Copyright © 2011, Harvard University.* Nutrition
The NCAA reports that disordered eating symptoms occur in approximately 25 percent of collegiate female athletes and 20 percent of male collegiate athletes competing in a diverse range of sports.
Dietary energy (energy that comes from food) not only supports athletic performance but also sustains life. Following an athlete’s participation in exercise, whatever remaining fuel left in their body is used to support the body’s metabolic processes. Thus, when an athlete’s body is not adequately fueled, there is little energy left to support the body’s critical functions following intense training, such as recovery and repair.
NATA Position Statements
Preventing, Detecting, and Managing Disordered Eating in Athlete
Safe Weight Loss and Maintenance Practices in Sport and Exercise
Evaluation of Dietary Supplements for Performance Nutrition
Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition subgroup of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
SCAN is the largest dietetic practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Members are registered dietitians with nutrition expertise in the areas of sports, physical activity, cardiovascular health, wellness, and the prevention and treatment of disordered eating and eating disorders.
Mission: To empower members to be the nation’s food and nutrition leaders through excellence and expertise in nutrition for sports and physical activity, cardiovascular health, wellness, and disordered eating and eating disorders.
Vision: Optimize the nation’s health by providing exceptional nutrition care in sports performance and physical activity, cardiovascular health, wellness, and disordered eating and eating disorders.
Athlete’s Plate: Vegan Diet (pdf)
Athlete’s Plate: Vegetarian Diet (pdf)
Athlete’s Plate: Gluten Free (pdf)
Cutting Weight Handout (pdf)
Allergy Sensitivities Handout (pdf)
Hydration Handout (pdf)
Nutrition Recommendations for Concussion Recovery (pdf)
Nutrition Recommendations for Fractures and Bone Health Recovery (pdf)
Nutrition Recommendations for Immobilization and Surgery Recovery (pdf)
Nutrition Recommendations for Tendon and Ligament Healing (pdf)
NATA News Article: Athletes, Cancer and Nutrition Considerations - Feb. 2016 (pdf)
Can Endurance Athletes Benefit from Protein Supplements?
Weight Loss Resolution? Add Sleep to Your Plan
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late: 3 Reasons to Fuel During a Tennis Match
Intuitive Eating: When Weight Loss Isn’t the Answer
Additional Resources
NEDA’s Coaches and Trainers Toolkit
NIMH’s Eating Disorders: About More Than Food
NCAA: Disordered Eating in Student-Athletes: Understanding the Basics and What We Can Do About It
AOSSM: Focus on Nutrition May Maximize Sports Performance
Vegetarian
Vegetarian Resource Group: Sports Nutrition Guidelines for the Vegetarian
AND: Sports Nutrition for Vegetarians
Dietitians of Canada: Eating Well for Vegetarian Athletes
Sponsored Content: Vegetarian Diet (pdf)
Dairy Free
New York Times: Can Athletes Perform Well on a Vegan Diet?
Sponsored Content
Sweat Breakdown (pdf)
Gluten-Free Diet (pdf)
Injury Recovery Diet (pdf)
Inside an Athlete's Diet (pdf)
Low Carb Diet (pdf)
* For more information about The Healthy Eating Plate, please see The Nutrition Source, Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, www.thenutritionsource.org, and Harvard Health Publications, www.health.harvard.edu.