• Get the Flash Player to see this player.
  •  
  • Fill out the form below and I'll send you my Muscle & Six-Pack Video Lessons, absolutely free.


  •  
Vince DelMonte Muscle Building Blog

Muscle Weight Gain Deit – 4000 Calorie Healthy Weight Gain Diet

By Vince On February 24, 2009 Under Muscle Building Diets

While training at the gym today, I noticed that 80% of the guys were lifting weights – I assume they are trying to build muscle.  At least 95% of them don’t compete in bodybuilding or strength events, so I assume they are aesthetic-minded lifters who are striving for a Men’s Health cover model physique.

To experience muscle weight gain, they have adopted the “See Food Diet” which means when you see food, eat it.

My biggest issue is, a lot of these guys are muscular but either have a mini gut or big gut – rarely do you see the full package! My instant thought is this: They are not following a healthy weight gain diet or not doing any cardio.

Recently I heard a locker room conversation between two young guys. One was slightly muscular and shredded.  The other was bulky and huge. The bulky guy says to the shredded guy, “Dude, you may be ripped and have abs but you’ve got no size.  You gotta eat man!”

I felt the critique was unfair and if someone said that to me, I would reply, “Dude, you don’t even look like you lift either – you may have lots of muscle under there but you can’t even tell because it’s covered in fat.” I thought later, most women won’t even notice your size because they’ll be turned off by your belly.

There are many problems that arise when attempting a muscle weight gain diet. Yes, you need a surplus of calories but a healthy weight gain diet at 6000 calories is no more effective than a healthy weight gain diet at 4000 calories (assuming 4000 calories is your goal cals).

It’s like building a house.  If a house requires 4000 bricks to build but you buy 6000 bricks, you’re going to have extra bricks that need to get stored in a storage facility.  That storage facility becomes your gut.

Today’s 4000 calorie muscle weight gain diet is ideal if you weigh between 180-200 pounds.  I have experienced that as soon as you start consuming 4000-6000 calories, no matter how skinny you are, fat gain becomes inevitable. This means that you MUST have some sort of cardio routine to keep your body fat in check.  We’ll discuss that in the future.

Enjoy your 4000 calorie healthy weight gain diet:

6:00 am Breakfast:
1 1/2 cups Yogurt, plain, low fat
6 Egg whites
1 cup Pineapple
1 2/3 tsp Olive, Flax, Hemp or Salmon Oils
3 Eggs, whole
2 slice Whole grain bread

63g P – 81g C – 15g F – Calories: 711

9:00 am Snack:
1 cup Cottage cheese, light/low fat
28 grams Protein powder
1 cup Grapes
3 tbsp Barley
1 oz Sunflower seeds

56g P – 72g C – 15g F – Calories: 647

12:00 pm Lunch:
5 oz Cheese, low or non fat
3 cups Vegetable soup
1 1/3 cups Oatmeal
4 Crackers
12 Peanuts
1 cup Milk, low fat (1%)

63g P – 81g C – 15g F – Calories: 711

3:00 pm Mid Meal:
9 oz Turkey breast, skinless
1 3/4 cups Chickpeas
1/2 cup Mushrooms
1/4 cup Onions
1/2 head Lettuce, iceberg
1 1/2 cups Cherry tomatoes
5 tbsp Almonds, slivered

63g P – 81g C – 15g F – Calories: 711

5:00 pm Dinner:
8 oz Beef, lean cuts
1/2 cup Tomato, puree
2 cups Celery
3 cups Carrots
1 2/3 tsp Olive, Flax, Hemp or Salmon Oils
1 cup Rice
1 cup Milk, low fat (1%)

63g P – 81g C – 15g F – Calories: 711

8:00 pm Snack:
35 grams Protein powder
2 cups Milk, low fat (1%)
2 cups Raspberries
1 1/2 tbsp Barley
1 2/3 tsp Olive, Flax, Hemp or Salmon Oils
49g P – 63g C – 15g F – Calories: 583

Total Daily Portions: Protein: 350g Carbohydrates: 450g Fat: 90g Calories: 4010

Click here if you want a 84-day healthy weight gain diet

Muscle Building

Facebook comments:

34 comments - add yours
Raman

February 25, 2009

Sir,
I am totally vegetarian person and also i want to make my six pack abs and to become muscular person. Please give me vegetarian diet. I am doing weight lifting from the last six months but there is no effect on my body till yet which make me feel that my i am becoming muscular. There is also fat on my waist for which i had done lot of exercises but nothing had happened. The results are same. Please help me out

Adit

February 25, 2009

Hi Vince,
I have been following ur articles for around 2 -3 weeks now,
Infact have been motivated by ur videos to dare go to the gym again (After a gap of around 6 years).
I am like the other bulky guy in ur conversation.

I wolud like to follow the above mentioned diet.
But, the problem is I am and Indian and a vegeterian

So no turkey breast or egg whites for me.
Can you specify a diet plan in pure veg.

I would also like to get rid of the beer belly (I don’t even drink)
I am going to start follow ur best-ab-exercises-new-sample.pdf in a couple of days after all my muscels have been flexed and all the pain goes away ;)
Thanks
Adit Malik

Andrew Tan

February 25, 2009

I am under weight and weighs about 50kg standing at 1.72m. What kind of calorie weight gain diet do you recommend?

Eason

February 25, 2009

Hi Vince, i know this is a good weight gain diet plan, but i’m pretty sure that some of the readers were asian. My point is, do you have any food diet plan for asian people? like any asian food??

adil

February 25, 2009

HELLO VINCE
I WANTED TO ASK YOU 1 PERSONAL QUESTION WHICH I THINK EVERYONE WANTS TO ASK WHICH IS THAT
“DOES MASTERBATION HAVE ANY EFFECT ON BODYBUILDING”
I AM ASKING ABOUT POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE OR NO EFFECT PLEASE TELL ME AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE THANKS.
I AM 17 YR OLD WITH 8 PACK ABS AND I HAVE EVERY MUSCLE CUT IN THE WORLD BUT LOOKING FOR SIZE.

Andrew

February 25, 2009

…4000 diet…what if my body do not accept chicken eggs ( digestion problem), how to go around this ?

Cedarholt

February 25, 2009

HEMP oil? This is for cooking the eggs? Isn’t it loaded with THC? Are the laws different in Canada. or something???

Gunner

February 25, 2009

Hello Vince!
Thank you for the free gift UDT and 4000 cal.meal plan.
Vince, my body fat percentage is low and should I still do bodyweight exercises?
And before doing bodyweight exercises should I take protein shake?
Thank you in advance!

Steve

February 25, 2009

Vince -

I read your diet listed below.
I’m trying to go on “raw food” (vegan) diet mostly because I’m alergic to ALL dairy, eggs, wheat, mushrooms, tomatoes, and a bunch of other things.

What foods can I substitute?

I also see that you suggest oatmeal late in the afternoon. I usually eat it in the mornings.

I work nights and sleep during the day. My “shift” starts at 11:00 pm, so I get up at about 9 PM to get ready for my job. Should I follow this diet the way it is or in the reverse order?

– Steve

Jeremi Emond

February 26, 2009

me i can eat over 10 000 calories per day but cant get anything, try to lift some weiths but getting tired fast and hurt alot, got near no muscle, 4% bady fat, and 6.1 feet tall. Anything im doing giving me near nothing. Eathing healty all the time and alot of calories. And even all i eat i still can lose 5 lbs per day just having a headhake. Or losing 1 lbs for doing nothing. I realy need help me there is near no gym in a range of 30 km. I got 17 years old also. Realy wish to get a 6 pack and more bigger arm. I saw my sister boyfriend and hes arm are near bigger then my leg… Please help me any1 that is near same as me. Near sure im more skinny that was vince at school and me there calling me tutpick. No one hit me for fun they are all afraid to break me something. Please email me any tips at e7e2n1@hotmail.com i realy apreciat that.

Replye7e2n1@hotmail.com i realy apreciat that.’); return false;”>Quote
Josh

February 26, 2009

Yo vince i don’t even like eggs, yet i eat them, i especially dont like egg whites.. i make omeletes here and there but i still hate em

what can i replace them with? their the biggest flaw in my mealplans

Chris Schrauth

February 28, 2009

My son just turned 15. He is a freshman who plays football and lacrosse. He’s about 5′9″ but only 130 lbs. He’s very fast but needs to be at least 160 or so for football season. I’m working with a local high school coach on a training program that will make him bigger and stronger but won’t compromise his speed. Could you recommend a weight training and diet program to achieve these goals.

Thx, Chris Schrauth

adil

March 10, 2009

Does masterbation have any effect on bodybuilding or building muscle????

Michael Woody

March 20, 2009

Hey Vince,

I’m a big fan of your work. The biggest question I have is regarding diet. I know diets are a highly individualized thing and in regards to this diet, and you obviously wouldn’t write something if you didn’t believe in it,but what is your general opinion on protein intake. You have here 350 grams of protein for individuals 180-200. Should you set a diet based on macro nutrient splits or use the 1.0-1.5 grams per lb. rule. Your split comes out here to be 45% carbs, 35% protein, and 20% fat. It’s kind of a maddening thing to hear all these opinions from people on protein and diet. I just recently used a diet close to this with 4600 clean calories at 170 and 8% BFI. The split was 50/30/20 and I lost weight and got insanely ripped(5-6%),but got bigger. Then I got a little worried about protein intake and dropped it down and kept the work the same,but gained all the weight back,but it was more bodyfat(up to 11%) than I’ve ever been used to in the past. I freaked out too and dropped the calories to 4000 because of it. Your opinion would be insightful.

Amar

April 17, 2009

Hi Vince
This is Amar, I want to ask one thing that would you please tell me Egg White is better or the whole Egg is better for muscles building.
Thanks
loveamar123@yahoo.co.in
amarnath.mishra@vedanta.co.in

smith

April 25, 2009

Adil,
Don’t do it.

Matt

August 3, 2009

Hey Vince,
I am 6′0″ and I weigh a 125 pounds (probably soakin’ wet). I have a super fast metabolism, eat alot (mostly fastfood) I was going with your advanced weight gain plan, the 4000 calorie diet. Here recently I have changed my eating habits and started going to the gym and lifting weights. I want to bulk up as soon as possible. Do you have any advice for a beginner like me?

Matt

August 3, 2009

I know this is completely off the wall, for what is stated here. I do apologize, but do you know of any awesome bigger fore-arm buliding exercises? Also, what are some names of Protein powders brands at GNC that would be okay to get? I want to go all natural 100% Whey and Casein, or as close as I can get at least. Look forward to hearing from you soon.

sri

August 19, 2009

hi vince,
i am male ,age 27,height of 5′7 and a weight of 141lbs ,i m working out from past 1 month.i have a good body shape as i am a sports oriented person ,but i dont have perfect size and a six pack for which i have started weight training.right know i have started the following diet

morning 7.30am honey with warm water
8.30am 2 slice wheat bread with 3 egg white
12.00pm fruit juice 150ml
2.00pm 2 wheat chapathi or bread ,1 cup rice
4.00pm tender coconut
6.00pm digestive biscuits with 2 banana
7-00pm to 8.30pm workout
8.45 pm protein powder
10.00pm 2 wheat chapathi or bread, 3 egg white
11.00pm apple and 2 banana

i request you to tell me whether my
1)diet is corect for me or not?
2) should i have my protein shake before my workout or after?
3)should i lift heavy weights or should i go for more reipitions from less weight?

waiting for ur response

Julio

August 19, 2009

Is it ok to take the 6 egg whites and the 3 whole eggs without cooking them? just to open them on a glass of milk or juice and drink’em up???? or do you recomend to cook them?

Vince

August 19, 2009

Julio, I would cook them!

Vince

August 19, 2009

Sri, add more variety. Take out some bread and put potatoes or beans in instead. Mix up the fruit too. More berries.

sri

August 20, 2009

what abot my 2nd and 3rd question
@Vince -

survivordean

August 24, 2009

Expensive Weight Gain Diet but worth trying. Grapes and Raspberries are pricey here in the Philippines. Any alternatives?

Jonathan

September 1, 2009

@survivordean

find out what nutrients are in in grapes and raspberries, then find a cheap alternative. simple.

Lucian

September 2, 2009

im 14 6″3 and 170 lbs and around 9% bf is it okay to use this diet because i have 2 basketball practices a day

William

September 24, 2009

Hey Vince,

Great website! I got a quick question for you.

I’m a 18 year old male and I weigh 155 lbs with 13% bf and I’m 5 feet 8.5 inches tall. I do martial arts four times a week each session lasts 60-90 min and I lift weights 3 times a week. I have been lifting weights for 5 months. My new goal is to gain some muscle and reach 180 lbs, so should I consume 4000 calories or do you recommend something else?

Thanks

shawn

October 30, 2009

I like the artical but I’m a bit confused. Based on your calculations I would be closer to 3000 kcal per day, but on the advanced weight gain it has me over 4000, so will those extra 1000 calories push me over the top for musle gains, turn me into a blob or both?

suzan

March 3, 2010

nice article about egg white…very informative and beneficial for me..thx

joshua

March 9, 2010

i do it but it would cost alot of money to get food so i couldnt get 4k calories without enough everyday i work out alot. what could i do?

joshua

March 9, 2010

can anyone tell me a cheaper way to get 4k calories each day and whats the best workout i can do? during weight lifting to be a good body builder?

nonwe

June 23, 2010

well their are sacrifices that need to me made. How much do you want this. Your nationality or food preference shouldnt hold you back, start small and work your way up. good luck

ben foley

August 28, 2010

@sri@Jeremi Emond

if ur looking for size ur (mammoth 2500) 970calories per serving and you can have it 3 times a day, you should know i your diet is good for you or not because you will see improvements, it is etter to have your protien shake after your workout, you will find out youself everybody is different some people get bigger with heavy weights and low reps while others get bigger with light weight and high reps, personally i start out light then increase th weight each set because the light weight will increase your heartrate.

ben.

ben foley

August 29, 2010

@joshua

mammoth 2500

it has 970 calories per serving and you can have it up to 3 times a day, thats almost 3000calories and all you did was hav 3 drinks, it also has 50g protien per serving

hope i helped and good luck

ben.