Demystifying Sports Nutrition: Straightforward Tips & Expert Secrets
- By Mario Fraioli
- Published Sep. 6, 2011
- Updated Mar. 15, 2012 at 5:09 PM UTC
Debunking The Garbage Disposal Theory
You’ve probably heard this before—you might have even said it: I’m an endurance athlete who trains and races hard, therefore, I can eat whatever and however much I desire. “I call it the garbage disposal theory,” says Liz Applegate, Ph.D., director of sports nutrition, University of California, Davis. “It works for some male athletes, but it’s going to catch up to you.”
Of course, all food is fuel and the body will burn whatever you give it, but if the goal is lifelong good health and longevity in sports, consuming quality nutrition cannot be overlooked.
FILED UNDER: Nutrition TAGS: Antioxidants / Carbo Loading / dietary supplements / dieting / perform / race fueling / Recovery Nutrition / sports nutrition
Mario Fraioli
Mario Fraioli is a senior editor at Competitor magazine. A cross-country All-American at Stonehill College in 2003, he now coaches the Prado Women's Racing Team in San Diego and was the men's marathon coach for Costa Rica's 2012 Olympic team. His first book, The Official Rock 'n' Roll Guide To Marathon & Half-Marathon Training (VeloPress, 2013) is available in bookstores, running shops and online.