Athletes!

  Ever wondered why your performance in sports might be more inconsistent than usual? Well, beyond an outstanding injury, this stunt in how you play might be rooted in what nutrition you are consuming.

  In an interview with Coach Rich, Dawson’s assistant athletic director, he revealed how there is beyond a doubt athletes should watch what they eat daily. He said that their eating habits also depend on what athletes are trying to accomplish. For example, he said that “When athletes are in season they’re not eating much but they want to make sure they’re putting in good nutrients in their body so they can sustain throughout their competition.”

  What Coach Rich is saying here can also be backed up by a study conducted by Hopkins Medicine, where they explain how nutrition provides the body with energy. This is vital to athletes because they “​​burn through their energy stores faster than an average person, especially during a competition, so their energy demands are higher.” Also, according to Hopkins Medicine, burning more calories than you consume can lead to fatigue and stress fractures

  In a poster in the Athletic Center, it addresses what athletes should eat when in season. In order to get proper protein for their bodies, athletes should eat foods like meat, yogurt, cheese, and eggs. In order to manage sport inflammation, athletes should have a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts.

  Coach Rich also stressed the importance of drinking water everyday to prevent headaches and fatigue from dehydration. In the same study, it mentions how “Getting enough water is especially important for athletes, who tend to lose fluids faster than an average person due to increased sweating.”