Food nutrition in athletes is very important to their health as a performer, but it is especially important to college athletes. “College athletes need to maintain a diet of regular servings of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and bread as prescribed by the Food Guide Pyramid” (Maughan, 2002, p. 29). College athletes need to eat more servings of food rather than the recommended 5 meals a day. The reason for this is that they must replenish the nutrients they used, as well as reenergizing there body for the physical demands of the next day. Proper nutrition for all athletes depends upon the timing and their sporting event. Athletes should have breakfast, lunch, dinner, a pre-meal before the event, and also a post-event meal. “A pre-event meal should consist of bread, r

Energy requirements for athletes are one of the most important aspects for a proper nutrition. The fundamental concepts of energy are intake, resting energy expenditure, and exercise energy expenditure. Energy intake should be balanced with energy expenditure, so that body mass and body composition are maintained at a level consistent with good health and optical performance” (Wolinsky, 2002, p. 523). As an example, a cross country runner that would like to maintain a lean form, if he restricts energy intake to stay quite lean, risks good health and at the same time it could affect his performance. Resting energy expenditure is needed to maintain body weight. Energy intake depends on how much energy was used. In order to stay healthy, the intake should match the amount of energy used, so that your body is replenished, this leads to the prevention of cramping, aches, and pains. For instance, if I have a long three hour tennis match, and than have to play soon after, I must eat nutritious food such as bananas, oranges, potatoes, or even a salad. The energy intake needs to be light enough to be able to play again later, while also, filling up your energy levels. During exercise, the expenditure of energy depletes quite quickly. This is why prior to exercise; the intake needs to be reached. Energy intakes vary from person to person and sport to sport, but it also depends on body size. As a tennis player I need more energy for a shorter amount of time, compared to a cross country athlete that needs lots of energy for a long time.

“Protein is derived food contributes the amino acids necessary for the body to assimilate proteins that compromise the skeletal structures and hormones; that generate colloid osmotic pressure for fluid balance and that facilitate the transport of other nutrients in the plasma; that function as receptors in cell membranes; and they may provide energy” (Wolinksy, 2002, p. 537).

Proper diets for an aspiring athlete or current athletes looking to maintain and improve their physical condition and increase performance follow these requirements. With the requirements of energy, carbohydrates, fluids, vitamins, fats, protein and minerals, an athlete will remain in a great healthy and nutritious condition to compete. A smart food selection for athletes is necessary for obtaining all the essential nutrients, at the correct amounts and times. For an athlete, a fast food diet, although filling, is not good for them. Eating greasy foods such as McDonalds does not benefit an athlete’s need of staying lean and maintaining a peak form for competition or health.

A typical fluid requirement for athletes, generally reflect upon sweat and urine loss. An athlete needs to replace the water levels so that their body can function at an optimal state, lack of replacing these levels leads to dehydration, dehydration than leads to fatigue and possible cramp

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