Polyphenols and anti-aging effects muscle damage: what is it, what ahletes it and Nutritoinal are the nutritional solutions? Back Nutritional support for athletes it into practice Some tips to save money on food Make healthier choices Balancing the diet Food labelling Plant-based diets Keeping active Planning Food, seasons and celebrations. Roberts CK, Barnard RJ.

Nutritional support for athletes -

National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus: Nutrition and athletic performance. Last Updated: May 9, This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone.

Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Getting these other than by mouth is called artificial…. Getting the right amount of water before, during, and after exercise helps your body to function properly.

A lack…. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that provides calories for your body to use as energy. There are two main…. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Knee Bracing: What Works? Sore Muscles from Exercise. Hydration for Athletes. Exercise and Seniors.

The Exercise Habit. Why Exercise? Exercise: How To Get Started. Home Prevention and Wellness Exercise and Fitness Exercise Basics Nutrition for Athletes. Calories come in different forms. The main types are carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Simple carbs fruits, milk, and vegetables are easier for your body to break down. They provide quick bursts of energy. Complex carbs take longer for your body to break down. They are a better source of energy over time. Complex carbs in whole grain products are the most nutritious.

Examples include whole-grain bread, potatoes, brown rice, oatmeal, and kidney beans. Fat is another important source of calories. In small amounts, fat is a key fuel source. It serves other functions, such as supporting good skin and hair. Do not replace carbs in your diet with fats.

This can slow you down, because your body has to work harder to burn fat for energy. When you can, choose unsaturated fats, like olive oil and nuts. These are better for your health than saturated and trans fats. Too much fat or the wrong kinds can cause health problems.

It can raise your bad LDL cholesterol level and increase your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Protein is found in foods like meat, eggs, milk, beans, and nuts. Some athletes think they should consume large amounts of protein.

Over time, too much protein can be harmful to your health. The digestion process can put strain on your liver and kidneys. Know when to eat and rehydrate For athletes, knowing when to eat is as important as knowing what to eat.

Things to consider Athletes require a lot of energy and nutrients to stay in shape. Every athlete is different, so consider: How long before working out is best for you to eat How much food is the right amount for you If you need to gain or lose weight to improve performance, it must be done safely.

Questions to ask your doctor How many calories do I need to eat each day? Should I cut out carbs? Are super restrictive diets healthy for me? Are there any supplements they should take? Is it okay to eat sweets if I have to gain weight fast?

Resources Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition, Nutrition Resources for Collegiate Athletes National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus: Nutrition and athletic performance MyPlate.

Last Updated: May 9, This article was contributed by familydoctor. org editorial staff. Categories: Exercise and Fitness , Exercise Basics , Prevention and Wellness.

Tags: athlete , nutrition , prevention , sports medicine. Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone.

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Close Modal Close Modal. Find nutrition tips to help teen athletes fuel before, during, and after workouts to optimize performance. Aim to get nutrition from real foods first! Check out this infographic for foods to boost athletic performance. Read about how athletes achieve peak performance by training and eating a balanced diet including a variety of foods in this printable fact sheet.

The WAVE Sport Nutrition Curriculum uses youth's interest in sports to teach them about healthy eating and hydration to fuel a healthy, active body for life. Learn how nutrition before, during, and after sport competitions can improve athletic performance.

An official website of the United States government. Here's how you know. dot gov icon Official websites use. https icon Secure. Find information on nutrition and athletic performance. Bodybuilding and Performance Enhancement Supplements: What You Need To Know. HHS , National Institutes of Health , National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Learn about the safety and effectiveness of bodybuilding and athletic supplements. Nutrition and Athletic Performance. HHS , National Institutes of Health , National Library of Medicine , MedlinePlus.

Read about how nutrition plays an important role in athletic performance. Sports Fitness. Find information and research about fitness and health. Creatine Supplements: The Basics. Department of Defense , Uniformed Services University , Consortium for Health and Military Performance.

Learn about creatine supplements, their impact on athletic performance, and their safety.

Last Updated October This vor was created by fot. org Nutrirional staff and Sodium intake guidelines by Beth Oller, MD. As an athlete, fod Nutritional support for athletes health is key to an active lifestyle. You must take special care to get enough of the calories, vitamins, and other nutrients that provide energy. You need to include choices from each of the healthy food groups. However, athletes may need to eat more or less of certain foods, depending upon:.