Protein is essential for building muscle mass. Anyone who is serious about lifting weights and nutrition knows the importance of protein. There are several sources of protein and one of the most talked about is beef. The simple reason is beef is usually higher in fat as compared to chicken, turkey and fish. A great way people like eating beef apart steak is hamburgers but are hamburgers good for bodybuilding? Here are 7 good reasons to add hamburgers to your diet:

Bulking up

Hamburgers are traditionally made using ground beef and ground beef contain fat meaning more calories, for example a double patty hamburger contains 354 calories including 6 grams saturated fat and 7 grams monounsaturated fat. Since hamburgers contain a good amount of calories, they make a great bulking food and yes they are indeed good for bodybuilding primarily for people who are bulking up instead of cutting.

For hardgainers and skinny guys, hamburgers can be easily added to their diet. Of course, moderation is key, you don't want to eat hamburgers everyday as healthwise it's not the healthiest protein source due to the saturated fats but it sure won't hurt to eat them from time to time or every other day.

Good amount of protein

Protein is the building block of muscle growth and hamburgers contain a great amount of protein to promote and sustain muscle mass. A double patty hamburger easily gives 20 grams of protein.

Vitamins B-6 and B-12

People who partake in high intensity workouts need these vitamins. Vitamin B-12 help increase energy levels, assist in exercise performance and muscle recovery. B-6 vitamin breaks down carbohydrates to provide energy and burn fat. Not having enough of these vitamins can be detrimental for your bodybuilding goals.

Zinc and iron

Zinc is a vital mineral which helps protein synthesis and building muscles. In addition, it boosts your immune system and prevents fatigue as well. Iron is an essential mineral whose goal is to produce red blood cells to transport oxygen to your working muscles.

Boost testosterone levels and human growth hormones(HGH)

Beef naturally increases testosterone levels and human growth hormones which help in building more muscle mass.

Affordable

Hamburgers are considered a budget meal as they are affordable, so it's pretty convenient for people with a tight budget but who still want to follow a bodybuilding nutrition.

Delicious

A typical bodybuilder's diet can rather be plain and boring, for example brown rice and bland chicken breast, so having hamburgers from time to time can break the monotony. Let's face it, eating foods that you don't really enjoy day in day out can be pretty demotivating for many. Why not have some juicy and delicious hamburgers to keep you motivated in pursuing your nutrition routine?

Hamburgers are best made using the following cuts of beef:

Chuck - 78-84% lean
Round - 85-89% lean
Sirloin - 90-95% lean

To have juicy hamburgers, you still need a bit of fat, going 100% lean won't usually yield the best hamburgers as they tend to be dry and may even fall apart if you don't use binding agents like breadcrumbs and eggs.

To make your hamburgers even tastier, instead of plain salt, you can also add onion powder, garlic powder, fresh/dried herbs, mustard, worcestershire sauce, sundried tomatoes, paprika, cayenne pepper and so on. The possibilities are endless.