Demystifying Sports Nutrition

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.