When it comes to nutrition, what you put in your body matters, especially if you are trying to build muscle. While some foods may appear to be the same, especially in name, they are not necessarily the same food. Just because name on the packaging says oatmeal, not all oatmeal is the created equal.

When I was younger, I used to eat Quaker Oats instant oatmeal, you know, the ones that come in a packet and you put in the microwave. I was doing this because I had always heard that eating oatmeal was a healthy choice and would help in my pursuit to build muscle.

What I didn’t realize, however, was just how much sugar one packet contained - 14 grams. Now consider the fact that I was eating two packets for breakfast every day, that is a whopping 28 grams of sugar. That is 10 grams less than a can of Coca-Cola.

If you want to build muscle and stay lean in the process, you have to make the right choices on what foods you put in your body to help support that muscle growth and fat loss. Consuming large amounts of sugar and calories is going to lead to weight gain and potentially metabolic disorders.

In order to combat this and to help your fitness pursuits, you want to opt for whole foods that are high in nutritional value. When it comes to oatmeal, choosing steel cut oats over instant oats which are loaded with sugar is the choice you want to make.

For more tips on how to lock in your nutrition so you can build muscle and burn fat, be sure to stay tuned to this channel and remember to subscribe so that you never miss another video from a physical therapist with a pro sports background as a PT and strength coach.

You can subscribe to this channel here - http://bit.ly/2b0coMW

For complete step-by-step workout programs, head on over to athleanx.com and make sure to use the program selector to find the training plan that is best suited to your personal goals.

Jeff Cavaliere MSPT, CSCS served as both the head physical therapist and assistant strength coach for the New York Mets. Jeff earned his Masters of Physical Therapy and Bachelor’s of Physioneurobiology from the College of Health Sciences University of Connecticut Storrs. He is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).