Triathlon nutrition is crucial to your success in the sport of triathlons, but is often missed by beginners. 

Food is the fuel for our body during extraordinary circumstances, putting in poor food choices can be disastrous to your training.   Without the right fuel, we don’t get optimal results. 

Your body needs to be in peak physical condition to handle the strenuous nature of our sport.  Increase your performance and increase your chance of succeeding.  When you eat the right foods and consume the proper amount of minerals, vitamins and calories.

Following a proper nutritional regimen will help you recover faster and help avoid any injuries.

Biggest Eating Myth

“I can eat what I want with the amount of calories I am burning.”

Many athlete who burn high levels of calories could refuel your engine with chips and donuts (your heart is screaming), but this will keep you from getting maximum benefits from your training. 

Make Good Food Choices

Lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables are all wholesome foods that will give your body the power it needs to perform under stress.  Using pricey energy drinks and energy bars can get really expensive, so see if you can plan meals that contain these foods as an alternative.

Avoid the obvious

Stay clear of impulse eating and make great food choices.  Avoid sugar, alcohol (dehydration) and junk foods.

Stop Skipping Meals

 This is by far the worst sin of a triathlete.  With the amount of physical punishment your body takes in training, refusing to fuel your body to aid in muscle repair in a recipe for an injury.

By eating 5 to 6 smaller meals during the day vs. 2 to 3 large meals has tremendous benefit.   Try to incorporate healthy snacks between meals to keep your metabolism continuing to burn throughout the day.

Maximize fat burn in workout

Studies have proven that exercising on an empty stomach will increase metabolic burn of fat.  Your body will first look for fuel in the stomach and then immediately start to process fat.  Careful attention is to be taken to take this advice with common sense.  Eating small caloric bar say 100-200 calories will ensure you’re properly able to handle the workout.  As always know your own limits.

Boost Your Protein Intake

The recommended daily intake for protein consumption is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight for the average adult.  But triathlete’s have different needs.  Depending on size, weight and body type you will need from 1.4 and 1.8 grams per kilogram of body weight.

 Keep eating right and see your hard work magnified in your performance!