When you're in a bulking phase aiming for gains in mass, do you have to eat as clean as you would for a cutting phase?
I've heard people say that you should eat fairly clean but make sure you eat loads. So does it have to be as clean as when you do a cutting phase?

My main reason for asking is that I'm 16 years old, so it kinda goes "against the grain" to cook my own meals in the evening instead of having mum's cooking. (I did this when I was cutting, and made a big batch of stir fry which I froze and reheated in small portions each night). Would it make that much difference if I stopped doing that and had mum's cooking? (eg. potato meals, pasta, curries, caseroles, oven chips, pizzas, salads). She makes a wide range of things basically.

Also, does it really matter if some meals are bigger than others when you're bulking, as long as you're still eating 6 every day?

(I posted in two different parts of the forum as I didn't know who best to ask).

i see where your coming from.
The facts are, the cleaner the bulk diet... the less fat you'll gain (and you'll get better gains too).
Even with that being said, eating a little more 'cheat' food is definatley less punishing.

Eating alot of completley clean food is great for bulking, but it is tougher to follow to most people (especially first timers). Not only that, but it can be crazy expensive.
Not to sound contradictive, but my advice would still be to eat as clean as possible. It'll be more beneficial in the end when you have less body fat to burn off and spend less time doing it (also reducing burning muscle while cutting).

If your mom makes a good dinner for you tho, eat it . Especially if its hearty and wholesome. She put the effort of cooking the food to put on your plate...eat it!. If its things like potatoes and salads etc then u got nothn to lose

I fully agree with Stalefish. The better you eat while bulking, the less fat you will have to worry about losing afterwards.

Once again you gave me the answer I wanted . I think I'm still gonna make a salad up for my lunch at school though, the food they have there is crap and stupidly expensive. And I'll probably stay off the takeaway stuff whenever my mum decides to get some, but otherwise I guess I'll just eat what she makes.

yeah i know what u mean.

I agree with what the other's said: the cleaner the diet, the less fat you will gain. For me when I am in a mass gaining phase I find it sooo hard to eat all those calories in just clean foods so I have some treats sometimes.

Good luck to you building up the muscles.

Sarah

Man, you guys are in luck. I got to loose weight and gain racks at the same time. I already have a program, but I would still like to hear what you have to say. What can you recommend me?