ABSTRACT
The focus of this text is on both recreational and more advanced athletes who deserve up-to-date information on meeting their nutritional needs for fats and proteins. A flurry of publications over the last several years has provided new science for
achieving optimal nutrient intake for maximizing muscle and other tissue functions demanded by athletic performance. This chapter attempts to introduce the essence of our basic knowledge of the optimal intakes of fats and proteins and their tissue utilization in sports. Keep in mind that fat intake provides a major portion of our dietary energy (calories), but not the only source, and that fat intake must be considered in the context of carbohydrate intake, the other major source of dietary calories. Calories provided by dietary protein are not insignificant, but they definitely are minor compared to the energy provided by carbohydrates and fats. Keep in mind also that nutrient needs differ in a major way between athletes who perform more aerobic activities and those who perform more resistive types of exercise.
