Best Ectomorph Diet for Sculpting an Athletic Body

2 minutes read -
Shannon Terrell
Written by
A young man sitting at a restaurant with healthy food on the table
Table of Contents
Highlights: What does a typical ectomorph diet look like? This guide offers all you need to know about the way ectomorphs can fuel their weight and muscle growth.
Contents

Ectomorphs possess a very unique set of genetic traits. Besides being blessed with a lightning-fast metabolism, they may also encounter difficulty gaining muscle.

So, if you’re an ectomorph looking to eat well for your body type, what does a good ectomorph diet look like?

What Should Ectomorphs Eat?

You have to figure out what a healthy plate of food looks like and what a decent exercise program is for you.

What an ectomorph should eat primarily depends on their goals. Some want to maintain a slender physique, some want to increase endurance, and some are on a journey to gain more muscle mass.

Each of these goals requires a specific ectomorph diet.

Having a quick metabolism means ectomorphs gain the energy they need from carbs in a very short time. When you add an exercise regime to this, you can understand why an ectomorph might have difficulty gaining weight.

What Should an Ectomorph Eat to Gain Weight?

Gaining weight seems like a simple enough equation: you simply eat more calories than you use.

But here’s the catch: ectomorphs need more calories than most to gain weight. But it’s not simply a matter of more. It’s also a matter of quality.

Opt for nutrient-rich snacks like nuts and seeds, as well as fruits and vegetables like bananas, avocados, cauliflower, and broccoli.

Carbs deserve special attention, so they’ll be discussed in detail a bit later.

How much do ectomorphs eat?

Some ectomorphs have such a fast metabolism that they can eat pretty much anything they like and still not gain any weight.

Even though many people (especially endomorphs) will envy them for this, this can be a problem. Without a good meal plan loaded with superfoods, ectomorphs will stay slim until their metabolism drops.

A table full of healthy food for an ectomorph diet

Should Ectomorphs Eat More Carbs?

Absolutely! An ectomorph diet should consist of around 50-60% carbs, so make sure you go with high-quality carbs such as vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds designed to fuel your body in the long term.

To make sure your weight gain is stable and healthy, eat starchy carbs like brown rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and quinoa. For better muscle fiber build-up, don’t forget to include fruits and vegetables like the ones we’ve mentioned above.

These eating suggestions are especially important after a workout. A typical ectomorph workout uses up a lot of glycogen, so make sure to have a follow-up workout meal rich in carbs and proteins.

Key takeaways

Maintaining a balanced diet that contains all the necessary nutrients is essential for ectomorphs who are looking to gain weight and muscle.

This is especially true for those committed to a rigorous workout routine, as they need the right amount of high-quality carbs to build muscle.

Make sure to create an appropriate nutrition strategy for your specific body type, and stick with it to create a long-term healthy lifestyle.

Recommended Free Masterclass For You

How to Eat Your Way to Your Ideal Weight, Extraordinary Health & a Lifetime of Youthful Vitality

Join nutrition expert Eric Edmeades in this free masterclass as he shares game-changing "food philosophy" knowledge, giving you the tools to regain your wellness & vitalityReserve My Free Spot Now

Shannon Terrell

Shannon Terrell

Fact-Checking: Our Process

Mindvalley is committed to providing reliable and trustworthy content. 

We rely heavily on evidence-based sources, including peer-reviewed studies and insights from recognized experts in various personal growth fields. Our goal is to keep the information we share both current and factual. 

The Mindvalley fact-checking guidelines are based on:

To learn more about our dedication to reliable reporting, you can read our detailed editorial standards.