There are many recommended and universally accepted nutritional guidelines to help athletes meet their training, recovery and performance needs. In recent years, an increasing number of 'other' dietary trends have also come to the fore, often with big promises to enhance performance and sporting success. They consist of both complete diets and specific (natural) foods such as beetroot juice or coconut milk.
With the media frequently reporting 'miracle' foods or diets supposedly used by sporting heroes, amateur athletes in search of a competitive edge can easily feel under pressure to try these quick-fix fads.
So what's the truth behind the hype? We look at some of the more popular examples of these diets.