What Should Athletes Eat?

The mystery behind what should be included in your young athlete’s diet is never-ending, partly because miracle foods are constantly surfacing, while other foods fall from grace. When it comes to the athlete diet, it’s important to consider the nutritional requirements for growth and development, as well as for athletic performance.

Young Athletes with Unhealthy Eating Habits

It’s no mystery that many children and teens miss out on important nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, fiber and potassium. Skipping breakfast, snacking on nutrient-poor foods, or using weight control measures like diets not only curtail nutrient intake, they can impair athletic performance. To complicate matters, the nutrition for athletes depends on several other things that aren’t necessarily food-related.