Comparing ways to check if elite female athletes get enough nutrients from their diet

Mean energy intake among 72 elite female athletes was 10,551 +/- 3,836 kJ/day.

• Macronutrient distribution was 18% protein, 31% fat, and 46% carbohydrate, aligning with Australian acceptable ranges.
• Mean protein intake (1.6 g/kg/day) met the recommended level (>1.2 g/kg/day), while mean carbohydrate intake (4.5 g/kg/day) was below current recommendations (>5 g/kg/day).
• 30% of participants did not meet protein recommendations, and 65% did not meet carbohydrate recommendations.
• Mean micronutrient intake met relevant dietary guidelines except for vitamin D and folate.
• 48% of participants failed to meet the estimated average requirement for folate, while 24% fell short for calcium, 19% for magnesium, and 4% for iron.
• Probability estimates indicated folate (44%), calcium (22%), iron (19%), and magnesium (15%) intake levels as inadequate.

Simplified