What NOT to Eat Before a Triathlon

How many calories should you be eating each day as a triathlete? I’m asked this question constantly, but it’s not as simple as just giving you a number. There are so many factors to consider and a lot of misinformation that can confuse things. Don’t worry though! This week, I’m breaking down the topic of calories and giving you simple straightforward advice that can enhance you’re training and performance.    As a triathlete, your caloric needs are unique and far greater than the general population. You’re not just training for one sport, but three, which means your body requires more energy to sustain those training hours. Unfortunately, many triathletes underestimate how much they need to fuel their bodies properly, which can hinder performance. Every triathlete is unique, and your caloric intake should reflect that. Your daily caloric needs are impacted by various factors such as age, gender, body composition, and most importantly, your training intensity and duration. For example, the caloric demands of an Ironman competitor will vastly differ from someone preparing for a sprint race or in the off-season.  To determine your caloric requirements, it's essential to grasp the concept of Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE), which includes: 1. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): The amount of energy required for your body to function at rest, making up about 60-75% of your needs.    2. Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT): Energy expended through daily activities such as walking or household chores.    3. Thermic Effect of Food (TEF): Calories burned through the digestion process, accounting for about 10% of your TDEE.    4. Exercise-Associated Thermogenesis: Calories burned during training sessions, varying greatly depending on the intensity and type of activity. When consuming calories, focus not just on the quantity but the quality. A total caloric target compounds into the macronutrient distribution: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for triathletes, while proteins aid in muscle recovery and repair. Fats offer high caloric density but are vital for their anti-inflammatory benefits.  Instead of following a static number, it's crucial to periodise your nutrition in keeping with your training phases. Adjust your intake over the course of a week, month, or year as training loads vary. There will be times to drive a slight caloric deficit for body fat loss, and others when maintaining or slight surplus is necessary. Lastly, it’s important to listen to your body's cues. Being consistently hungry or frequently sick might indicate that your nutritional strategy requires tweaking. Remember, achieving balance in properly fuelling your body translates into increased training availability, thereby enhancing your overall performance.  If you wish to delve deeper into understanding your personalised caloric needs and how to optimally meet them, consider joining the Triathlon Nutrition Academy, where we provide personalised support to help you achieve your performance objectives.  Remember, a well-nourished triathlete is a successful triathlete.    LINKS: Support the TNA Podcast: https://www.dietitianapproved.com/legend Check how well you’re doing when it comes to your nutrition with our 50 step checklist to Triathlon Nutrition Mastery: dietitianapproved.com/checklist   Start working on your nutrition now with my Triathlon Nutrition Kickstart course: dietitianapproved.com/kickstart It’s for you if you’re a triathlete and you feel like you’ve got your training under control and you’re ready to layer in your nutrition. It's your warmup on the path to becoming a SUPERCHARGED triathlete – woohoo!   Join the waitlist for our next opening of the Triathlon Nutrition Academy www.dietitianapproved.com/academy   Website: www.dietitianapproved.com Instagram: @Dietitian.Approved  @triathlonnutritionacademy Facebook: www.facebook.com/DietitianApproved The Triathlon Nutrition Academy is a podcast by Dietitian Approved. All rights reserved. www.dietitianapproved.com/academySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Dec 202426min

We're back with part two of my conversation with Sam Shepard, a researcher and fellow nutrition enthusiast, about the science of energy production. Last week, we went in-depth on carbohydrates, so make sure you’ve listened to that one. Today, we’re talking about the benefits (and drawbacks) of fat adaptation. So what exactly is fat adaptation? Fat adaptation is when your body uses fat as its main energy source rather than carbohydrates. This can be extremely beneficial for low-intensity exercise but causes issues when you’re doing high-intensity session. For this reason, our goal should be metabolic flexibility, where our body can switch between fuels based on exercise intensity. This not only boosts endurance but also ensures that you're not overly reliant on carbohydrate intake during your races. Sam shared some strategies and advice for any athletes looking to train for fat adaptation.  Fasted training, especially for low-intensity workouts, can push your body to become more efficient at burning fat.  Think about where you can incoporate fasted sessions into your schedule. For instance, an easy morning run can be done before breakfast to encourage fat utilisation. However, this should be approached with care and potentially under the guidance of a sports nutritionist. Consistently training in this manner can improve your fat oxidative capacity over time without compromising performance. Adjust your carbohydrate intake based on your upcoming workouts. Higher-intensity sessions call for more carbs, whereas lighter training days might need less. This method, often summarised as “fuel for the work required,” allows you to maximise fat burning while still maintaining your body’s ability to perform high-intensity efforts.  Individual circumstances, including work and family commitments, should dictate training and nutrition strategies. Especially for women, considerations around stress and lifestyle factors are crucial when deciding on fasted training. Consulting with a sports dietitian can help tailor these strategies to your specific needs, providing guidance and understanding about why you’re doing it and how to adjust on the fly. Looking ahead, Sam shared insights into emerging research areas, such as how body weight might influence the optimal carbohydrate intake during exercise and the potential role of gut microbiome in nutrient absorption. As exciting as the research is, it’s still evolving  which is another reason why it's so important to get a nutrition strategy that’s individualised to meet your needs.    LINKS: Support the TNA Podcast: https://www.dietitianapproved.com/legend Check how well you’re doing when it comes to your nutrition with our 50 step checklist to Triathlon Nutrition Mastery: dietitianapproved.com/checklist   Start working on your nutrition now with my Triathlon Nutrition Kickstart course: dietitianapproved.com/kickstart It’s for you if you’re a triathlete and you feel like you’ve got your training under control and you’re ready to layer in your nutrition. It's your warmup on the path to becoming a SUPERCHARGED triathlete – woohoo!   Join the waitlist for our next opening of the Triathlon Nutrition Academy www.dietitianapproved.com/academy   Website: www.dietitianapproved.com Instagram: @Dietitian.Approved  @triathlonnutritionacademy Facebook: www.facebook.com/DietitianApproved   The Triathlon Nutrition Academy is a podcast by Dietitian Approved. All rights reserved. www.dietitianapproved.com/academySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Nov 202428min

Carbohydrates and Fats are the body’s main source of energy in endurance sports and getting them right can make or break your race day.  That’s why I invited Sam Shepherd, a researcher and fellow nutrition enthusiast, onto the TNA podcast to discuss the science of energy production and how you can use it to perform at your best.  There’s a lot to talk about here so we’re breaking the conversation into two episodes. This week we’re focusing on carbohydrates, and next week we’ll dive into fats.  Sam begins by sharing studies on the oxidation of carbohydrate and fat during endurance events. They’ve show that carbohydrates are the body’s main source of fuel early on but, after about two hours, fats take the lead. Knowing this can help us make better fuelling choices, but like all things sport nutrition there are a lot more factors to consider. Your fitness level, training status, and environmental conditions (like altitude or temperature), all affect your body's use of carbs and fats during exercise.  The intensity of your exercise can also make a big difference, with higher intensities require more carbohydrates and prolonged moderate intensities relying on fats.  You also need to consider your typical diet. People who eat more fats, will burn more fats and people who have a carbohydrate rich diet, will favour carbohydrates during exercise.  Even your sex can influence these dynamics, with women generally utilising more fat as a fuel compared to men at similar intensities. So how do you find out your fuel oxidation rates? The most precise method is physiological profiling through lab tests. However, these tests are costly and complex, so they’re not accessible for most people. Thankfully, using these general principles to guide your nutrition strategies can still make a huge difference.  We then discussed the ever popular low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet. While this diet can enhance your fat burning ability, it often compromises your capacity for high-intensity workouts. Whether or not to adopt such a dietary approach largely depends on your lifestyle, support system, and training goals. Personally, I've found few athletes who can maintain and benefit from an LCHF lifestyle long-term. It often disrupts life's social and practical aspects, becoming unsustainable despite its potential performance merits. Think you're ready to optimise your energy strategy and leave your competition in the dust? Hold on, there’s more to uncover! Sam will be back for part two, where we’ll dive into fat oxidation and give you practical strategies to fuel for victory. Until then, keep fuelling right, training hard, and racing your best! LINKS: Support the TNA Podcast: https://www.dietitianapproved.com/legend Check how well you’re doing when it comes to your nutrition with our 50 step checklist to Triathlon Nutrition Mastery: dietitianapproved.com/checklist   Start working on your nutrition now with my Triathlon Nutrition Kickstart course: dietitianapproved.com/kickstart It’s for you if you’re a triathlete and you feel like you’ve got your training under control and you’re ready to layer in your nutrition. It's your warmup on the path to becoming a SUPERCHARGED triathlete – woohoo!   Join the waitlist for our next opening of the Triathlon Nutrition Academy www.dietitianapproved.com/academy   Website: www.dietitianapproved.com Instagram: @Dietitian.Approved  @triathlonnutritionacademy Facebook: www.facebook.com/DietitianApproved   The Triathlon Nutrition Academy is a podcast by Dietitian Approved. All rights reserved. www.dietitianapproved.com/academySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Nov 202438min

Around this time last year I shared my list of gift suggestions for triathletes in episode 120 (definitely worth a listen if you haven’t done so already!). This year I’m back with four of Santa's helpers (who are also exceptional triathletes) to share 25 of their top Christmas gift ideas.  From essential gear and training must-haves, to high-tech gadgets and professional services, this episode has something for every budget. So if you’re looking for inspiration or want to drop some hints to friends and family, this episode is for you. Unwrap the complete list of 25 gift ideas at: dietitianapproved.com/xmas Some of the highlights include:  Triathlon is an expensive sport, so one of the best gifts you can give is paying for someone's race entry. Just make sure you’re signing them up for something they’ll actually want to do.  In a similar vein, bulk supplies of someone's nutrition products will always be warmly appreciated.  Heated glove liners are Kelly’s top pick for anyone riding on their bike in chilly weather. Neberon is the brand he uses and has found really effective.  The GoPro Camera can be useful for self-evaluating your swim technique, recording your bike routes, or just for fun!  A professional bike fit is a great gift. It not only helps prevent injury and enhances comfort but could also offer an edge in performance. The Varia Bike Radar is a great gift for people who are riding outside a lot. By alerting you to any approaching cars, trucks, or even pedestrians, it provides peace of mind on long rides.  The SwimBETTER is a wearable device that tracks your hand positions and arm strokes while you’re swimming. It’s pricey but a great gift for anyone looking to improve their swim.   Form’s Smart Swim goggles have an augmented reality display so you can see your real-time metrics as you swim.  Outside of the water, wearable health- trackers, like the Whoop Band or the Oura Ring can be a great choice.  Variety Gel packs, foam rollers, or a soft flask for running can be great stocking-stuffer-type gifts. Many many more! If you want the full list, I’ve compiled it for you at: DietitianApproved.com/xmas.   LINKS: Support the TNA Podcast: https://www.dietitianapproved.com/legend Check how well you’re doing when it comes to your nutrition with our 50 step checklist to Triathlon Nutrition Mastery: dietitianapproved.com/checklist Start working on your nutrition now with my Triathlon Nutrition Kickstart course: dietitianapproved.com/kickstart It’s for you if you’re a triathlete and you feel like you’ve got your training under control and you’re ready to layer in your nutrition. It's your warmup on the path to becoming a SUPERCHARGED triathlete – woohoo! Join the waitlist for our next opening of the Triathlon Nutrition Academy www.dietitianapproved.com/academy   Website: www.dietitianapproved.com Instagram: @Dietitian.Approved  @triathlonnutritionacademy Facebook: www.facebook.com/DietitianApproved The Triathlon Nutrition Academy is a podcast by Dietitian Approved. All rights reserved. www.dietitianapproved.com/academySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 Nov 202431min

As the official race nutrition products for Ironman events, Maurten gels have gained a lot of popularity among endurance athletes. But with two big options on the market, Gel 100 and Gel 160, it can be difficult to know what the right choice is for you. Today I’m breaking down the differences between the two, so you can fuel right and feel your best. Nutrition Content: The biggest difference between Gel 100 and Gel 160 lies in their nutrition content. Gel 100 offers 20mg of sodium as well as 25 grams of carbohydrates, equating to 100 calories. On the other hand, Gel 160 contains 30mg of sodium and 40 grams of carbohydrates at 160 calories. Overall, the Gel 160 is more energy dense, providing higher energy output per gel, but that doesn’t automatically make it the best choice. Your fuelling should be based on your individual needs and race day goals. Caffeine Content: While Gel 100 is available in caffeinated versions, Gel 160 currently isn’t. This might change in the future, but it’s worth noting if caffeine forms part of your fuelling strategy. Cost Considerations: Another important factor is the price of these gels, so I've crunched the numbers for you. Gel 100 comes in a box of 12 gels for $43 which works out as $3.60 per gel Gel 160 on the other hand comes in a box of 10 for $50, which ends up as $5 per gel. While Gel 100 is cheaper per packet, Gel 160 costs less for the amount of carbohydrate you’re getting. Size and Storage: Gel 100 comes in a 40-gram packet, whereas Gel 160 comes in a larger 65-gram packet. It might seem like a small difference but, depending on how much space you have during a race, the smaller package could be considerably more practical. It’s also important to remember that Maurten might not be the course provider forever, or they could change their formulations in a way that no longer suits you. Finding a product that works for you is great, but it’s important for athletes to have a deeper knowledge of their nutrition. That way, you can adjust your race nutrition plan to overcome any unforeseen challenges. If you want to explore your nutrition strategy further consider joining our Triathlon Nutrition Academy program and I’ll help you get started!    LINKS: Podcast Episode 47: What Is A Hydrogel? Does It Improve Endurance Performance with Andy King Support the TNA Podcast: https://www.dietitianapproved.com/legend Check how well you’re doing when it comes to your nutrition with our 50 step checklist to Triathlon Nutrition Mastery: dietitianapproved.com/checklist   Start working on your nutrition now with my Triathlon Nutrition Kickstart course: dietitianapproved.com/kickstart It’s for you if you’re a triathlete and you feel like you’ve got your training under control and you’re ready to layer in your nutrition. It's your warmup on the path to becoming a SUPERCHARGED triathlete – woohoo!   Join the waitlist for our next opening of the Triathlon Nutrition Academy www.dietitianapproved.com/academy   Website: www.dietitianapproved.com Instagram: @Dietitian.Approved  @triathlonnutritionacademy Facebook: www.facebook.com/DietitianApproved   The Triathlon Nutrition Academy is a podcast by Dietitian Approved. All rights reserved. www.dietitianapproved.com/academySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Nov 202414min

As a sports dietitian I’ve studied for years to help you use nutrition to achieve your performance and health goals.   That’s why it frustrates me to no end that people go to literally every other source (like Dr. Google, blogs, podcasts, YouTube, magazines) before talking to an expert. People would rather listen to their coach, a training buddy, naturopaths, chiropractors, literally any other person instead of consulting a qualified sports dietitian. But none of these people are experts, and they shouldn’t be giving advice to others. This is a big reason why there is so much confusion and misinformation around nutrition and I’m sick of spending so much time clearing it up. So today I want to talk about what exactly a sports dietician is and why we should be the gold standard source for your information. So, what is a sports dietician? A sports dietitian is a registered dietitian who specialises in helping athletes enhance performance through nutrition. This profession requires significant regulation and education—think years of university degrees, clinical placements, and further sports nutrition qualifications.  I myself completed a four-year undergraduate degree, followed by additional qualifications, including a diploma from the International Olympic Committee in Sports Nutrition, and maintained extensive ongoing professional development. Many athletes believe that sports dietitians are only for elite athletes, but this is far from true. Working with a sports dietitian is beneficial for any athlete, and to me anyone who deliberately moves their body is an athlete. I specialise in endurance sports which gives me a deep understanding of the nutritional demands of triathletes and how to get them racing at their best. This means tailoring nutrition plans to your training intensity, goals, and recovery needs—ensuring that your nutrition evolves as your training progresses. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach! No two athletes are the same, meaning your nutrition—fuel types, amounts, hydration, electrolytes—should be specific to you. We consider your composed body goals, food preferences, and more, ensuring you're not just balancing macronutrients, but considering micronutrients and hydration as well. And it’s not just about race day! Sports dieticians help at every stage of your journey from training, to race day, to recovery. Many of my athletes didn’t understand recovery nutrition until joining the Triathlon Nutrition Academy and were constantly facing burnout or injury. Tailored post-training nutrition can significantly enhance recovery time, allowing you to push harder in future sessions. Moreover, proper fuelling helps prevent injuries and boosts immunity, keeping you healthy and race ready. Seeing a sports dietitian isn't just about short-term gains. It builds lasting habits that support your health and performance beyond your competitive years. I focus on empowering my athletes with knowledge and skills to take ownership of their nutrition. If you're ready to take that step, consider exploring the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. This programme offers structured support and ongoing development opportunities to transform your nutrition and performance. Keep an eye on our website for upcoming intakes or get started with the Triathlon Nutrition Kickstart course for foundational insights. And remember, you can always continue learning from our podcast and YouTube channel consider joining the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. We open enrolments a few times a year, and it could be a crucial investment in your athletic journey. Or start with our Triathlon Nutrition Kickstart course, which lays essential foundations before joining our bigger programme. Thanks for tuning in and I look forward to speaking with you next week!   LINKS: Support the TNA Podcast: https://www.dietitianapproved.com/legend Check how well you’re doing when it comes to your nutrition with our 50 step checklist to Triathlon Nutrition Mastery: dietitianapproved.com/checklist   Start working on your nutrition now with my Triathlon Nutrition Kickstart course: dietitianapproved.com/kickstart It’s for you if you’re a triathlete and you feel like you’ve got your training under control and you’re ready to layer in your nutrition. It's your warmup on the path to becoming a SUPERCHARGED triathlete – woohoo!   Join the waitlist for our next opening of the Triathlon Nutrition Academy www.dietitianapproved.com/academy   Website: www.dietitianapproved.com Instagram: @Dietitian.Approved  @triathlonnutritionacademy Facebook: www.facebook.com/DietitianApproved The Triathlon Nutrition Academy is a podcast by Dietitian Approved. All rights reserved. www.dietitianapproved.com/academySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

31 Okt 202424min

If you google triathlon meal plan, hundreds of results come up with generic, cookie cutter plans you can follow for free. These are problematic for so many reasons! Generic meal plans in no way take into consideration your individual requirements, your lifestyle, budget, or needs. So what makes for a good triathlon meal plan? There are a few key elements you need: A foundation in whole foods Variety Periodisation to meet your training needs Flexibility Simplicity   Every body is different Every training program is different It’s easy to fuel your body to perform at its best with a little know how. Let me show you :)   LINKS: Check how well you’re doing when it comes to your nutrition with our 50 step checklist to Triathlon Nutrition Mastery: dietitianapproved.com/checklist   Start working on your nutrition now with my Triathlon Nutrition Kickstart course: dietitianapproved.com/kickstart It’s for you if you’re a triathlete and you feel like you’ve got your training under control and you’re ready to layer in your nutrition. It's your warmup on the path to becoming a SUPERCHARGED triathlete – woohoo!   Join the waitlist for our next opening of the Triathlon Nutrition Academy www.dietitianapproved.com/academy   Website: www.dietitianapproved.com Instagram: @Dietitian.Approved  @triathlonnutritionacademy Facebook: www.facebook.com/DietitianApproved   The Triathlon Nutrition Academy is a podcast by Dietitian Approved. All rights reserved. www.dietitianapproved.com/academy  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Okt 202417min

As a sports dietitian specialising in triathlon, one of the key elements I focus on with my clients is hydration strategy. Hydration plays a critical role in performance, and understanding your sweat rate is key to optimising your fluid intake. Recently I was lucky enough to sit down with Lindsey Hunt, a senior sports scientist at Precision Fuel and Hydration, to discuss his work in this area and the great new tool that came from it. With an impressive academic background and hands-on research in human thermoregulation, Lindsey's insights are invaluable for athletes looking to fine-tune their hydration strategies. Lindsey's research primarily focused on whole-body sweat rate prediction in both indoor and outdoor running and cycling. This involved numerous exercise trials with a broad cohort of participants to gather a comprehensive understanding of sweat rates across different conditions. The culmination of this research is the sweat rate calculator, a free tool that helps you tailor your hydration strategy to meet your unique needs and perform at your best!  It’s incredibly accurate, particularly indoors, where predictions were exceptionally close to actual measured sweat rates. Outdoors, the accuracy remained commendable, with predictions mostly within 400 millilitres per hour of actual measurements.  So, once you get your numbers, what do you actually do with this information? Well, the way you use your sweat rate data depends on the specific event and environmental conditions you’re facing. Consider a 10k run as an example. Depending on the location and temperature, you might need only a minimal amount of fluid replacement to maintain performance and health. However, for endurance events like a half marathon or longer, it's essential to replenish a substantial portion of the fluids lost through sweat. As the duration, intensity, and heat increase, so does the percentage of fluid replacement that is necessary. However, it's critical to remember that the sweat rate calculator isn't a fluid replacement guide. You'll want to combine this data with your understanding of electrolyte needs, particularly salt intake, to avoid potential issues like hyponatremia during long duration events.   Key Takeaways for Triathletes: Know Your Sweat Rate: Before adjusting your fluid strategy, ensure you understand your sweat rate. This involves some trial and error during training sessions to find what works best for you. Consider Event Duration and Environment: The longer and hotter the event, the more aggressive your fluid replacement strategy should be. Don't fall into a one-size-fits-all approach; tailor it to the event specifics. Balance Fluid Intake with Your Needs: It’s not just about chugging water. Overhydration can be as detrimental as dehydration. Aim for a balanced intake that aligns with your calculated sweat rate. Plan Ahead: Use training sessions to test and perfect your hydration strategy, so on race day, you know exactly what your body requires. Understanding your body’s sweat rate and how to manage it can prevent dehydration, reduce the likelihood of cramping, and overall optimise performance during your races. Stay hydrated and race smart!   LINKS: Access The Sweat Rate Calculator: https://sweatratecalculator.com/ Check how well you’re doing when it comes to your nutrition with our 50 step checklist to Triathlon Nutrition Mastery: dietitianapproved.com/checklist Start working on your nutrition now with my Triathlon Nutrition Kickstart course: dietitianapproved.com/kickstart It’s for you if you’re a triathlete and you feel like you’ve got your training under control and you’re ready to layer in your nutrition. It's your warmup on the path to becoming a SUPERCHARGED triathlete – woohoo!   Join the waitlist for our next opening of the Triathlon Nutrition Academy www.dietitianapproved.com/academy   Website: www.dietitianapproved.com Instagram: @Dietitian.Approved  @triathlonnutritionacademy Facebook: www.facebook.com/DietitianApproved   The Triathlon Nutrition Academy is a podcast by Dietitian Approved. All rights reserved. www.dietitianapproved.com/academySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Okt 202431min