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Nutritional practices of athletes: Are they sub‐optimal?
Are Athletes' Eating Habits Less Than Ideal?
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Abstract
Male athletes generally ingest adequate dietary energy, while many female athletes do not meet their expected energy intake based on training load.
- Nutritional needs for athletes are influenced by training load and body mass.
- Dietary analyses show that athletes have a macronutrient composition similar to inactive individuals with matching body weight.
- Most male athletes meet their energy and vitamin/mineral requirements.
- Many female athletes have energy intakes below expectations, leading to deficiencies in iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and zinc.
- Most athletes consume a diet that may be significantly low in carbohydrates compared to expert recommendations.
- Increasing carbohydrate intake above the current average may enhance training capacity and recovery, though evidence for this is limited.
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