Diet For Sport Performance & Active Lifestyle

Meeting energy needs is the first priority for athletes or active individuals. Specific nutrient requirements can vary depending on many factors, including type of sport participation, food preferences, body weight, and body composition goals. Carbohydrate requirements Carbohydrate is a critical fuel for strenuous exercise; however, the body's ability to store carbohydrate, primarily in the form of glycogen in the muscles and liver, is limited. Exercise intensity is a particularly important consideration since higher exercise intensities are associated with an increased reliance on carbohydrate as a fuel. Most recreationally active individuals can maintain their glycogen stores by consuming approximately 55-60 % of total daily energy from carbohydrate. However, for extremely active individuals who participate in endurance sports, it is often preferable to express carbohydrate recommendations in absolute terms instead of a proportion of daily energy. Whereas recreationally active individual