HOW helpful is expert advice about nutrition? That was the question posed by exercise scientists at the University of Wisconsin who recently recruited 83 college athletes to participate in a study of their dietary habits.
Subjects completed a detailed survey about their eating habits, breakfast habits, hydration habits, use of nutritional supplements, pre and post-workout nutrition, nutrition on team trips, and meal timing.
Analysis of the results, which were published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, showed that athletes who had consulted a qualified sports dietitian or nutritionist had a far better understanding of how to plan their meals and were 10% less likely to consume fast food on team trips. “Positive effects on dietary habits were observed when a sports dietitian was the primary nutrition information source,” the researchers concluded.