Author: Janet Carter, MS, RD, LD
[email protected]
774-400-7566

Injury is one of the hazards of participating in sports or any physical activity. If you are unfortunate enough to have an injury that requires immobilization, you may be able to boost the healing process with proper nutrition. 

Being adequately fueled and avoiding any nutrient deficiencies is the most important consideration, but, as an athlete, avoiding a calorie surplus is also important. The best way to accomplish this balance is by eating high-quality foods at a calorie level that has been adjusted for the decrease in physical activity. Increased protein intake has been shown to aid in healing injuries requiring immobilization, but evidence is lacking to show benefit in muscle tissue injuries that do not. Supplements of amino acids or any other nutrient are only necessary if there is a nutrient deficiency.

A sample day for an average male athlete who has decreased his activity due to an...

Author: Janet Carter, MS, RD, LD
[email protected]
774-400-7566

Very few people make their living as a professional athlete. More often than not, they exercise to maintain a healthy weight. The main difference between nutrition for performance and nutrition for weight loss is that nutrition for performance is more focused on timing and nutrient ratios, while nutrition for weight loss is more focused on caloric intake and portion control. It is important in both situations to eat as healthy as possible MOST of the time. Of course, an occasional treat is okay, but the more often treats sneak in, the less likely you are to meet your performance or weight loss goals. 

Nutrition for optimal athletic performance hinges on the right ratios of carbohydrates, fat and protein, in addition to the proper timing of intake. Recommendations vary significantly depending on the sport, which is why it is critical to get personalized advice from a...

Author: Janet Carter, MS, RD, LD
[email protected]
774-400-7566

The vast majority of people who exercise do so to be healthy and to reach, or maintain, a healthy weight. Some athletes are competitive at a local or regional level, and a few make their living as professional athletes. Nutrition should be individualized for each person, based on their goals. There are some differences in the nutrition recommendations for those who are looking to lose weight versus those who are looking to improve performance, but the overarching theme is to eat “clean”. 

Eating “clean” basically means eating healthy, nutritious, minimally processed foods MOST of the time. It doesn’t mean you can’t ever have a slice of pizza, a chocolate bar or a beer, but if you want to be successful with your goals, those treats should be infrequent. Many professionals use the word “moderation”, but then fail to define that word. One person’s...