Three Common Nutrition Mistakes Among Athletes.

3 Common Nutrition Mistakes Among Athletes

Low carb, low fat, carnivore, keto…. What’s the right approach?

All of these trends can make understanding nutritional needs confusing trying to navigate “how” to eat.

While each of these “strategies” have a place, it is important to understand that the body requires energy from carbohydrate, fat, & protein sources to perform its best.

It’s also important to understand your desired goal, so you can fuel your body efficiently for that goal to minimize frustration in the process.

In this article we are going to have a casual discussion reinforcing why nutrition is, I will argue, the number one foundation of optimizing performance & energy for everyday life & for sport. Of course, other foundations (that I teach in my mentorships & workshops) are also very important, but nutrition drives the show. And guess what? YOU have 100% control over your nutrition & fueling your body.  

Nutrition fuels our entire system.

Your body relies on the nutrients you provide it to run the entire machine, from continuous tasks such as breathing & allowing your heart to beat, to digestion, stress management, helping your body feel it’s best energetically, mentally & physically, to more specific asks, such as muscle growth, and fat loss.

ENERGY IS REQUIRED FOR EVERYTHING. Energy = NUTRITION.

So what if you’re an active person, doing more than just sitting, sleeping, & breathing? Your body requires MORE ENERGY to support your activity levels. 

What if you’re a competitive athlete looking to improve speed, muscle mass, or endurance? YOU NEED EVEN MORE ENERGY to give your body the fuel it needs to accomplish these goals!  

So what are 3 mistakes I see everyday athletes make?

1 - Not Drinking Enough Water

The number one nutrient of all time: WATER.

Water plays a critical role in thermoregulation, delivering oxygen to muscles, lubricating joints, cognitive function, & more. Dehydration affects mood, concentration, headaches, & irritability. Ever get muscle cramps or fatigue? Dehydration may be a factor. Other benefits of hydration? Boosted athletic performance and reduced injury risk. Drink your water.

Even slight dehydration can significantly impair athletic performance.

2 - Not Eating Enough

This is rooted in a few things. Many adults begin working out, or taking on a new sport/discipline when they decide they want to live a healthier lifestyle. They take on a sport in response to weight gain, low activity jobs, & to combat low energy levels. 

Many people begin new endeavors while simultaneously “dieting,” & unknowingly keep themselves in that dieting phase for longer than they need to. Unfortunately, under fueling can lead to injury, poor recovery, & low energy since the body has to prioritize which metabolic tasks it will perform with the little amount of fuel it is provided. Injury, as you know, can take folks out of the game, leading to frustration & disappointment among other things.

If you don’t fuel the machine, you’re not going to get the desired results.  Fuel your body properly for the activity level you are pursuing.

3 - Not Eating Enough Carbohydrates

Unfortunately we live in an era of the low-carb diet. While low-carb diets have their place in certain nutritional strategies & some health reasons, it is important to remember that the body needs an adequate amount of carbohydrates, proteins, & fats to fuel most people optimally. Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy. For athletes, especially endurance athletes, the body needs energy from simple & complex carbohydrates for the quick & readily available energy they provide, as well as recovery. Bottom line:

Nutrition drives performance, recovery, and injury prevention.

 Are you fueling your body effectively for your current goal?

NEXT STEPS

Want to better understand your specific nutritional needs for your lifestyle or goal? Book a one hour consultation with me to build your own personalized fueling strategy to support your goals & activity level. Let’s make sure you’re on the right track & efficiently supporting the goal!

Now enrolling for VIP 1:1 Coaching & my 8 week SPRING INTO SUMMER Body Transformation Challenge as well. I am excited to help you dial in your nutrition to match your goals.

You are STRONG.

You are BEAUTIFUL.

You are an ATHLETE.

Never quit working toward that goal.

~ Coach Savannah

1 — SBA Performance Mentorship

SIGNATURE GROUP PROGRAM WITH OTHER POWERHOUSE WOMEN

Navigate a fat loss goal while learning the SBA Foundations Framework to help you perform even better every day. Elevate your life in 12 weeks by losing 10+ pounds, simplifying, focusing on one thing, learning nutrition basics, fueling for performance & learning sustainment practices for life in the SBA Foundations Framework.

Begins Monday, January 13th , 2025

2 — VIP 1:1 Coaching

A 1:1 PROGRAM FOR THE POWERHOUSE WOMAN

The same content offered in the SBA Performance Mentorship above, but on a 1:1 basis if group coaching platforms aren’t your thing, if you’re seeking privacy, or if you’re worried about time commitment. A 1:1 intensive coaching experience to elevate your life in 12 weeks.

Begins when you’re ready to dive in.