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    Nutrition
    2025-02-107 min readKeep It Healthy team

    Sports dietetics — how food affects performance

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    Sports dietetics — how food affects performance

    Sports dietetics combines nutrition science with exercise physiology. A properly composed diet can significantly improve training results, speed up recovery and reduce the risk of injury.

    Key principles of sports nutrition:

    • Carbohydrates are the main fuel during intense exercise — their amount should match training loads
    • Protein supports muscle recovery — 1.6–2.2 g/kg body weight daily for active individuals
    • Healthy fats (omega-3, olive oil, nuts) support anti-inflammatory processes
    • Meal timing matters — eat 2–3 hours before training and within 30 min after

    Hydration — the underestimated element:

    Losing just 2% of body weight through dehydration reduces performance by 10–20%. Drink regularly, don't wait until you feel thirsty. During long workouts (>60 min), replenish electrolytes.

    Sample macronutrient distribution for an athlete:

    • Carbohydrates: 5–7 g/kg/day (moderate activity) or 7–10 g/kg/day (intense training)
    • Protein: 1.6–2.2 g/kg/day
    • Fats: 1–1.5 g/kg/day

    At Keep It Healthy, we help athletes create individualized nutrition plans based on laboratory tests and body composition analysis.

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