What is Sports Nutrition?

Sports nutrition addresses the nutritional requirements of elite and amateur athletes and sports enthusiasts. It aims to help individuals reach peak performance by identifying key nutritional requirements based on the sport they are training for.

Sports nutritionists work alongside physiotherapists, strength and conditioning specialists, sports massage therapists and personal trainers.

Sports nutrition can be helpful as it address each client as an individual. The same principles of nutritional therapy apply here. The sports enthusiast also needs attention to various body systems as blood sugar, immune, digestion and adrenal health.

The human body can be made to perform at optimum levels with the right balance of key nutritional elements.

A good balance of carbohydrates, protein, essential fats and hydration is the basis for a healthy diet. Depending on activity the balance of these nutrients may be different. Once athlete starts to eat healthily which would include slow releasing healthy carbohydrates, quality protein, fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy fats and adequate hydration then nutritional supplements that can further support and advance sporting performance are investigated.

Those that are keen to be best at what they do only wish to put the best quality foods in their bodies. Your nutritional therapist can guide you to make the right choices for which foods to eat at meal times and which snacks to eat and when. This is called “Nutrient Timing” in sports nutrition. And scientific studies confirm its effectiveness. Nutrient timing is key for optimal growth and recovery.

Your therapist also helps you identify which sports drinks are more beneficial and which to avoid. There is no time for nutrient wasting for the competitive athlete. What you put in is what you get out in your training.

Sports nutrition is complimentary to various other therapies used to help with sports injuries such as physiotherapy, sports massage or other remedies that help deal with injuries. The therapist's role here is to identify nutrients that aid in the repair process. These may be vitamins and minerals, joint support nutrients, enzymes and oils.

To optimise your performance whatever your chosen sport, get in touch with the New Hopes Nutrition to discussed your nutritional needs.