I train so much I can eat anything as a cyclist... is that true?
Are you caught in the trap thinking that just because you're out training all the time you can eat whatever you want? While it may be getting enough energy to keep your body going, are you really fuelling yourself optimally with the nutrition to achieve your greatest potential?
I often meet athletes who tell me don't care about nutrition or what they eat because they train so much it doesn't matter or make a difference.
They use their training to justify poor quality food choices all year round.
I can eat whatever I want
I strongly believe that there is no such thing as one 'perfect' diet that suits every individual.
That said, there is almost always room for improvement, be it drinking more water, eating more vegetables, improving portion sizes...
Everyone has different needs and requirements, lifestyles and beliefs that influence their food choices, availability and decisions around food.
I'm quite partial to a piece of cake and can find it hard to resist a decent cheese board.
There is nothing wrong with eating low nutrient (but high energy dense) foods like cake, crisps, chocolates... the foods typically labelled as 'junk' or 'guilty pleasures' here and there.
The issue arises if and when these foods form the bulk of your diet or are your go-to food choices.
Are you making the right food choices to enhance your training?
Filling up on poor quality foods means that you can be majorly missing out on vitamins and minerals that your body needs to perform at it's peak.
Not only can it hold you back performance wise, but if you were unlucky enough to get injured then this is where eating whatever you want can really back fire.
We've all witnessed elite athletes who have gained huge amounts of weight after an injury. Having a good training diet and making nutritious choices on a regular can help reduce this from happening.
For many athletes, sports nutrition can play a critical role in improving performance. Training alone isn't going to cut it.
Gemma
Fuel your cycling with confidence
Learn how to fuel before, during and after cycling with the Cycling Nutrition Framework for optimal body weight, recovery and performance.