ABSTRACT
Athletes of all abilities are encouraged to follow sports nutrition strategies that optimize mental and physical performance and support good health. In addition to following a general healthy diet, these strategies include nutrient intake before, during, and immediately after training or competition and maintenance of a healthy body weight for the athlete’s chosen sport. The timing of the intake of carbohydrate, protein, and fluid according to exercise and competition helps optimize exercise performance, ensures adequate recovery, and promotes muscle protein synthesis. When weight or body fat reduction is required, weight loss should be accomplished slowly, and not during competitive season. Certain supplements, which include creatine, caffeine, and dietary nitrate, may be of interest to the vegetarian athlete; nutritional supplements should not be used in lieu of good food choices.
