Fuel Your Fitness Goals with Panda Express' Bodybuilder-Approved Menu

Fuel Your Fitness Goals with Panda Express' Bodybuilder-Approved Menu

Eating healthy and sticking to your fitness goals can be challenging when you're on the go. But contrary to popular belief, you can eat at Panda Express and still meet your bodybuilding needs - whether you're cutting or bulking.

In this post, I'll break down the best Panda Express meals for losing fat or gaining muscle so you can "eat good, feel good, and live life to its fullest."

Why Choose Panda Express for Bodybuilding Meals?

Many bodybuilders write off Panda Express due to the perception that it only serves greasy, unhealthy food. However, their menu is deceptively healthy if you order correctly.

For one, Panda Express uses high-quality ingredients like all-natural chicken, Angus beef, and freshly chopped veggies. They also offer nutrient-dense sides like super greens and brown rice.

With the right combination of protein-packed entrees and wholesome sides, you can easily meet your macros at Panda Express. It's all about knowing what to order.

So whether your goal is to cut body fat or gain lean muscle, Panda Express has you covered. Let's look at some of the best options.

Top Panda Express Meals for Cutting

When you're cutting, the name of the game is consuming fewer calories than you burn. This forces your body to use stored fat for energy, leading to fat loss over time.

To make this easier, you want meals that are high in protein and fiber to keep you full but relatively low in fat and carbs to limit calories.

Here are three amazing Panda Express meals for cutting:

1. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken & Super Greens Bowl

This bowl combines grilled teriyaki chicken with super greens, one of Panda Express' healthiest side dishes.

Here's the nutrition info:

• 365 calories
• 39g protein
• 24g carbs
• 13g fat

With just 365 calories, this meal makes it easy to maintain a calorie deficit. Plus, the high protein from the chicken will keep you satiated.

Customizations:

• Sub regular teriyaki chicken to add flavor and 8g more protein for 65 calories
• Add half a serving of brown rice for an extra 100 calories

2. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken + Beef & Broccoli

Combining grilled teriyaki chicken and beef with broccoli gives you a good protein boost with minimal fat and carbs:

• 660 calories
• 49g protein
• 75g carbs
• 19g fat

The high-volume veggies and protein take longer to digest, keeping you full for hours after eating.

Customizations:

• Sub regular teriyaki chicken to add 8g protein for 65 calories
• Add more broccoli instead of rice to feel fuller

3. Teriyaki Chicken + Black Pepper Steak

Rounding out your meal with steak amps up the protein while adding beneficial fats:

• 785 calories
• 67g protein
• 75g carbs
• 25g fat

The combo of carbs, protein, and fat balances nutrients to control hunger.

Customizations:

• Sub grilled teriyaki chicken to drop 65 calories
• Add more super greens instead of rice

Best Panda Express Meals for Bulking

Bulking requires a calorie surplus to maximize muscle growth. This means increased carbs, protein, and healthy fats compared to cutting.

Shoot for at least 2,800 calories if you strength train regularly. Here are three fantastic bulking meals from Panda Express:

1. Grilled Teriyaki Chicken & Steak + White Rice

This balanced meal gives you plenty of protein from two meats along with starchy carbs to promote weight gain:

• 955 calories
• 62g protein
• 119g carbs
• 20g fat

White rice digests rapidly to deliver an insulin spike, shuttling nutrients into muscles.

Customizations:

• Sub fried rice for extra 200 calories
• Add chow mein instead for a massive 280 calorie boost

2. Teriyaki Chicken & Steak + White Rice

Upping your rice portion further increases calories and carbs:

• 1,020 calories
• 73g protein
• 124g carbs
• 26g fat

Notice the jump in calories and carbs compared to cutting meals while keeping protein high.

Customizations:

• Add brown rice for extra calories and nutrients
• Swap steak for Kung Pao chicken to change up flavors

3. Double Grilled Chicken + Fried Rice

By getting two grilled chicken entrees, you take in plenty of lean protein necessary for muscle growth:

• 1,070 calories
• 77g protein
• 113g carbs
• 36g fat

Fried rice also has a ton more calories than steamed or brown rice.

Customizations:

• Sub one chicken for steak to increase calories
• Add chow mein for an extra massive 200 calorie boost

Pre- and Post-Workout Meals

Timing your Panda Express meals strategically around workouts can also help.

Ideal Pre-Workout Meal

Before training, opt for carbs to supply muscles with glycogen. White or fried rice are perfect.

Pair with one grilled chicken entree so you don't feel too full during exercise.

Ideal Post-Workout Meal

After a workout, shift focus to protein for repairing and building muscle tissue.

Aim for at least two chicken or steak entrees with a veggie-based side like super greens.

The Verdict? Panda Express Works for Bodybuilding

Hopefully this post showed that you can stick to your diet goals while eating at Panda Express.

With the right combo of whole food ingredients and strategic customizations, their menu 100% works for bodybuilding needs - cutting and bulking.

So next time you're out and need a quick, healthy bite, hit up your local Panda Express. Just use the tips in this guide to order correctly.

Let me know in the comments if you give any of these meals a try!