Is there a good diet for triathlon training?
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National Academy of Sports Medicine answered:Eat well and eat a lot. The demanding nature of the sport focuses primarily on persistent and often periodized training in each of the three disciplines, as well as combination workouts and general strength conditioning. You will need to eat frequently – a meal/snack/meal/snack/meal pattern is adopted by many - to ensure the highest levels of endurance, strength, and power possible come race day. If you are committed to a triathlon training and competition schedule, you should consider consulting with a registered dietitian who specialized in sports nutrition to help you develop an individualized nutrition program to optimize your performance.Eat well and eat a lot. The demanding nature of the sport focuses primarily on persistent and often periodized training in each of the three disciplines, as well as combination workouts and general strength conditioning. You will need to eat... More -
Bethany Thayer of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:It's important that you fuel your muscles to undergo the amount of training needed to complete a triathlon. This may mean frequent eating depending on your training schedule and may mean consuming calories during your training if your sessions last longer than an hour. Carbohydrate sources before and during a training session should be followed by carbohydrates and protein afterwards. Your body size and training schedule should be evaluated by a registered dietitian (RD) who specializes in sports nutrition. This RD can give you personalized nutrition information to meet your particular needs. Find one near you by visiting www.eatright.org.It's important that you fuel your muscles to undergo the amount of training needed to complete a triathlon. This may mean frequent eating depending on your training schedule and may mean consuming calories during your training if your sessions last... More -
Keith Chittenden - NASM Elite Trainer answered:Depending your event distance (sprint, hybrid sprint, 1/2 ironman, ironman) eating for long distance/high intensity events is the way to go. Your training should encompass the intensity of the event; resistance training, plyometrics, core etc. The best food sources are carbohydrates and fiber. Depending on your training schedule (am or pm) you want to ingest a carbohydrate snack 45 minutes-1 hour before your training. Good sources of carbs are oatmeal, fruits such bananas, melon, strawberrys, and apples. Fiber or Spinich pasta, brown rice, peanut butter (natural), trail mix (dried fruits such as raisens & dried apricots) or granola bars. Protein should be consumed after the workout to speed recovery to the skeletal muscles.Depending your event distance (sprint, hybrid sprint, 1/2 ironman, ironman) eating for long distance/high intensity events is the way to go. Your training should encompass the intensity of the event; resistance training, plyometrics, core etc. The... More
