The negative health outcomes of under-fuelling are well known. They may include reproductive dysfunction, poor bone health, or gastrointestinal issues- to name a few (click here to find out more). However, less discussed is the performance outcomes of under-fuelling. The irony of this is that many athletes reduce their food Read more…
Relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) causes the body to go into energy saving mode. This is why athletes with RED-S often have a stable body weight despite under-fueling (for more information on RED-S, click here). One of the ways the body saves energy is by impacting thyroid function. Read Read more…
Recovering from RED-S (click here to find out more about RED-S) and disordered eating does not occur overnight. It is a process that takes ongoing effort to challenge and change maladaptive behaviours and thoughts surrounding food and exercise. The holidays can be particularly hard for those struggling. The disruption in Read more…
As I mentioned last week (click here if you missed it), weight is not a good indicator if you have RED-S. This is because a calorie deficit doesn’t always equal weight loss. You can be undereating and your weight can be stable. Read on to find out how this works. Read more…
RED-S stands for relative energy deficiency in sport. Low energy availability causes RED-S. Low energy availability occurs when you do not eat enough calories to cover both exercising calories and the calories required to keep the body working. Low energy availability causes the body to go into an energy saving Read more…
Last week I discussed periodizing carb intake to training demands, and how carb needs will vary day to day (click here if you missed it). I also mentioned that carb needs should also take into consideration the goals of that training session. If you want to perform at your best, Read more…
If you’ve been reading my past blogs, then you know that carbs are key for optimal performance. Carb requirements are not static. How much you require will change day to day depending on how much you training. As a general rule of thumb, on days when you are training less, Read more…
Intuitive eating is an approach to eating that promotes trusting and listening to the body. While intuitive eating centers around the premise of eating when hungry and stopping when full, this is an oversimplification. Becoming an intuitive eater is a process that takes extensive practice and unlearning a lifetime of Read more…
Most people know that calcium and vitamin D are important for strong bones, but this certainly still holds true, there are many other nutrients that also play an important role in keeping bones strong. One that might come as a surprise is…… carbohydrates. That’s right. Eating enough carbohydrates can help Read more…