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good foods to gain lean muscle.

I'm a 3 sport athlete. I do football, basketball, and track. I weigh 155 lbs, I'm 5 ft 7in. I just want to know what are good foods to gain lean muscle? Or what is a good diet to switch to? A day what should my calorie intake me because in very active.
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Avatar universal
I did read what you wrote, really I did.  As usual, you copied some website and didn't respond to the posted question, so I have of often offer something that I didn't just read on someone's website.  Cacao in the quantity necessary to give you proper magnesium has too much of what you stated, which is speed.  Yeah, speed will help you recover, but if you want to go that route why not just take speed?  Or drink a huge cup of coffee?  So unless you're guzzling cacao by the pounds, you're not getting much magnesium from it, but you're still doing milk.  And only a couple ethnic groups on the planet have the lactase necessary to digest it and it still has too much calcium to magnesium ratio.  Yes, yogurt is better than milk if it's a very high quality and expensive yogurt, and yes, Greek style yogurt (although if you've been to Greece or the Middle East, what's sold here as Greek yogurt is, well, not).  But it's still a lot of dairy when there are so many alternatives to eat that are much better for you.  There's a whole lot of cultured food out there.  If you want a drink that stimulates you after working out, and I don't know why you would, I'd think you'd want that before working out, not after, then I'd suggest green tea, which has the caffeine cacao has but also is balanced with relaxants that won't leave you tense.  Why spend all that time working out to burn off tension only to follow it up with something speedy?  And green tea is also loaded with antioxidants.  And by the way, cacao wasn't used as a food until pretty recently in history, it was used as a medicinal herb and stimulant but without processed sugar cane it was way too bitter for people to just eat.  Oh, what's the use.
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Avatar universal
Pax, you're reading but not paying attention to what is stated!

Cacao has been consumed for its invigorating and healthy properties for generations in Mexican, Central and South American cultures. Cacao powder is one of the richest sources antioxidants found in nature. It also provides important minerals including magnesium and iron. Separated from the oily cacao butter, cacao powder is also a concentrated form of healthy dietary fiber. All raw cacao products contain the unique alkaloid chemicals theobromine, phenylethylamine and anandamine.
Navitas Naturals Cacao Powder is a delicious natural health food loaded with antioxidants. Pure cacao powder also contains a good dose of magnesium.

Cacao is a healthy food, not a miracle drug. These statements herein have not been reviewed by the FDA. Navitas Naturals products are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.

Greek yogurt has almost double the protein of regular yogurt. Eight ounces of Greek yogurt has about 20 grams of protein, whereas regular yogurt provides around 11-13 grams. Greek yogurt's high protein content makes it a favorite among people trying to manage their weight as it helps ward off hunger.

Carbohydrates - Greek yogurt has fewer carbohydrates than regular yogurt. This could be beneficial to diabetics, who have to watch their carbohydrate intake.  

Calcium - Regular yogurt has about three times the calcium of Greek yogurt. Both are still considered good sources of calcium, but women who don't get enough calcium from other foods may want to stick to regular yogurt for its bone-building benefits.
Greek yogurt has half the sodium of regular yogurt.

Calories - Plain, nonfat versions of Greek and regular yogurt have a similar calorie count per serving, but added sugars can significantly increase the calories of either variety.

Texture - Greek yogurt is much thicker and creamier than regular yogurt because it's strained more. Greek yogurt can also be used in cooking as it does not curdle when heated like regular yogurt. Kefir and unsweetened yogurt are acceptable in moderation for those who are not allergic to milk. They are easier on the stomach as the lactose and proteins in the milk have been broken down by beneficial bacteria and/or yeasts.

Organic, free-range animals that are fed a natural diet such as grasses instead of grains and hormones contain more omega-3 fats. Having more room to roam freely, they are also leaner and contain less saturated fats.

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Avatar universal
I meant healthy foods.  By the way, in addition to being pro-inflammatory, milk is very high in calcium but almost deficient in magnesium, producing an electrolyte imbalance and leaching out muscle-relaxing magnesium.  Definitely not a good recovery drink.
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Avatar universal
Well, let's see. Greek style yogurt isn't any different than any other yogurt, it just tastes different.  And most commercial yogurt has no probiotics at all as they're killed during pasteurization.  Only the better health food store yogurts have them as they're added back in after pasteurization.  Beef and dairy are pro-inflammatory, and neither are true foods -- the only dairy for humans is mother's milk and no mammal tries to force freed other animal's milk to adults.  Beef is a human invented food -- okay once in awhile but very hard to digest.  Grass fed buffalo or deer or lamb or any other real animal is better and naturally very low in fat.  Chocolate milk is a fad right now and will fade like all other fads.  It is neither healthy or useful, and it's just drinking milk, which builds mucous and inflammation in most people.  Come on, there's so many health foods to choose from out there, folks!  
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Avatar universal
Technically, Quinoa is  a seed, this protein contains a complete set of branch chain and essential amino acids,  it's a tissue and muscle-building powerhouse. Its nutritionally  better than most grains, try to have one cup a week, alternating it with other healthy starches such as sweet potatoes and brown rice, It's a great breakfast cereal, when flavored with cinnamon.
Grass fed beef, that's a muscle enhancer the problem is the majority of cattle are grain fed, that gives their meat a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. That contributes to inflammation.Grass fed beef contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), studies show it helps reduce belly fat and build lean muscle. Try to have two six to eight ounce lean cuts a week.
Nonfat Ricotta, is made from whey,it's high in amino acids, which speed muscle recovery after a workout. Put half a cup in a blender with skim milk and fruit for a postworkout.
Lentils, They're packed with protein and B vitamins and zinc. Eat half a cup twice a week.
Eggs,  studies have proved that the fat in the yolk is important to keep you satiated, and the benefits of the minerals and nutrients in the yolk outweigh its cholesterol effect. Eggs have the most nutrients for the fewest calories. Eggs contain choline, a B vitamin that studies have linked to improved brain function. Eat three or four times a week for breakfast or as a protein alternative at other meals.
Greek style yogurt, It provides muscle friendly protein and probiotics that keep your digestive tract healthy and your immune system in top form.  The Greek variety is thicker than regular yogurt, so it has more protein, and it's sweeter and heartier. Mix eight ounces with fruit for breakfast.
Quorn, It's composed of a compound similar to mushroom protein. mycoprotein, it's a quality protein without unhealthy animal fat. If you're a vegetarian, put it at the top of your list." Quorn is also lower in calories than chicken and turkey, try to get six ounces a day.
Chocolate Milk, is actually good for you. It's one of my favorite postexercise recovery drinks because it contains whey protein, which helps muscles recover and repair Plus, it tastes great while boosting calcium and vitamin D, which research shows is important for preserving cartilage and joint health. A 2006 study in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism found that it is as good as or better than Gatorade for replacing glucose in fatigued muscles. Drinking one large glass after you work out will boost muscle growth and speed recovery. I buy Cacao powder organic raw and add it to my protein drink.
Wild Salmon, High in inflammation fighting omega 3s, wild red or sockeye salmon canned or fillet. NFL probes suggest that many teams including the Bengals and the Giants serve it to players to lock in strength gains and fuel performance.

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Avatar universal
If you're a good enough athlete to have serious potential there are sports nutritionists who can help you better than we can.  But basically, lean protein plus weight training gives you the muscle, carbs the quick energy.
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