Sports Nutritionists Near Me

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FAQs:

What is Sports Nutrition?

Sports nutrition is the study and practice of nutrition and diet with regard to improving anyone's athletic performance. Nutrition is an important part of many sports training regimens, being popular in strength sports (such as weightlifting and bodybuilding) and endurance sports (e.g. cycling, running, swimming, rowing). Sports nutrition focuses its studies on the type, as well as the number of fluids and food taken by an athlete. In addition, it deals with the consumption of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, supplements, and organic substances that include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

What Does A Sports Nutritionist Do?

A sports nutritionist advises athletes on nutritional regimes that allow for optimal performance.  They must understand the effects that foods have on the human body. Sports nutrition specialists study the types and quantities of foods and fluids that should be consumed by an athlete.  They also study the particular organic substances that are most important for athletes competing in a given sport. Sports nutritionists must develop eating regimes for athletes.  They know how to properly balance the athlete’s intake of substances such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Those who work as sports nutritionists – or sports dietitians – must advise athletes on what foods should make up their diets given them:

- particular body types

- training routines

- athletic goals

A sports nutritionist might work for colleges and athletic teams on the professional and Olympic levels. Each state usually has certification procedures for those working as dietitians or nutritionists. However, the title of nutritionist is often less strictly regulated than the title of dietitian.

A sports nutritionist must be able to consult with athletes regarding their ideal diet. They must also be able to work the athlete’s desired peak of physical conditioning into the devised dietary regime. Athletes typically need to peak or reach their highest level of performance, at a given point in time during their season. This peak of performance will to some extent be determined by dietary factors.  The best sports nutritionist will know how to achieve this peak through dietary measures.

What is the Difference Between a Sports and a General Nutritionist?

General nutritionists work with the average person who does not spend their day being physically active. A general nutritionist may teach their clients how to eat healthily and maintain their weight or lose weight in a safe manner. A sports nutrition specialist, on the other hand, will design plans that specifically increase stamina and help repair muscles and tendons following a strenuous workout.  By providing sports nutrition education, these health professionals keep athletes in top physical shape.  To work in this field, you will need specialized knowledge in physiology.

Is a Sports Nutritionist the Same as a Sports Dietitian?

A sports nutritionist and a sports dietician are not the same things.  A sports dietician is a sports nutritionist, but a sports nutritionist is not necessarily a sports dietician.  A sports dietician has completed an undergraduate degree in dietetics along with an internship.  They must pass a national exam to become a Registered Dieticians through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Why is Nutrition Important in Sports?

Nutrition is important in sports as it impacts performance. Proper nutrition can also enhance recovery and sleep, two factors that closely impact performance.2 Timing of meals is more important for athletes than the general population—consuming food too close to activity can hinder performance, and it is important to consume the proper combination of foods so as not to cause digestion issues. An individualized nutrition plan can aid athletes in achieving specific goals while also adhering to their food preferences. Sports nutrition helps to assess hydration status and prevent and treat injury.

What Do Athletes Typically Eat?

The diet of athletes varies from sport to sport. While the proper balance of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate, and fat), and their timing, are crucial, athletes also benefit from diets rich in antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress on the body and to aid in repair.3 Other nutrients, such as iron, vitamin D, and electrolytes are key in an athlete's diet. A registered dietitian who specializes in sports nutrition, or a qualified professional who has earned their CSSD, can plan adequate nutrition and hydration while educating on the timing of these elements for peak performance.

How Much Does a Nutritionist Appointment Cost?

The average cost of a nutritionist appointment in the US ranges from $70 to $100. The prices for an initial consultation vary between $100 and $200, and you can expect to pay $50 to $150 for each follow-up visit.

Are Nutritionists Covered By Health Insurance?

The answer to this question varies, depending upon the reason why a client is visiting a nutritionist. Under the Affordable Care Act, nutrition services are available to all adults who are at risk for chronic diseases, in the form of nutritional counseling, with no copayment charged. This is true no matter how the client is insured – through Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance. Here, we will examine scenarios in which nutritionists are and are not covered by insurance.

What is the Difference Between Nutrition and Sports Nutrition?

Good nutrition is essential to good health, no matter who you are. Sports nutrition takes the principles of good nutrition a step further. It looks at what you do with your body and tailors both the things you eat and when you eat them to enhance your activities. 

Sports nutrition also takes into account the various nutritional needs of different sports. If you’re a weightlifter, you’re going to eat differently than a swimmer. Tailoring nutrition to activities can do amazing things for athletes of all shapes, sizes, and persuasions. It can do the following:

- Maximize growth, development, and performance at the same time

- Maximize concentration, strength, and speed

- Minimize fatigue and enjoy the process

- Reduce errors

- Optimize training

- Minimize recovery time

- Avoid plateaus

- Maintain health and reduce injuries

- Attain and maintain ideal body composition

Sports nutrition gives “eating to live” a whole new meaning. Nutrition is just nutrition. Sports nutrition will get you to where you want to go. Following a good sports nutrition program can enhance athletic performance and decrease injuries.

Where Do Sports Nutritionists Work?

Sports nutritionists have the training and flexibility to work in fitness clubs, private practices, and hospitals or as consultants for professional athletes or professional athletic teams.

How Can a Sports Nutritionist Help You Create Healthy Lifestyle Choices?

During the initial consultation with a sports nutritionist, they will ask you questions about your health and nutritional needs. Once they have thorough information about your eating habits and nutritional needs, they will work on diet plans that will help the athlete achieve their goal. They enhance their performance apart from suggesting diets by asking the athletes to go cycling, participate in various triathlons and take up running in a marathon. Overall, a sports nutritionist is the one who can suggest the best course of action for someone who wants to make improvements to their lifestyle by taking into account their intake of food.

History of Sports Nutrition

Historians consider the first studies of sports nutrition to be those of carbohydrate and fat metabolism conducted in Sweden in the late 1930s. In the late 1960s, Scandinavian scientists began to study muscle glycogen storage, use, and resynthesis associated with prolonged exercise. Technology was also developed to help those scientists measure human tissue responses to exercise. In the 1970s exercise physiologists worldwide, but particularly in the United States, began to develop exercise physiology laboratories at universities and to study trained athletes.

Some research on protein was conducted, but studying protein was much more difficult than studying carbohydrates because protein is found in so many different places in the body. Bodybuilders were particularly interested in knowing more about how to obtain the maximum amount of protein and the highest rate of protein synthesis in skeletal muscles, but there was little research to answer their questions. Some scientists questioned whether bodybuilding was a sport; many considered it more of a sideshow compared to other athletic competitions. For these and other reasons, bodybuilders began to learn about nutrition via personal experimentation and trial and error. Although there is more research on protein today, many of the fundamental questions about the amount and timing of protein intake remain because of the difficulty of studying these subjects. The optimal amount of protein intake for athletes continues to be a controversial subject.

The 1980s marked the emergence of the field known as sports nutrition. Considering its importance in supporting excellent athletic performance, sports nutrition as a specialized discipline developed relatively late. Initially, much of the focus was on endurance athletes, which paralleled the exercise physiology research that was being conducted. In fact, athletes were typically characterized as either endurance or strength athletes. Endurance athletes often focused primarily on carbohydrate intake; strength athletes focused primarily on protein intake.

During this time tremendous advances were being made in the training of athletes. By the 1990s resistance training was becoming a part of nearly all training and conditioning programs, including those for endurance athletes. Many predominantly strength athletes were beginning to incorporate more aerobic activities into their training. Strength athletes more carefully considered their carbohydrate intake, and endurance athletes were more thoughtful about their protein intake. Athletes also began to train harder and for longer periods than in the past. Nutrition was widely recognized as a way to support training and speed recovery. It became clear that the intensity and duration of training were major influences on athletes' nutritional needs.

Benefits Of Sports Nutrition

The ideal diet for an athlete is not very different from the diet recommended for any healthy person. And while certain sports require the athlete to fit a certain weight group or body fat, the benefits of nutrition in sports span beyond just aesthetics.

1. Enables you to train longer and harder

2. Delays onset of fatigue

3. Maintains a healthy immune system

4. Enhances performance

5. Improves recovery

6. Improves body composition

7. Reduces potential of injury

8. Helps with focus and concentration

The 5 Golden Rules of Sports Nutrition

In order to understand what comprises the golden rules of sports nutrition we first need to identify its ultimate goals. When we work with clients and are building their nutrition programs, sometimes we say things like “This may not make sense now, but it will in time” as we do things that may seem counter-intuitive at first – such as increasing their calories to actually lose weight. Why is this relevant? Because we need to comprehend the notion that in sport, whether it is endurance or strength, we are asking our bodies to do extraordinary things; so, we must feed it in extraordinary ways.

Based on these main goals, here are the Five Golden Rules of Sports Nutrition.

1. Avoid working out on an empty stomach.

If you haven’t eaten within the 2 hours prior to training grab a banana, an electrolyte drink, or something else that is light to keep your blood sugar steady.

2. Don’t miss your breakfast.

This seems to set the tone for how your body utilizes nutrients throughout the day. We often hear that people “aren’t hungry” when they get ready for the day, and that’s perfectly okay. It is recommended to start with something simple like an egg and a piece of fruit, or a glass of milk and a granola bar. Try being consistent for a week, let your body adjust to having nutrients in the morning and then you can progress from there.

3. Have the meals 2-3 days prior to your event all planned out.

In doing so, you’ll ensure your body has what it needs for your event and the tank is “topped off” so to speak. We see so many athletes “wing it” and then wonder why they bonk or get dizzy or feel lethargic on race day. To make planning easier, stick with foods you already know you like and won’t create any stomach distress. Stay away from foods with a high saturated fat content, or high fiber content. You’ll always want to match up a carb with a protein – stick to a 2:1 or 3:1 carb-to-protein ratio so insulin is in check and blood sugar stays stable.

4. Never skip your recovery meal.

If you’re skipping recovery nutrition, you’re skipping out on the ability to produce results from your training program. Figure out what recovery protocol works for your training, implement it within the precious 30-45 minutes after your workout, and eat within another 90 minutes after that…watch your performance soar.

5. Get in a nutrient-dense snack before bed.

By nutrient-dense I mean some healthy fats, nuts, berries, and protein – foods that will not spike blood sugar, but help keep it from dropping during the night.

Sports Nutrition Myths and Facts

There are a few widely-accepted ideas about sports nutrition that are completely false. For some reason, there’s a lot of incorrect information about this area; such falsehoods can lead people to make incorrect assumptions. For example: Eating well and staying in shape cost a lot of money. Many people hold the belief that it’s not possible to eat healthy meals or get in good shape unless you have a high income to pay for gym memberships, personal trainers, expensive ingredients, and good foods. In fact, getting in shape doesn’t require a personal trainer or access to a high-class gym at all. Just open the door, leave your house, and start walking.

I can eat whatever I want because I exercise. Not true. You may be able to eat bigger portions, but the quality of your diet is really important. If you eat low-quality food, your health will suffer. Healthy food benefits you by boosting your immune system and providing you with antioxidants. People who work out a lot must be healthy. People aren’t automatically healthy just because they exercise a lot. The amount and quality of exercise have nothing to do with the rest of this person’s lifestyle and the quality of the nutrition they consume.

Drink sports drinks instead of water. This philosophy depends on the duration of time you spend exercising. If you’re doing a regular, one-hour-or-less workout, all you need is fresh, pure water. Longer than that, you may benefit from a sports drink, since they contain energy-producing carbohydrates. They also include the electrolytes that replace the ones you lost through perspiration.

If you want to build your muscles, you have to eat a lot of protein. It takes much less protein than you probably think to build muscles. Eat one serving of approximately 0.8 grams of protein for every pound of your body. Your most important energy source when you exercise should be carbohydrates.

Basic Sports Nutrition Advice

When it comes to sports nutrition, recommendations are highly individualized based on a number of factors, including your sport, position, training experience, and on/off-season status.

However, a good amount of sports nutrition advice is applicable to most athletes, regardless of their sport. To support high-intensity training or competition, you’ll want to focus on consuming a variety of nutrient-dense foods from the five basic food groups:

- fruits

- vegetables

- grains

- lean proteins

- low-fat dairy or dairy alternatives

In general, the foods you choose should be minimally processed to maximize their nutritional value. You should also minimize added preservatives and avoid excessive sodium. It’s OK to consume prepared convenience foods on occasion. Just make sure the macronutrients are in line with your goals.

Here are the main things to focus on when building a high-performance eating plan:

- Include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that provide important vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.

- Prioritize whole grains over refined grains, making at least half the grains you eat whole.

- Include a variety of lean proteins such as chicken, pork, fish, turkey, eggs, soy products, and meat alternatives.

- Increase your intake of low-fat dairy or dairy alternatives.

- Use oils such as olive oil instead of butter and margarine to boost your intake of healthy fats.

- Regularly include wild-caught fatty fish such as salmon in your diet to ensure good omega-3 intake, if you don’t eat fish, seek out plant-based omega-3s such as chia seeds and walnuts.

- Focus on foods that are high in potassium, fiber, calcium, and vitamin D, as these nutrients tend to be lacking in traditional diets.

- By starting out with these basic eating principles, you’ll be well on your way to building a high-performance diet and supporting your training through nutrition.

What Conditions are Appropriate for Sports Nutrition?

Athletic Performance

- Poor eating habits

- Under-fueling for sports competition

- Overweight athletes

- Underweight athletes

- Fatigue

- Disordered eating in athletes

- Sports supplement use

Medical Concerns

- Iron deficiency anemia

- Low bone mineral density

- Nutrition relating to stress fractures

- Irregular menstrual cycles

- GI upset with exercise

- Food allergies/intolerances

- Athletes with diabetes

Qualities to Look for in a Sports Nutritionist

Finding a qualified sports nutritionist who is a good fit is essential for your success. When you know what to look for in a sports dietitian, it’s easier to disregard those who aren’t qualified.

Education

Becoming a sports nutritionist requires education in food science, exercise science, and exercise physiology. Most sports nutritionists have a bachelor’s degree, and many have a master’s degree. Look for professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition science, dietetics, or related science. 

Credentials

A qualified sports nutritionist has credentials indicating professional competency. In addition to a bachelor’s degree, a registered dietitian nutritionist has the initials RD or RDN after their name. These professionals carry an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics certification. Many sports nutritionists belong to the Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association.

Specializations

After narrowing your list to nutritionists with the proper credentials to provide nutrition therapy, check their specializations. Look for sports nutritionists who hold a sports nutrition certification, indicating that they have completed additional training to provide sports nutrition therapy to athletes.

Experience

Athletes’ nutrition requirements differ from the nutritional needs of the general population. You want to work with a professional who understands sports dietetics. If you have a medical condition or follow a special diet, hire a sports nutritionist who has experience providing clinical nutrition guidance alongside athletic advice.

Bear in mind that not every sports nutritionist will have an interest or expertise in your particular sport. Look for a registered dietitian nutritionist with experience supporting athletes in the activities you love.

Responsibilities of a Sports Nutritionist

Sports nutritionists typically have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

1. Developing individualized nutrition plans for each client, including educating them about the plan and monitoring their progress

2. Conducting research on topics related to sports nutrition, including new products or ingredients that may help improve performance or recovery time

3. Teaching athletes how to eat nutritiously by providing customized meal plans that are suited to each individual’s lifestyle and training schedule

4. Consulting with coaches or trainers to discuss athlete performance issues or concerns

5. Designing, managing, and administering nutrition programs for individuals or groups (including teams or other organizations) who are focused on improving their health through diet and exercise

6. Evaluating clients’ current eating habits and recommending changes based on the latest scientific research regarding nutrition and health

7. Providing nutritional counseling to clients who are experiencing health problems due to poor diet choices

8. Assessing client needs based on their personal goals, lifestyle, culture, and ethnicity, and developing a personalized nutrition plan to meet those needs

9. Educating clients about proper nutrition and helping them make healthy food choices in order to reach their goals

Different Sports Nutritionist Skills

Sports nutritionists need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is another important skill for a sports nutritionist. They often work with clients one-on-one to help them develop a nutrition plan and understand how to follow it. They also communicate with other health professionals to ensure their clients receive the best care.

Leadership: Leadership skills can help you become a successful sports nutritionist. You may be responsible for developing nutrition plans for your clients, and leadership skills can help you motivate them to follow your recommendations. Leadership skills can also help you manage your own time and the time of your staff.

Scientific knowledge: Nutritionists need to be knowledgeable about the latest scientific research and discoveries related to nutrition. They use this information to develop effective nutrition plans for their clients. Nutritionists also use scientific information to explain the effects of certain foods and nutrition practices on the body.

Organization: Nutritionists often have multiple clients at a time, so it’s important for them to be organized. This allows them to manage their time effectively and ensure they provide their clients with the best service possible. Nutritionists also use organization skills when creating meal plans for their clients. This ensures they meet the client’s dietary needs and goals.

Sports nutrition: A sports nutritionist’s knowledge of nutrition is an important skill for their career. They use this skill to create nutrition plans for their clients, which may include meal plans, workout plans, and other dietary needs. They also use this skill to educate their clients on the importance of nutrition and how it can affect their health and athletic performance.

The 4Rs Of Sports Nutrition

To ensure casual and professional athletes alike properly support healthy recovery following rigorous exercise, they should follow the Four Rs – all of which are rooted in sports nutrition.

1. Rehydrate

One of the first goals after completing a workout or training session is to rehydrate the body by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes. The amount of hydration needed depends on factors such as the training environment, exercise intensity, and personal sweat rate.

2. Refuel

If we don’t refuel by eating the right amounts and types of food to support the demands of exercise, we can experience decreased metabolism, depleted bone health, negative hormonal shifts, weakened immunity, and compromised heart health.

3. Repair

Muscle protein synthesis (MPS) is activated by, for example, resistance exercise or the ingestion of dietary protein. When we consume high-quality protein after a workout, we experience a big nutritional boost that positively promotes MPS. This creates the environment for effective muscles to repair and grow. Without sufficient protein, the body will enter a state called negative nitrogen balance, which leads to muscle loss, decreased performance, intolerance to training load, injury, and disease. By combining a carbohydrate with a protein in a meal or snack following exercise, you can improve muscle repair and build strength. Remember that you gain the most benefit when you pair protein with carbohydrates.

4. Rest & Revive

Antioxidants are substances found in vitamin C-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. They are also found in herbs and spices. Antioxidants help reduce the stress that is produced during the body’s inflammatory response. They can reduce muscle soreness and tissue damage. Antioxidants can help the body bounce back easier from one training session to the next. Additionally, the benefits of adequate, consistent, and restful sleep are massive. Pre-sleep nutrition strategies can help take your recovery to the next level. This includes a pre-bedtime snack rich in complex carbohydrates, quality proteins, antioxidant-dense fruits, micronutrient-laden veggies, and sources of melatonin. Consult a dietitian to make sure your regimen suits your needs and health status before making sweeping dietary and sleep routine changes.

Sources:

Sofia Health

Wikipedia

Sports Management

Very Well Fit

PARC

IINH

Training Peaks

Top Nutrition Coaching

Swimming World

Nationwide Childrens

Human Kinetics

Learn

IISM

CLIMB

Midwest Orthopedic

Healthline

 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.