Did you know that 80% of an athlete's performance is determined by what they eat? It’s time to rethink the way you approach your diet if you're serious about reaching your fitness goals. Whether you're an elite athlete or simply looking to improve your fitness, nutrition plays a crucial role in achieving success. A sports nutritionist can make a world of difference in your performance, health, and body composition. In this blog, we explore why professional nutrition support is a game-changer and how Nutrition and co can help unlock your full potential.
Athletic performance heavily relies on how well you fuel your body. A sports nutritionist helps optimise your diet to ensure you have the energy and nutrients necessary to perform at your best. Whether you’re training for a marathon, competing in team sports, or simply aiming to improve your workout results, the right nutrition can enhance endurance, strength, recovery, and focus.
Case study example
For instance, one of our clients, S.M age, 26, female professional ballet dancer story :
"Before I met Jenaed, I was struggling in ways I didn’t fully understand. As a competitive dancer training 6–7 days a week, my life revolved around rehearsals, performances, and trying to maintain the "perfect" physique. But behind the scenes, I was exhausted. I was constantly fatigued, my performance felt stagnant, and I hadn't had a menstrual cycle in over a year. Deep down, I knew something wasn’t right.
I had trouble recovering after intense rehearsals, was prone to minor injuries, and even experienced mood swings and trouble concentrating. I blamed it on overtraining, but Jenaed, a sports dietitian, opened my eyes to something I had overlooked: energy deficiency. She recognised that I had medium-high risk Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) (After blood tests and sports physician input).
Jenaed's approach was holistic and compassionate. She helped me understand that fueling my body properly wasn’t just about calories—it was about energy availability, timing, and balance. She implemented strategies that completely transformed my routine.
The outcomes were nothing short of life-changing. My energy levels skyrocketed, and I felt stronger and more agile in my training. I began recovering faster between rehearsals, and my endurance improved significantly. My mood stabilized, I stopped experiencing injuries, and, most importantly, my menstrual cycle returned.
Seeing Jenaed not only improved my performance but also changed my perspective on what it means to be a healthy, thriving athlete. She taught me that fueling my body wasn’t a weakness but a superpower—and for that, I’ll forever be grateful."
From pre-workout meals to post-training recovery snacks, a nutritionist can guide you to maximise your performance at every stage. They can advise on the right fuel to keep your body functioning at its peak, helping you train harder, recover faster, and perform better.
What Jenaed did as a sports dietitian
Increasing Energy Intake: We calculated my energy expenditure, and I realized I was under-eating by a significant amount. She encouraged me to add more nutrient-dense snacks and meals throughout the day.
Prioritizing Carbohydrates: I had been restricting carbs, but she taught me they’re essential for fueling high-intensity training like dance.
Protein Timing: She emphasized the importance of consuming protein post-training and throughout the day to aid muscle repair and recovery.
Restoring My Menstrual Cycle: By ensuring I met my energy needs and reducing stress, my menstrual cycle eventually returned.
Monitoring Recovery: She introduced me to simple ways to track my recovery, like listening to my body's hunger cues, improving hydration, and getting enough sleep.
Mindset Shift: We worked on my relationship with food, focusing on fueling performance rather than restricting.
Why prioritising your wellbeing is important as an athlete
Health isn’t just about how you feel on a daily basis—it’s about long-term wellness. A sports nutritionist doesn’t just help you with food choices to enhance performance; they also ensure your body is getting all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed for overall health.
Proper nutrition plays a major role in boosting immunity, improving sleep quality, managing stress, and supporting mental clarity—all of which directly impact your physical well-being. Working with a sports nutritionist can help you manage stress levels and ensure you're not overtraining, which can affect your immune system and overall health.
Whether you're looking to lose weight, gain muscle, or maintain a healthy body composition, a sports nutritionist can help tailor a plan specific to your goals. Proper nutrition supports fat loss, muscle gain, and recovery—all factors that contribute to improved body composition.
A personalised approach ensures you're eating the right foods in the right amounts to achieve a healthier, stronger body. A sports nutritionist will take into account your specific goals, activity levels, and body type to create a customised nutrition strategy.
Signs It’s Time to See a Sports Dietitian
It’s not always obvious when you should seek professional nutrition support. But if you're facing any of these challenges or goals, it might be time to get expert guidance from a sports dietitian:
Performance Goals:
If you have specific performance targets, like running a personal best, increasing strength, or improving endurance, a sports nutritionist can help you develop a diet plan tailored to achieving these goals.
Complex Nutritional Needs:
If you have complex dietary needs—whether due to training intensity, busy schedules, or lifestyle choices—a sports nutritionist can ensure you're meeting those needs effectively. They can help optimise your nutrition plan to keep you energised, healthy, and on track.
Special Diets or Restrictions:
If you follow a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or other restricted diet, working with a nutritionist can ensure you're getting all the necessary nutrients without compromising on performance or health. They can help you make informed food choices that align with your dietary preferences or restrictions.
Body Composition Goals:
Whether you're trying to lose fat, build muscle, or maintain a healthy weight, a sports nutritionist can provide guidance on macronutrient distribution, calorie intake, and meal timing. They help ensure your nutrition plan aligns with your body composition goals while keeping you healthy and energised.
Health Challenges:
If you're dealing with health challenges like stress, fatigue, digestive issues, or other medical conditions, a sports nutritionist can work with you to manage these concerns through diet. Proper nutrition can support healing, reduce inflammation, and even help manage chronic health conditions.
Why nutrition matters
The right foods fuel muscles, enhance recovery, and can make the difference between winning and losing." This is why working with a sports nutritionist can elevate your performance beyond just the physical training aspect.
How a Sports Nutritionist Can Help
A sports nutritionist can guide you through the following key areas:
Meal Planning: Help you plan meals that fuel your body for optimal performance and recovery.
Supplementation: Advise on any necessary supplements that can support your training and health needs.
Hydration Strategies: Ensure you're drinking the right amount of fluids at the right times for peak hydration.
Recovery Nutrition: Provide guidance on what to eat after exercise to speed up recovery and muscle repair.
Conclusion: The Difference a Sports Nutritionist Can Make
"Nutrition is just one pillar of health. There are many other elements, including fun, recreation, connection, and socialising," says Jenaed Brodell (Sports Performance Dietitian).
A sports nutritionist isn’t just a luxury for elite athletes—it's a valuable resource for anyone committed to improving their performance, health, and body composition. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to get started—take the first step now!
Ready to take the first step towards better performance, health, and body composition? Book a consultation with a Nutrition and co today and start your journey to success!
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