Many college athletes feel invincible. They are young, healthy and the quality of food they place in their mouths may not be as important as how it tastes. However, more and more athletes are recognizing that nutrition can make the difference between a good season and a great one.

Sports nutrition is about timing and frequency for peak performance and recovery. But it is also about preventing and healing quickly from injury and illness. With busy school and training schedules, as well as living away from home, perhaps for the first time, nutritent deficiences can be quite common. Common nutrient deficiencies in athletes include calcium, iron, vitamin D, B vitamins (especially folate) and zinc.