William Bankier Daily Diet: Meals, Nutrition Tips & Supplements for Mass

William Bankier, known as "The Scottish Hercules," was a prominent figure in the world of strength athletics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

He garnered attention for his remarkable feats of strength and his athletic physique, which reflected the training and nutrition practices characteristic of his time.

While modern bodybuilding emphasizes meticulously structured daily diets, Bankier likely approached his nutrition in a way that prioritized calorie-dense and hearty meals to sustain his physical demands as a strongman performer.

Although we lack definitive records of Bankier adhering to a modern fitness dietary plan, examining his era’s typical eating patterns offers insights into how he might have fueled his body for rigorous training and performances.

His nutritional habits were likely grounded in practicality, with food choices reflecting the available resources and the cultural norms of his time.

This article explores William Bankier's possible dietary habits based on historical context, offering a glimpse into how nutrition played a role in his strongman career.

Key Takeaways

• William Bankier likely consumed hearty, calorie-dense meals to sustain his energy needs during physically demanding training and performances.
• Breakfast might have been a substantial meal but not part of a strategic plan as seen in modern bodybuilding.
• Lunch and dinner probably featured traditional staples like meats, bread, potatoes, and vegetables, with little emphasis on meal timing or specialized recovery foods.
• Snacks, if any, would not have been structured but could have included easily available food items to meet calorie demands.
• William Bankier fueled his strength and muscle with whole, calorie-dense foods and simple cooking methods—long before modern supplements or macro-nutrient tracking existed.

Breakfast: Starting the Day with Energy

The Importance of Breakfast

Breakfast for William Bankier likely reflected the norms of his time rather than being a deliberately prioritized meal designed for performance. A hearty morning meal with sufficient calories might have been common to prepare him for physical activity throughout the day, whether training or demonstrating his strength.

A Typical Breakfast

William Bankier's breakfast probably included staples like eggs, bread, porridge, and perhaps meat. These foods were calorie-rich, practical, and widely consumed in Scotland during his lifetime. While modern concepts of protein and carbohydrate management were unheard of, eggs would have provided protein and fat, while porridge served as a source of slow-digesting carbohydrates.

Customizing for Practicality

Rather than adding specific "enhancements" for nutrition, Bankier’s breakfast might have incorporated seasonal or locally sourced additions like butter, cream, or jam to boost calorie intake.

Lunch: Sustaining Energy for Training

Fueling His Physical Demands

Lunch for Bankier would have been practical, affordable, and hearty, providing him with the energy needed for the intense physical activity of strongman training or performances.

A Typical Lunch

A typical lunch for Bankier likely consisted of roasted or boiled meats such as beef or lamb, accompanied by bread, potatoes, and seasonal vegetables like turnips or carrots. Food preparation in his era relied heavily on what was readily available and preserved. These meals were calorically dense, offering energy for his demanding lifestyle.

Simplistic Approach

There was likely no deliberate focus on “lean proteins” or “complex carbohydrates,” as these concepts were not prevalent at the time. Bankier’s meals were probably more about quantity and satiety than engineered nutrition.

Dinner: Recovery Through Sustenance

The Role of Dinner

Dinner for Bankier likely acted as a substantial end-of-day meal to replenish what his body had expended during training or demonstrations. However, reflective of his era, this meal was probably more about sustenance and availability than structured recovery.

A Typical Dinner

His evening meal might have included a larger portion of meat (such as mutton or pork), starchy sides like potatoes or bread, and nutrient-rich vegetables. Gravy or other fat-heavy accompaniments were likely included, helping to boost calories.

Hydration and Digestion

While hydration was important, the concept of including specific drinks like “lemon-infused water” or “herbal teas” for digestion is unlikely to have featured in Bankier’s routine. Instead, water or ale would probably have been the prominent beverages.

Snacks: Meeting Calorie Demands

The Role of Snacks

Given the energy demands of his training and performances, Bankier might have occasionally eaten between meals. However, snacking as a deliberate strategy was not a documented practice of his time.

What His Snacks Might Have Looked Like

If William Bankier consumed snacks, they might have consisted of simple, easily accessible foods like bread, cheese, fruit, or nuts. These items could be eaten on the go and provided a quick source of calories, although there is no evidence of structured snack timing to meet performance needs.

Nutrition Tips: Balancing Energy Needs

Balanced Meals for Bankier's Era

The idea of balancing macro-nutrients to optimize muscle repair and growth is a modern concept. Bankier’s meals likely focused more on maintaining overall calorie intake rather than achieving proportioned ratios of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Still, his diet would have naturally included a mix of these macronutrients given the traditional foods of the time.

Food Preparation for Convenience

William might have relied on simple meal preparation methods like roasting, boiling, and stewing, which were common cooking practices in early 20th-century Scotland. These methods were efficient and produced hearty, calorie-dense dishes that suited his needs.

Supplements: Not Part of His Nutrition

Supplements like whey protein, creatine, or BCAAs were not available during Bankier's lifetime. His strength and muscle growth resulted from rigorous physical training and a nutrient-rich diet drawn entirely from whole foods.

The Importance of Nutrition in Bankier’s Success

William Bankier’s diet was likely reflective of the cultural and practical realities of his era. While it lacked the specificity of modern bodybuilding regimens, it demonstrated the importance of consuming enough calories to sustain physical exertion.

For those inspired by Bankier’s legacy, the key takeaway lies not in following today’s fitness trends but in understanding the value of consistent, hearty eating habits to fuel physical activity.

While his achievements provide inspiration, they also remind us that nutrition is a dynamic field, evolving over time as our understanding grows.

FAQs

What was William Bankier's daily diet like?

William Bankier's diet likely consisted of hearty meals based on traditional foods such as meats, bread, potatoes, and vegetables. There is no evidence to suggest it was meticulously structured like modern bodybuilding diets.

What are some nutrition tips for mass building?

While modern tips for mass building include a calorie surplus, protein prioritization, and meal timing, these were not strategies from Bankier’s time. Instead, Bankier likely focused on eating calorie-dense meals to sustain his strength and training needs.

Did William Bankier use supplements?

No, William Bankier did not use supplements. His nutrition was entirely based on whole foods, as dietary supplements like protein powders and creatine were not available in his era.