Provide individual and group/team nutrition counseling and education to enhance athletic performance. Counsel on optimal nutrition for exercise training (matching nutrition to specific training goals), competition, recovery from exercise, weight management, hydration, immunity, and disordered eating.
Recommendations are highly individualized based on sport, training, on/off-season status, and dietary preferences. Frequently recommend protein supplements to promote muscle gains and carbohydrate products, such as gels, bars, and drinks, to fuel exercise.
Endurance Sports
Endurance sports like marathon running, triathlons and long distance cycling events are very demanding on the body. Success in these events requires a strong workout routine, good core and muscular strength as well as a diet rich in the right macronutrients.
During endurance exercise, carbohydrate is the main energy source and it is recommended that athletes consume 30-60 grams of carbohydrates per hour. This can be achieved by drinking a sports drink, taking a pre-workout carbohydrate supplement such as a sports gel or energy bar, or eating a high-carbohydrate meal about an hour before the training session.
Protein is an important nutrient for all athletes, but especially for endurance athletes as it helps build and repair muscle tissue. A registered dietitian that holds the CSSD credential (Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics) can help with a comprehensive sports nutrition plan to meet the needs of an endurance athlete. A registered dietitian can also assess your current nutritional practices and recommend changes that will support your athletic performance goals.
Weight Loss
A sports nutritionist can help a recreational athlete improve their eating habits and make healthy choices that will align with their athletic goals. This includes creating a meal plan that provides the nutrients needed for training and recovery.
In addition, sports nutritionists can offer guidance to help athletes manage their weight. Whether you’re a high school, college, or professional athlete trying to maintain or lose weight, a sports nutritionist can help you create an eating plan that fits your goals and lifestyle.
Find a sports nutritionist who understands your goals and can provide personalized one-on-one advice. They should also be willing to work with you over a long period of time, rather than just give you short-term tips. The right sports nutritionist will support you in making lasting changes that can improve your health for a lifetime.
Performance Enhancement
Athletes who are serious about their sports need an energy-dense diet to prevent early fatigue and to reduce the risk of injury. A good sports nutritionist can provide guidance about dietary choices and help them reach their peak performance potential.
The food an athlete eats should include a variety of foods rich in carbohydrate to support the intensity of their training and to help prevent muscle fatigue and a decline in performance. Carbohydrate intake should be derived primarily from unrefined sources, such as whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables.
A good sports nutritionist will also provide guidance about the use of dietary supplements and other nutritional strategies to enhance sporting performance. This advice should be based on current scientific evidence and the individual athlete’s sport, training schedule, diet restrictions, medical history and practicalities (eg, food preferences). A registered dietitian who is a specialist in sports nutrition can evaluate nutritional supplements for legality, quality and efficacy.
Community Outreach
To maximize muscle protein synthesis for recovery and building, athletes need to consume enough calories. This can be achieved through a balanced diet of nutrient-rich foods including: lean meats, fish and poultry, seafood, whole grains, nuts, seeds and vegetable proteins.
The type of food young athletes fuel their bodies with can impact their performance and athletic potential. Nutrition guidance and counseling from a sports dietitian can help ensure they are adequately fueled and prepared to get the most out of practice and competition.
In addition to providing individualized nutrition recommendations, sports nutritionists also provide education to individuals and groups. This can include team presentations and workshops for youth athletes, coaches and fitness professionals. They may also address food allergies and intolerances, and — in collaboration with psychotherapists — eating disorders and disordered eating. They can also assist with hydration protocols, dietary supplementation and competition fuel preparation. They may also coordinate with other health and wellness professionals, such as strength and conditioning coaches and physiotherapists.sports nutrition near me