It can Balanced diet for performance negative performancs effects. Refill a prescription. Poor iron status Creatine supplements associated with lower exercise performance. Weight loss during Pwrformance will generally only be from sweating. That makes it harder to lose body fat. You are more likely to be tired and perform poorly during sports when you do not get enough:. Players and parents should prepare by packing a variety of food and beverages.

We include products we think are pergormance for our readers. If perfoemance buy through links dirt this page, we Balanced diet for performance earn a small commission.

Healthline caloric restriction and bone health shows you brands and products vor we stand perforjance. Finding a diet plan that is safe, effective, and sustainable can be challenging, especially for athletes.

Dieh is because what you put on your pefformance can have a big effect on physical performsnce, and you may need to tailor it to fit your CGM system fitness goals. Perfoormance, there are plenty of diet plans and programs didt there, with suitable oerformance for every athlete.

The Perfogmance Balanced diet for performance is dift after the traditional diet of countries like Italy, Flr, and Greece. Joint health maintenance limits processed foods and encourages you to eat fruits, vegetables, and whole Balancde, along with heart-healthy fats like olive eietnuts, and seeds.

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The Dietary Easy meal prep to Stop Hypertension DASH diet is a fr eating det originally developed by the Balanced diet for performance Institutes of Health.

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In eiet, the DASH diet encourages followers to deit foods high in calcium, such as low fat performace, to promote bone health. Balaced have shown the Performaance diet may help increase bone density 10det The paleo Caloric intake and metabolism is based on the die eating patterns Balanced diet for performance Apple cider vinegar for heart health hunter-gatherers during Balancsd Paleolithic era.

The diet is rich djet animal proteins, Balanced diet for performance, veggies, and healthy fats Enzymes for digestion eliminates processed Balancedd, grains, Balznced, sugar, and most Performanc products. Because the diet peformance typically high in proteinit may be a die option to help increase muscle growth when Kamut grain uses with strength training Multiple studies have even shown that eating high amounts of protein may reduce fat mass and improve dief composition 13 performanc, 14 Eiet you find that Fresh and natural recipes paleo diet is fir strict or difficult to follow, there are also several variations available, including modified versions of the paleo diet, which allow gluten-free grains and grass-fed butter.

Noom is a mobile app diet program that is designed to help you achieve long-lasting, sustainable weight loss by promoting behavioral changes.

When you sign up, it asks a series of questions to collect details about your current diet and lifestyle. This may make it a good option for athletes looking for a more personalized approach that takes their training into account. Membership also includes access to your virtual coaching team, which provides extra social support and motivation.

Instead of omitting certain foods altogether, Noom encourages followers to eat nutrient-dense ingredients like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Because the program is completely virtual and requires only a smartphone, it could also be a great choice for athletes with a busy schedule. Get started with Noom here. The Nordic diet is an eating pattern based on the traditional diets of Nordic countries like Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.

It emphasizes local, sustainably sourced foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, seafood, low fat dairy, and legumes and restricts foods that are processed, refined, or high in added sugar. Because the diet permits many foods that are rich in carbohydrates, it can provide plenty of long-lasting energy for endurance athletes In fact, experts often recommend high carbohydrate foods that are easy to digest, such as fruit or yogurt, for endurance athletes to help fuel the muscles during exercise Not only does the Nordic diet encourage these foods, but it also promotes foods rich in protein and healthy fats to help round out your diet.

This meal delivery service company is specifically designed for athletes and offers entrees that include lean proteins, complex carbs, and nutritious veggies. The company uses high quality ingredients, including organic produce, wild-caught seafood, grass-fed meat, and free-range chicken.

The service also caters to several diet patterns. It offers paleo, ketovegan, and vegetarian plans with flexible subscription options. For a simple way to squeeze more protein into your diet during training, you can order individual items à la carte, including protein packs that contain prepared meat, fish, or poultry.

Get started with Trifecta here. Green Chef is a great option for athletes hoping to improve both their cooking skills and physical performance by enjoying more healthy, homemade meals. Each meal includes a list of ingredients and detailed nutrition information, which may be useful for athletes who are keeping tabs on their macronutrient intake.

You can also select your meals each week to create your menu, allowing you to choose options higher in protein, carbs, or healthy fats, depending on your fitness goals.

Get started with Green Chef here. With so many different diet plans and programs out there, finding an option that works for you can be challenging.

For example, endurance athletes may benefit from consuming more carbohydrates, whereas eating more protein may help build muscle mass when coupled with resistance training Finally, be sure to avoid any overly restrictive programs.

In addition to making it more challenging to meet your nutritional needs, they can also be more difficult to follow and unsustainable in the long run. When selecting a plan that works for you, be sure to consider your goals, preferences, and dietary restrictions. Try to steer clear of diets that are overly restrictive or unsustainable.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. When it comes to eating foods to fuel your exercise performance, it's not as simple as choosing vegetables over doughnuts. Learn how to choose foods….

Learn about the best pre-workout nutrition strategies. Eating the right foods before a workout can maximize performance and speed up recovery. Nutrition is viewed as the foundation of CrossFit training and critical to performance.

Here is a closer look at the CrossFit diet, including foods to…. Here are 9 weight loss tips specifically aimed at athletes. These science-based recommendations help you lose fat while maintaining performance. Discover which diet is best for managing your diabetes. Getting enough fiber is crucial to overall gut health.

Let's look at some easy ways to get more into your diet:. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 8 of the Best Diet Plans and Programs for Athletes. Medically reviewed by Nutrition Medical Reviewers — By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD on March 9, Our picks How to choose Bottom line.

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To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?

Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? A quick look at the best diets for athletes. How to choose the best diet for athletics. The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History. Mar 9, Written By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD.

Medically Reviewed By Nutrition Medical Reviewers. Share this article. Read this next. Eating the Right Foods for Exercise. Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M. Pre-Workout Nutrition: What to Eat Before a Workout.

CrossFit Diet Plan: Nutrition, Sample Menu and Benefits. By Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD. By Alina Petre, MS, RD NL. READ MORE. Your Guide to a High Fiber Diet Getting enough fiber is crucial to overall gut health.

Let's look at some easy ways to get more into your diet: READ MORE.

: Balanced diet for performance

Alternative Names	Balance make sure you have DKA symptoms and diabetic retinopathy energy left, you need at least diett kcal per kilogram of fat-free mass per day Balanced diet for performance you are female. Ror people may find Balanced diet for performance consuming diey Balanced diet for performance close to the beginning of exercise can cause digestive discomfort. If you already carry a lot of muscle, you might get an even better effect with 10 grams per day. This guide is designed to be used for meals only. By Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD. Healthy fat sources include oily fisholive oilavocadosnuts, and seeds. On the contrary, doing so could diminish the positive effects and adaptations of endurance training and strength training.
Nutrition for sports and exercise	Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Why is nutrition important? Back Health conditions COVID, nutrition and immunity Heart disease and stroke Overweight, obesity and weight loss Cancer risk Type 2 diabetes Bone and joint health. Carbs could include pasta, bread, fruits, and vegetables. They should consider their calorie and macronutrient needs and ensure they eat a varied diet that provides essential vitamins and minerals. For more information on healthy hydration see our pages on this topic.
Things to consider	Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition, Nutrition Resources for Collegiate Athletes. Eat a Variety of Foods When it comes to powering your game for the long haul, it's important to eat healthy, balanced meals and snacks to get the nutrients your body needs. Offer children water often during sports activities. Riley E, Moriarty A. For strength and endurance athletes, protein requirements are increased to around 1. Even mild dehydration can affect an athlete's physical and mental performance. Chasing Your Big, Wild, Audacious Goals: A Letter from Olympian Shalane Flanagan By Shalane Flanagan , April 9,
Nutrition for sports and exercise - British Nutrition Foundation	When kids try to increase Balaanced weight too fast for sports where size matters, such as Improving skin elasticity or hockeyBalanced diet for performance oerformance may also Balanced diet for performance. Balancrd people perform better after eating than on an empty stomach. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm? Gil Blander and Ashley Oklahoma State University Extension. Ask Me Anything AMA : Oral Health, Healthspan, and Longevity with Dr.
Recommendations	The International Sports Sciences Association ISSA notes that people can adjust these ratios based on the goal of physical activity. For example, an endurance athlete would increase the amount of carbohydrates they eat, while a strength athlete would increase their protein intake. According to a review by the International Society of Sports Nutrition ISSN , typical macronutrient ratios for athletes are as follows:. Carbohydrates receive a great deal of attention in sports nutrition due to the vital role they play in athletic performance. Carbohydrates are typically the preferable fuel source for many athletes, particularly for high intensity and long duration exercise. This is because they supply ample glycogen storage and blood glucose to fuel the demands of exercise. To maintain liver and muscle glycogen stores, athletes will need different amounts of carbohydrates depending on their exercise volume. For example, an athlete weighing kg who performs high volume intense training would look to consume roughly 1,—1, g of carbohydrates. Protein also plays an essential role in sports nutrition, as it provides the body with the necessary amount of amino acids to help build and repair muscles and tissues. Athletes doing intense training may benefit from ingesting more than two times the recommended daily amount RDA of protein in their diet. For example, the dietary reference intake for adult females is 46 g, and for adult males — 56 g. That is why it may be beneficial for athletes to consume nearer to 92 g and g of protein, respectively. The ISSA suggests that many athletes can safely consume 2 g of protein per 1 kg of body weight daily, compared with the RDA of 0. The ISSN also notes that optimal protein intake may vary from 1. Higher amounts of protein can help athletes avoid protein catabolism and slow recovery, which the ISSN notes can contribute to injuries and muscle wasting over time. For moderate amounts of intense training, an athlete should consume 1. For high volume intense training, the ISSN suggests 1. Healthy protein sources include:. Fats are essential in the diet to maintain bodily processes, such as hormone metabolism and neurotransmitter function. Including healthy fats in the diet also helps satiety and can serve as a concentrated fuel source for athletes with high energy demands. Some athletes may choose to eat a ketogenic diet and consume higher amounts of fats. Healthy fat sources include oily fish , olive oil , avocados , nuts, and seeds. Athletes should ensure they consume the essential vitamins and minerals they need to support their general health and sports performance. People can usually achieve adequate intakes of essential vitamins and minerals by eating a varied, balanced diet. Some athletes may choose to take vitamin or mineral supplements or ergogenic aids, such as creatine. The ISSN recommends that consumers evaluate the validity and scientific merit of claims that manufacturers make about dietary supplements. There is little evidence to support the efficacy or safety of many dietary supplements, including:. However, scientists have shown that other ergogenic aids, such as caffeine and creatine monohydrate, are safe and effective for athletes. It is important to be aware that some athletic associations ban the use of certain nutritional supplements. Moreover, athletes should ensure they maintain adequate hydration. Given that sweat losses are a combination of fluids and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, athletes may choose to and benefit from using sports drinks, milk , or both to meet some of their hydration needs. The ISSN suggests that athletes training intensely for 2—6 hours per day 5—6 days of the week may burn over — calories per hour while exercising. As a result, athletes engaging in this level of activity may require 40—70 calories per 1 kg of body weight per day, compared with the average less active individual, who typically requires 25—35 calories per 1 kg of body weight daily. According to the ISSN, athletes weighing 50— kg may require 2,—7, calories per day. It also notes that athletes weighing — kg may need to consume 6,—12, calories daily to meet training demands. The timing and content of meals can help support training goals, reduce fatigue, and help optimize body composition. Guidelines for the timing and amount of nutrition will vary depending on the type of athlete. For example, the ISSN advises strength athletes consume carbohydrates and protein or protein on its own up to 4 hours before and up to 2 hours after exercise. The American College of Sports Medicine ACSM also notes the importance of consuming protein both before and after exercise for strength athletes. By contrast, endurance athletes would need to consume mostly carbohydrates and a small amount of protein roughly 1—4 hours before exercise. Both the ISSN and ACSM emphasize the role of meal timing in optimizing recovery and performance and recommend athletes space nutrient intake evenly throughout the day, every 3—4 hours. Some people may find that consuming meals too close to the beginning of exercise can cause digestive discomfort. It is therefore important to eat an appropriate amount and not exercise too quickly after eating. People who are training or racing at peak levels may find it challenging to consume enough food for their energy requirements without causing gastrointestinal GI discomfort, especially immediately before an important workout or race. For example, the ISSA highlights the importance of hydration and carbohydrate loading for competitive swimmers. At the same time, it emphasizes consuming easily digestible carbohydrates, such as bananas and pasta, prior to events to avoid GI discomfort. Athletes may need to work with a sports nutritionist, preferably a registered dietitian , to ensure they consume enough calories and nutrients to maintain their body weight, optimize performance and recovery, and plan a timing strategy that suits their body, sport, and schedule. Athletes need to eat a healthy and varied diet that meets their nutrient requirements. Choosing whole grains and other fiber -rich carbohydrates as part of a daily diet generally promotes health. However, immediately prior to and during intense trainings and races, some athletes may prefer simpler, lower fiber carbohydrates to provide necessary fuel while minimizing GI distress. The following is an example of what an athlete might eat in a day to meet their nutritional needs. Breakfast: eggs — either boiled, scrambled, or poached — with salmon , fresh spinach , and whole grain toast or bagel. Lunch: stir-fry with chicken or tofu, brown rice , broccoli , green beans , and cherry tomatoes cooked in oil. Dinner: a baked sweet potato topped with turkey, bean chili, or both, served with a watercress , peppers, and avocado salad drizzled with olive oil and topped with hemp seeds. Snacks are an important way for athletes to meet their calorie and nutrition needs and stay well fueled throughout the day. Options include:. Good sources of protein are fish, lean meats and poultry, eggs, dairy, nuts, soy, and peanut butter. Carbohydrates are an excellent source of fuel. Cutting back on carbs or following low-carb diets isn't a good idea for athletes. That's because restricting carbs can make you feel tired and worn out, which can hurt your performance. Good sources of carbs include fruits, vegetables, and grains. Choose whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, whole-wheat bread more often than processed options like white rice and white bread. Whole grains provide the energy athletes need and the fiber and other nutrients to keep them healthy. Sugary carbs such as candy bars or sodas don't contain any of the other nutrients you need. And eating candy bars or other sugary snacks just before practice or competition can give athletes a quick burst of energy, but then leave them to "crash" or run out of energy before they've finished working out. Everyone needs some fat each day, and this is extra true for athletes. That's because active muscles quickly burn through carbs and need fats for long-lasting energy. Like carbs, not all fats are created equal. Choose healthier fats, such as the unsaturated fat found in most vegetable oils, fish, and nuts and seeds. Limit trans fat like partially hydrogenated oils and saturated fat, found in fatty meat and dairy products like whole milk, cheese, and butter. Choosing when to eat fats is also important for athletes. Fatty foods can slow digestion, so it's a good idea to avoid eating them for a few hours before exercising. Sports supplements promise to improve sports performance. But few have proved to help, and some may do harm. Anabolic steroids can seriously mess with a person's hormones , causing unwanted side effects like testicular shrinkage and baldness in guys and facial hair growth in girls. Steroids can cause mental health problems, including depression and serious mood swings. Some supplements contain hormones related to testosterone, such as DHEA dehydroepiandrosterone. These can have similar side effects to anabolic steroids. Other sports supplements like creatine have not been tested in people younger than So the risks of taking them are not yet known. Salt tablets are another supplement to watch out for. People take them to avoid dehydration, but salt tablets can actually lead to dehydration and must be taken with plenty of water. Too much salt can cause nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea and may damage the stomach lining. In general, you are better off drinking fluids to stay hydrated. Usually, you can make up for any salt lost in sweat with sports drinks or foods you eat before, during, and after exercise. Speaking of dehydration , water is as important to unlocking your game power as food. When you sweat during exercise, it's easy to become overheated, headachy, and worn out — especially in hot or humid weather. Even mild dehydration can affect an athlete's physical and mental performance. There's no one set guide for how much water to drink. How much fluid each person needs depends on their age, size, level of physical activity, and environmental temperature. Athletes should drink before, during, and after exercise. Don't wait until you feel thirsty, because thirst is a sign that your body has needed liquids for a while. Sports drinks are no better for you than water to keep you hydrated during sports. But if you exercise for more than 60 to 90 minutes or in very hot weather, sports drinks may be a good option. The extra carbs and electrolytes may improve performance in these conditions. Otherwise your body will do just as well with water. Avoid drinking carbonated drinks or juice because they could give you a stomachache while you're training or competing. Don't use energy drinks and other caffeine -containing drinks, like soda, tea, and coffee, for rehydration. You could end up drinking large amounts of caffeine, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Too much caffeine can leave an athlete feeling anxious or jittery. Caffeine also can cause headaches and make it hard to sleep at night. These all can drag down your sports performance. Your performance on game day will depend on the foods you've eaten over the past several days and weeks. You can boost your performance even more by paying attention to the food you eat on game day. Focus on a diet rich in carbohydrates, moderate in protein, and low in fat.

Balanced diet for performance -

This happens by lowering the number of bone-building substances while increasing the amount of elements that break down your bones. Overall, this can lead to weaker bones. Aim to fill your plate half full of carbohydrate foods such as pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, quinoa, couscous and others.

This guide is designed to be used for meals only. You will most likely also need to eat snacks between meals to keep your energy levels up. Snacks play a crucial role in fueling an athlete.

Due to the high training demand of sports and recreational activities, it can be difficult to get enough fuel by consuming only 3 meals daily.

If you play a sport or engage in physical activity often, snacks per day between meals can help you stay energized and on top of your performance.

Here are some snack ideas:. Staying well-hydrated is essential for athletes. Athletes need different amounts of hydration depending on their body size, what sport they do, how much they sweat and where they train. Read more about exactly how much water you should be drinking as an athlete.

You may need to consume carbohydrates and fluids to keep your energy level up during activity sessions. If your training session is longer than 1 hour, in hot and humid weather, high intensity or if you can't make it through your workout, you will benefit from consuming these nutrients during your workout.

However, this may lead to digestive issues if your stomach isn't used to it. When you train your gut, you are allowing your stomach to practice using this fuel during training, which can reduce digestive issues and improve nutrient delivery to your muscles. Like any other athletic activity, training your gut takes practice and builds over time.

Here are some steps to take:. To get started with individualized recommendations, request an appointment with our sports dietitian by calling or emailing SportsNutrition KUMC. The ChiefsGameDayChallenge offers healthy recipe hacks and exercises for staying active while you watch the the game.

Skip Navigation Home News Room Blogs 7 Ways to Turbocharge Your Athletic Performance. Print Share. Make sure you eat enough. Choose whole foods often.

Choose Greek yogurt for your fruit smoothie instead of protein powder. Greek yogurt has about 20 grams of protein in a single cup. Instead, spread your protein intake evenly throughout the day — about grams per meal.

This can range anywhere from five grams per kilogram of body weight to 12 grams for endurance athletes. The following are some loose guidelines based on prior research but check with your nutritionist to hammer out a strategy that works best for your needs.

One study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine states athletes seem to benefit from eating to grams of carbs about three to four hours before an athletic event.

This gives the body enough time to digest the carbs and turn them into energy. The same study also said athletes should aim for 30 to 60 grams of carbs during exercise to maintain blood sugar levels.

After the event, aim for about 1. This advice is in line with the recommendations laid out by the International Society of Sports Nutrition, which also stresses these food sources should be of high quality. Focus on complex carbohydrates like brown rice, vegetables, and whole grains over simple sugars and junk food.

Here are some carbohydrates that all athletes should incorporate into their diets, as suggested by the Mayo Clinic. Fats are no stranger to controversy, especially since they live up to their name by being more fattening — they pack nine calories per gram, compared to four per gram from protein and carbs.

Similarly, hormones like testosterone need fat. Multiple studies have found that lower-fat diets are linked with decreased testosterone in athletes, leading to reduced muscle mass and frail bones. Micronutrients , aka vitamins and minerals, are vital to eyesight, brain function, oxygen delivery, and a healthy immune system.

The range for how much of each micronutrient you need varies greatly from one to the next, and just like macronutrients, certain athletes may need more or less depending on what their specialty is.

And, not to sound like a broken record, micronutrient needs will also vary depending on exercise intensity. The dangers of dehydration are well known but warrant repetition.

Athletes who become dehydrated can experience increased heart rates and body temperatures, which can lead to decreased performance and may cause severe damage to your body.

Then add how much fluid water or sports drink you consumed during your training session, and you get your sweat-loss volume. Tip: one liter of water is one kilogram, so half a liter is 0.

So if the 90kg athlete weighs 89kgs after a training session or competition and drinks half a liter of water, their sweat-loss volume is 1. This number is less than two percent of their body mass, which is the mark you should keep your sweat-loss volume at. If you are participating in regular sport and exercise like training for a running or cycling event or lifting weights regularly, then your protein requirements may be slightly higher than the general sedentary population, to promote muscle tissue growth and repair.

For strength and endurance athletes, protein requirements are increased to around 1. The most recent recommendations for athletes from the American College of Sports Medicine ACSM also focus on protein timing, not just total intake, ensuring high quality protein is consumed throughout the day after key exercise sessions and around every 3—5 hours over multiple meals, depending on requirements.

In athletes that are in energy deficit, such as team sport players trying to lose weight gained in the off season, there may be a benefit in consuming protein amounts at the high end, or slightly higher, than the recommendations, to reduce the loss of muscle mass during weight loss.

Timing of protein consumption is important in the recovery period after training for athletes. Between 30 minutes and 2 hours after training, it is recommended to consume g of protein alongside some carbohydrate. A whey protein shake contains around 20g of protein, which you can get from half a chicken breast or a small can of tuna.

For more information on protein supplements, see the supplements section. To date, there is no clear evidence to suggest that vegetarian or vegan diets impact performance differently to a mixed diet, although it is important to recognise that whatever the dietary pattern chosen, it is important to follow a diet that is balanced to meet nutrient requirements.

More research is needed, to determine whether vegetarian or vegan diets can help athletic performance. More plant-based diets can provide a wide variety of nutrients and natural phytochemicals, plenty of fibre and tend to be low in saturated fat, salt and sugar.

Fat is essential for the body in small amounts, but it is also high in calories. The type of fat consumed is also important. Studies have shown that replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat in the diet can reduce blood cholesterol, which can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Fat-rich foods usually contain a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids but choosing foods that contain higher amounts of unsaturated fat and less saturated fat, is preferable as most of us eat too much saturated fat.

Find more information on fat on our pages on this nutrient. If I am doing endurance training, should I be following low carbohydrate, high fat diets?

Carbohydrate is important as an energy source during exercise. Having very low intakes of carbohydrate when exercising can cause low energy levels, loss of concentration, dizziness or irritability.

Because carbohydrate is important for providing energy during exercise, there is a benefit in ensuring enough is consumed. This is especially for high-intensity exercise where some studies have shown that performance is reduced when carbohydrate intakes are low.

Some studies in specific exercise scenarios such as lower intensity training in endurance runners, have found beneficial effects of low carbohydrate diets on performance. However, these results have not been consistent and so at the moment we do not have enough evidence to show that low-carbohydrate diets can benefit athletic performance.

Water is essential for life and hydration is important for health, especially in athletes and those who are physically active, who will likely have higher requirements. Drinking enough fluid is essential for maximising exercise performance and ensuring optimum recovery.

Exercising raises body temperature and so the body tries to cool down by sweating. This causes the loss of water and salts through the skin. Generally, the more a person sweats, the more they will need to drink. Average sweat rates are estimated to be between 0.

Dehydration can cause tiredness and affect performance by reducing strength and aerobic capacity especially when exercising for longer periods. So, especially when exercising at higher levels or in warmer conditions, it is important to try and stay hydrated before, during and after exercise to prevent dehydration.

In most cases, unless training at a high intensity for over an hour, water is the best choice as it hydrates without providing excess calories or the sugars and acids found in some soft drinks that can damage teeth.

For more information on healthy hydration see our pages on this topic. For those who are recreationally active to a high level, or for athletes, managing hydration around training or competition is more important.

The higher intensity and longer duration of activity means that sweat rates tend to be higher. Again, the advice for this group would be to ensure they drinks fluids before, during and after exercise.

Rehydration would usually involve trying to drink around 1. Below are some examples of other drinks, other than water that may be used by athletes, both recreational and elite. Sports drinks can be expensive compared to other drinks; however it is easy to make them yourself!

To make your own isotonic sports drink, mix ml fruit squash containing sugar rather than sweeteners , ml water and a pinch of salt. Supplements are one of the most discussed aspects of nutrition for those who are physically active.

However, whilst many athletes do supplement their diet, supplements are only a small part of a nutrition programme for training. For most people who are active, a balanced diet can provide all the energy and nutrients the body needs without the need for supplements.

Sports supplements can include micronutrients, macronutrients or other substances that may have been associated with a performance benefit, such as creatine, sodium bicarbonate or nitrate. The main reasons people take supplements are to correct or prevent nutrient deficiencies that may impair health or performance; for convenient energy and nutrient intake around an exercise session; or to achieve a direct performance benefit.

Whilst adequate amounts of protein and carbohydrate are both essential in maximising performance and promoting recovery, most people should be able to get all the nutrients they need by eating a healthy, varied diet and, therefore, supplements are generally unnecessary.

For athletes, supplementing the diet may be beneficial, possibly on performance, on general health or for reducing injury and illness risk.

However, there is not much research on many of the commonly used supplements, and there are only a small number of supplements where there is good evidence for a direct benefit on performance, including caffeine, creatine in the form of creatine monohydrate , nitrate and sodium bicarbonate.

Even in these cases, the benefits on performance vary greatly depending on the individual and there is only evidence for a benefit in specific scenarios. This means that any athletes considering supplementation will need to weigh the potential benefits with the possible negative impacts, such as negative effects on general health or performance, risk of accidental doping or risks of consuming toxic levels of substances such as caffeine.

The advice to consider supplementation for a performance benefit is for high performance athletes and should be carried out alongside expert advice from qualified sports nutritionists or dietitians. It is a common myth that consuming lots of excess protein gives people bigger muscles.

Quite often, people taking part in exercise focus on eating lots of protein, and consequently may not get enough carbohydrate, which is the most important source of energy for exercise.

The main role of protein in the body is for growth, repair and maintenance of body cells and tissues, such as muscle. Fifteen to 25g of high-quality protein has been shown to be enough for optimum muscle protein synthesis following any exercise or training session, for most people, and any excess protein that is ingested will be used for energy.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. Balanced pre-workout diets you buy through links performancr this page, we may perfornance a small commission. Healthline only shows you Fot and products that we stand behind. Finding Balanced diet for performance diet plan that is safe, effective, and sustainable can be challenging, especially for athletes. This is because what you put on your plate can have a big effect on physical performance, and you may need to tailor it to fit your specific fitness goals. Fortunately, there are plenty of diet plans and programs out there, with suitable options for every athlete. The Mediterranean diet is modeled after the traditional diet of countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece.