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Nutrition Tips For Destination Races

by Lisa Podlecki, RD,
Diploma Sport Nutrition IOC

Racing in a different city or town can be exciting—however, changes to your food choices or eating schedule can lead to stomach issues and under-fuelling. With a bit of planning and preparation, you can optimize your fueling strategy and be prepared to perform your best on race day.

Before You Go
During the week leading up to your departure, do some advance research. If travelling on a plane, check if food and drink will be allowed onboard. Re-read the details of your accommodations to confirm if breakfast is included. If yes, see when it is served and if this aligns with your pre-race schedule. Find out what kinds of items will be provided, particularly if you have allergies or specific dietary needs. Do an online search to locate the nearest restaurants and grocery stores. Continue reading “Nutrition Tips For Destination Races”

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Eating Well as a Vegetarian Athlete

by Lisa Podlecki, RD,
Diploma Sport Nutrition IOC

Athletes may choose to eat vegetarian or vegan for a variety of reasons, such as environmental considerations, animal welfare, personal preference, and/or religion. While eating a well-balanced vegetarian diet can have a number of positive health outcomes—including lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension—athletes may also believe that becoming vegetarian may be a way to lose weight, improve their performance and help with recovery. As with any diet, cutting out a particular food group can result in insufficient calorie and nutrient intake, which may lead to potential nutritional deficiencies and decreased performance. With the proper guidance, however, vegetarian athletes can be just as strong and healthy!

Continue reading “Eating Well as a Vegetarian Athlete”

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Mindful Eating

by Lisa Podlecki, RD,
Diploma Sport Nutrition IOC

As we enter a new year, our thoughts often turn to setting new goals. For some athletes, this can mean losing weight or building muscle mass. As with any goal, however, long-term success starts with a solid foundation. For some, this may mean creating a healthy relationship with your body, or with food, or even being more conscious of how you are fuelling your body. Mindfulness is the concept of being aware of one’s thoughts and feelings in the moment—and is not just for your typical yogi. In fact, athletes are particularly good at being in tune with their bodies! Let’s look at how mindfulness relates to eating.

What is mindful eating?
Mindful eating is about being in the present moment and can incorporate all components of eating as well as our interactions with food. For example, you can be mindful of the enjoyment you get from preparing a meal. You can notice the taste, look and texture of what you are eating. You can observe, honestly and without judgement, how food makes you feel. You can be more aware of your hunger and fullness cues. Continue reading “Mindful Eating”