Self-taught Bodybuilding Diets Carry Health Risks

Are you one of those people who prefer to create their own diets? You should know that this is a task that should be left to a specialized professional. With their guidance, you'll achieve your goals and, in addition, you won't be putting your health at risk.
Self-taught Bodybuilding Diets Carry Health Risks

Last update: 18 September, 2019

Self-taught bodybuilding diets are much more common than we think. A large number of people decide to strive for their goals autonomously, without resorting to any professional help. However, this is a grave mistake, and it’ll only make getting the results you want more complicated.

Furthermore, in most cases, the body ends up suffering as a result of a poor diet.

In this article, we’re going to explain to you what the main health risks of self-taught bodybuilding diets are. And as you’ll see, the problems can turn into something severe.

Characteristics of bodybuilding diets

The main objective of a bodybuilding diet is to increase muscle mass. These types of dietary plans require patience and perseverance since getting the results you want will take time.

The main consequence of following a poorly planned bodybuilding diet is increasing unwanted body fat. That’s why it’s essential to follow a proper diet plan to gain muscle without increasing body fat.

For a bodybuilding diet to be effective, proteins have to make up an essential part of your daily food intake. Contrary to what many believe, fats and carbohydrates must also be present in your diet. You just have to remember to eat them in small proportions.

You also have to understand that exercising is a fundamental part of achieving your goals. Food and physical effort always go hand in hand; if we put one aside, it’ll be impossible to achieve the body you desire.

Once you’ve reached your goal, your diet should change moderately. This is because the goal is to maintain your current level of fitness and not continue to increase muscle mass.

Proteins for a self-taught bodybuilding diet

Why you should turn to a professional

Many athletes don’t find it necessary to consult a professional to have them plan out their diet for them. Nonetheless, it’s true that nowadays, there are countless web resources on this topic that can be accessed easily, quickly, and are entirely free.

However, most of the information on the web is too general and, despite being very useful; in many cases, it’s not adapted to the specific requirements of each individual.

We’ve already mentioned that a bodybuilding diet should focus on proteins, but we mustn’t forget carbohydrates or fats either. You may have noticed that we aren’t mentioning exact amounts since this can only be decided by a professional based on an analysis of the person attending the consultation.

Each of us has a different metabolism, a different goal that and, above all, unique genetics. Based on these three characteristics, a professional will guide you and design a meal plan specifically tailored to you. This is the best way to maintain an adequate diet and, with some effort and patience, achieve your goals.

Health risks of self-taught bodybuilding diets

So far, we’ve discussed the ineffectiveness of self-taught diets. When they’re not done correctly, body fat tends to accumulate. However, you should also know that the real risks go well beyond the impossibility of achieving your personal goals. Here are some of them:

  • A decrease in pH levels: a high protein intake diet is tremendously harmful to the body. It can lower the pH levels in the body, which can lead to metabolic alterations, kidney problems, or a higher probability of bone breakage.
  • Elevation of uric acid levels: it occurs when large proportions of meat are consumed. That is when gout appears, or more severe problems, such as liver stones can occur.
Training while having a self-taught bodybuilding diet

Conclusion

We hope that after reading this article, you’ll leave aside self-taught bodybuilding diets. Instead, turn to a professional, always.

Professionals have the right training and can tell you what the best eating plan is; moreover, they’ll create one specially designed for you. In addition, they fulfill a motivating role that’ll help you achieve your goals faster and not throw-in the towel halfway.

Finally, you shouldn’t forget that the most important thing is to always put your health first. Don’t risk it for trying to achieve a perfect body or to save money by not consulting a professional. In the long run, this will bring you nothing but problems!


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Rivera, V. M. R. (2008). Propiedades de las proteínas. In Bases de la Alimentación Humana.

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.