why are more and more athletes noticing performance benefits after switching to a plant-based diet?
It could be that eating a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds is aiding performance and recovery via its positive effects on the gut microbiota – the population of trillions of microbes that inhabit the gut.
One of the most common questions I get asked by runners is why they can’t lose weight despite running regularly. Some runners find that they actually gain weight; a phenomenon dubbed ‘marathon weight gain’.
getting lean is a major goal for many people who exercise regularly. But attaining a very low body fat percentage – or a level that is unnaturally low for your genetic make-up – carries big health risks.
The idea that organic foods are healthier is certainly compelling. However, there is little evidence to support this, with some studies finding higher levels of certain nutrients in certain produce, and others finding no difference. A review of 237 studies found that while organic produce contained fewer pesticide residues than conventional, on balance, there are…
Updated 21st July 2018 If you’re planning to cycle the Prudential RideLondon on Sunday 29th July, or tackle one of the dozens of other sportives around the UK, a good nutrition strategy will help you get the most from your ride. I’ll be giving some simple tips on cycling nutrition on Centre Stage at the 2018 Prudential…
With so many diet trends out there, it’s hard to know which ones help or hinder your performance. One trend that’s recently become popular among endurance athletes is the low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet. The idea behind it is that training with low glycogen (carbohydrate) stores trains your body to burn fat more efficiently and increases…
With just days to go until the Virgin Money London Marathon, now is the time to plan your marathon fuelling and hydration strategy. Worried about hitting the wall? Wondering whether to carb-load? Or how much water to drink during the race? Well, having a good fuelling plan will help you avoid the common marathon pitfalls….
Nutrition is an important part of your training programme. Eating the right types and amounts of food, as well as drinking enough fluid before, during and after each training session will help you perform better and recover faster between training sessions. It will also help to keep you healthy and reduce your chances of getting…
While a healthy diet is central to optimal performance, for some athletes the quest to eat only the ‘right’ foods can morph into orthorexia, an unhealthy fixation with ‘eating correctly’. What starts as a health kick or desire to shed surplus pounds can spiral into obsessive behaviour. One recent study suggests that as many as…
