Foods to Eat and Avoid During a Steroid Cycle

Injecting yourself with steroids is not enough to build muscle; a proper diet is also necessary. You have to go for a good diet plan to get the maximum benefits of the steroid cycle.

Steroids give a boost to your muscle-building goal. But you should not forget the importance of a healthy diet plan. Consider consuming lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits with antioxidants, and necessary vegetables that support the growth of muscle.

Try to avoid sugar-rich food or processed food that gives you energy fast. But these types of fast energy-giving foods are also a good source of easy body fats. It can increase the side effects of using AASs, such as bloating and weight gain.

Let’s see why nutrition matters the most during a steroid cycle​.

Why Nutrition Matters During a Steroid Cycle

Professional bodybuilders take anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) to boost muscle growth. These steroids go through the bloodstream and get attached to androgenic receptors in muscle tissue. Interacting with the cell DNA, the steroids enhance the protein synthesis process. As a result, muscles grow and help bodybuilders achieve their fitness goals.

During the cycle of steroids​, you have to increase protein intake; otherwise, the increased protein synthesis due to AASs will not be effective. Besides, nutrient-rich and protein-packed foods are necessary to support health recovery and muscle growth. 

Key Health Metrics Affected During Steroid Use:

Metric	Steroid Impact	Nutritional Focus
Liver enzymes	Elevated	Antioxidants, low toxins
Blood pressure	May increase	Low sodium, more potassium
Water retention	High with some steroids	Low-sodium, natural diuretics
Cholesterol	Negative shift	Healthy fats, omega-3s

Table 1: Health Impact of Using Steroids

Now that you know the possible health impacts of anabolic-androgenic steroids, you should also know the foods that you need to avoid.

Foods and Substances to Avoid During a Steroid Cycle

If you know the foods that you need to avoid, you will have a better result from the anabolic steroids cycles. Let’s look at the following table to get a clear idea of what foods you need to avoid.

Avoid	Examples	Why It’s Harmful
Alcohol	Beer, spirits	Liver strain impairs recovery
Processed Sugars	Candy, soda, pastries	Increases fat gain, insulin spikes
Excessive Sodium	Processed meats, chips, canned soup	Raises blood pressure, bloating
Saturated/Trans Fats	Fried food, margarine	Elevates LDL, heart risk
Artificial Additives	Preservatives, food dyes	Burden on liver detox pathways
High-Caffeine Drinks	Energy drinks, strong coffee	Can overstimulate the heart on the cycle

Table 2: Negative Impact of Foods on Your Health During Steroid Cycle

Carl Grunfeld, a professor of medicine at the University of California, suggests that even though bodybuilders use anabolic steroids, they damage the heart and liver significantly. You would better use the anabolic steroids at a safe dose and avoid foods that put more stress on your heart and liver.

Let’s see why you should not use them during your cycle.

1. Processed & Sugary Foods

During your steroid cycle (bulking or cutting), consuming zero-fiber carbohydrates will increase the fat percentage in your body. Foods like soda, candies, pastries, and processed snacks get digested easily and instantly spike blood sugar. As soon as the food gets digested, you feel hungry and need more food to keep yourself satiated.

Instead, you should consume fruits and vegetables that are high in fibre. Oats, natural sweeteners will keep you full for a long time and won’t spike your blood sugar quickly.

2. Excessive Sodium

Sodium may be an essential element in your diet that helps in your performance as a bodybuilder. However, before a competition, when you need defined muscle, sodium might not be suitable to achieve the goal.

If you consume too much fast food, salty snacks, or canned soups that are high in sodium, it will increase body fat and hinder muscle definition. Besides, too much sodium will increase blood pressure, affecting the intensity of exercise. Your blood pressure will likely be higher if you are on steroids.

3. Alcohol

All the anabolic steroids get digested in your liver, so your liver experiences additional pressure. At the same time, if you consume beer, wine, or liquor, it puts more pressure on your liver. A previously damaged liver due to steroid usage gets more damaged from alcoholic beverages.

So, consuming alcohol will delay the process of liver recovery. Alternatively, you can go for alcohol-free beer or other healthy beverages.

4. Saturated & Trans Fats

Regardless of whether you are in bodybuilding or not, trans fats should be avoided altogether. Through the hydrogenation process, vegetable oil’s shelf life is increased. Hydrogenation changes the chemical structure of the vegetable oil and turns it into trans fats.

You can also find trans fats in natural sources like meat and dairy products in small amounts.

Trans fats increase heart failure risks and increase cholesterol. Besides, it increases body inflammation, which slows down the process of muscle recovery in the post-workout phase.

Instead, you can use olive oil, avocado oil, and others.

5. Overeating “Clean” Foods

Even overeating lean protein can be unhealthy for you during a steroid cycle. If you eat even lean proteins excessively, it harms your body in the following ways: you stress your liver, and excess protein gets converted into fats and is stored in your body. 

So, eat carefully after adjusting your diet, and it should be according to your bodybuilding goal – cutting or bulking.

Foods to Eat During a Steroid Cycle

During the anabolic steroids cycles, you might experience enhanced protein synthesis in your body, but you will need good-quality foods to support your growth. Let’s look at the following table to get an idea of the necessary foods and their health benefits.

Food Type	Examples	Why It Helps
Lean Proteins	Chicken breast, turkey, egg whites	Supports muscle repair & growth
Healthy Fats	Avocados, olive oil, fatty fish	Balances hormones, supports the heart
Complex Carbs	Quinoa, oats, sweet potatoes	Fuel workouts, steady energy
Cruciferous Veggies	Broccoli, kale, cauliflower	Detox support, estrogen control
Antioxidant Fruits	Berries, citrus, pomegranate	Protects the liver, reduces inflammation
High-Fiber Foods	Lentils, brown rice, chia seeds	Supports digestion & cholesterol
Hydration Boosters	Cucumber, coconut water, leafy greens	Reduce water retention, hydrate

Table 3: Necessary Foods and Their Health Benefits

If you are going through anabolic steroid cycles​, you should follow a diet plan that is high in protein and healthy fats. You can also consume carbohydrates in low quantities. Try consuming complex carbohydrates that will give you sustained energy for a long time.

On the other hand, consumption of fats will also help you maintain a steady level of testosterone in your body. It will help you with your muscle growth. Here’s a breakdown: 

1. Lean Proteins

This type of protein does not contain fats and is the best source of protein to gain lean mass. Chicken breast, turkey, fish, and eggs are the best sources of lean protein.

Protein contains amino acids, which are essential for muscle building and repair. Lean protein is an essential food to keep in your diet, regardless of your goal of cutting or bulking. Divide the total protein requirement across 4-6 meals per day to maximise protein synthesis.

2. Complex Carbohydrates

Instead of consuming simple or processed carbohydrates, you can consume complex carbohydrates. Foods like oats, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and whole grains will give you sustained energy and keep you satiated for a long time.

The complex carbohydrates take more time to digest completely. As a result, you will need to consume fewer carbohydrates. If you consume complex carbohydrates as pre- and post-workout meals, you will get the required energy for a long time.

3. Healthy Fats

On the other hand, you should consume healthy fats to improve hormone regulation, inflammation reduction, etc. Consume olive oil, Omega-3 fatty acids, and other sources of healthy fats in your diet.

4. Micronutrient-Rich Vegetables & Fruits

You should also consume micronutrient-rich vegetables and fruits to counter the stress caused by steroids. It will support your liver health and help you function properly during a steroid cycle.

5. Hydration & Electrolytes

Lastly, consume plain water, coconut water, and mixes of electrolytes. The anabolic steroid you consume might cause water retention in your body. If you do not consume plain water in limited quantities, you might not achieve your goal.

Minimum 3-4 liters per day might suffice, but consult a dietitian for a better calculation of your required water.

Sample Day of Eating While on an AAS Cycle

For a safe steroid cycle, the dosage of the anabolic steroid is as important as it is to follow a healthy diet plan. Divide your total protein, carb, and fat requirements over the day. It will reduce pressure on your liver and improve protein synthesis in your body.

Let’s take a look at the following table.

Meal	Food	Macros (Approx.)
Breakfast	6 egg whites + 1 whole egg + oats + berries	40g P / 50g C / 10g F
Snack	Protein shake + banana	30g P / 30g C / 3g F
Lunch	Grilled chicken + quinoa + spinach salad	45g P / 40g C / 15g F
Pre-Workout	Sweet potato + turkey slices	30g P / 40g C / 5g F
Post-Workout	Whey shake + 2 rice cakes + almond butter	40g P / 30g C / 10g F
Dinner	Salmon + brown rice + steamed broccoli	50g P / 40g C / 20g F
Before Bed	Greek yogurt + chia seeds	20g P / 10g C / 10g F

Table 4: Possible Diet Plan for a Day

Along with eating healthy foods, you should also take some supplements to get better results. 

Supplements to Support Nutrition During a Cycle

Food supplements fill the gap in the nutritional requirements of your body. You may be consuming enough protein and vitamins, but if there are any additional needs, supplements will help you.

Supplement	Purpose	Recommended With
Milk Thistle	Liver support	Oral steroids
Omega-3s (Fish Oil)	Heart health, anti-inflammatory	All steroids
NAC	Glutathione booster (detox)	Liver stress reduction
Multivitamin	Fill dietary gaps	All cycles
Creatine	Muscle performance & volume	Bulking cycles
Electrolytes	Reduce cramping, support hydration	Trenbolone, Clenbuterol, etc.

Table 5: Necessary Supplements to Support Your Growth During Steroid Cycle

Bonus Tips for Eating During Cutting vs. Bulking Cycles

During a cycle of bulking or cutting, your diet plan should be different. In the cutting cycle, you slightly put a deficit in the calorie consumption. Keep the fat percentage high in your daily diet and reduce the amount of carbs you consume.

On the other hand, during the bulking cycle, you should increase the amount of protein you consume. The overall calorie consumption should be higher than during the cutting cycle.

Structuring Your Meals for Maximum Results

Let’s look at the following diet plan to get a better result for the goal you have.

• Meal Plan for Bulking: Keep a high amount of carbs, and take sufficient nutrients. Make the diet plan in a way to has a calorie surplus.
• Meal Plan for Cutting: Consume protein-rich foods, and keep fat content moderate. Also, reduce carb consumption in your diet.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

It may be a cutting or bulking cycle, and even professional bodybuilders often make some common mistakes. If you have started to bulk up or are on a journey to cut body fat, do not rely completely on supplements.

Do not ignore consuming fibre-rich whole foods and micronutrients. It will help you in your bodybuilding journey.

On the other hand, if you are on a cutting cycle, refrain from fasting for an extended period. It might have a negative impact on your body. Besides losing fat, you will also lose muscle in your body.

Final Thoughts

Foods play a crucial role during the bulking and cutting cycle. If you eat too many calories while on a steroid cycle to lose body fat, you might not achieve your goals. Besides, it may put pressure on your liver. Moreover, there are some foods like beer, processed meat, carbohydrates, etc. should not be consumed while on a steroid cycle. So, you should go with a reliable diet plan to get the optimum result.

Frequently Asked Questions