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A <\/span>proper nutrition plan<\/span><\/span><\/a> is vital for anyone\u2019s fitness goals, and it\u2019s especially imperative for professional bodybuilders. But, of course, with so many different nutrition plans out there, it can be challenging to figure out the right one for you. The Longevity Muscle Podcast posted a clip on Instagram of <\/span>Philip Ricardo Jr.<\/b><\/a><\/span> explaining if it\u2019s better to do a meal plan or <\/span>If It Fits Your Macros (IIFYM)<\/span><\/a><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Philip Ricardo Jr. is INBA PNBA\u2019s<\/span><\/a>\u00a02021 Natural Olympia\u2019s<\/a><\/span> Men\u2019s Bodybuilding Grand Masters reigning champ. He\u2019s won Natural Olympia on multiple occasions and has been in the sport of natural bodybuilding for decades.\u00a0In the Longevity Muscle Podcast interview, Ricardo Jr. stated:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEveryone is different. I was always pretty lucky because I had the discipline to stay on a basic diet. I don\u2019t need a lot of variety so that I can use chicken breast and fish and brown rice and asparagus the entire prep and not feel crazy. <\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ve tried other protocols and having pop-tarts and things like that, but it just doesn\u2019t work for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n He also said that you shouldn\u2019t be a slave to your nutrition, and you should enjoy life, food, and cheat meals<\/a><\/span>. Ricardo Jr. thinks he\u2019s a carnivore<\/a><\/span> by nature, so he doesn\u2019t mind eating pure, clean foods. He credits being disciplined from a young age and in the military to help him stay on a strict diet. However, he admits to being a sucker for Reese\u2019s Peanut Butter Cups.<\/p>\n Here you can see a clip of Philip Ricardo Jr. discussing his views on IIFYM and meal plans<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n IIFYM means if it <\/span>fits your macros<\/span><\/a><\/span>. As the name suggests, you can eat whatever you want on this diet so long as it fits your nutrition targets \u2013 calories, <\/span>protein<\/span><\/a><\/span>, fats<\/span><\/a>, and carbs<\/span><\/a>. On the other hand, a meal plan is more strict. With a meal plan, you are required to eat certain foods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to Philip Ricardo Jr., a meal plan works best since he doesn\u2019t mind eating the same healthy foods. However, he acknowledges that everyone is different, and he allows himself some sweets during the off-season camp until a month out before shows.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The pro to IIFYM is that you can <\/span>eat your favorite foods as long as your nutrition targets<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 name it cookies, pizza, or Pop-Tarts. You can eat it if you\u2019re still hitting your calorie, protein, carb, and fat targets. Of course, it may not be the most beneficial for your overall health to consume junk foods, so even if you\u2019re following IIFYM, it\u2019s recommended that you consume 80% of your calories from healthier foods, and the remaining 20% can come from whatever you want.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A meal plan is much more strict. And although it can be set up to include some junk foods, a meal plan is eating the same foods repeatedly. The benefit of this is that you will for sure hit your nutrition targets, and it will mainly consist of healthy foods. It makes dieting simple.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In natural bodybuilding, it\u2019s even more essential to be on point with your nutrition. That\u2019s because drugs are prohibited. And without the use of drugs to enhance your physique<\/span><\/a>, you must make sure you are doing everything right with your nutrition to build a competitive body. Leagues such as the INBA PNBA vet their athletes through the most rigorous drug testing procedures \u2013 the <\/span>World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)<\/span><\/a><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Follow us on <\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/span>, <\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Twitter<\/span><\/a><\/span> for more nutrition tips from PNBA athletes! <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
IIFYM Vs. Meal Plans<\/b><\/h3>\n
Nutrition In Natural Bodybuilding\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n