body fat levels more effectively. This is because they help keep testosterone levels high that are vital for muscle growth and increases the rate of metabolic reactions in the body resulting in more fat being burned . For good sources of healthy fats opt for oily fish such as salmon or sardines, avocados, monosaturated oils like flaxseed and olive and various nuts (eg walnuts, almonds). The optimal muscle building daily dietary fat intake is probably between 15% and 25% of total calories . .

4. Invest in a quality Whey protein supplement–  In my opinion the only supplement worth taking when building muscle is a whey protein. Although you can get all your protein requirements from natural sources I feel that using a quality whey supplement in addition to natural protein food sources can be beneficial. Whey protein is an ideal body building food as it is easilydigested by the body so is perfect pre or post workout when the muscles are most receptive to protein.By mixing water, fruit juice or milk whey protein can be used in shakes and smoothies. Whey protein can be purchased from health food or body building shop and is a readily available protein. 

It is clear that a balanced,nutrient diet is required for optimal muscle growth. You will experience muscle growth in a very short time if this is combined with an effective muscle building progam.