Sports Nutrition is the process and research of diet andnutrition especially with regards to enhancing anyoneҳ athletic performance in their chosen sports. Sports Nutrition has become very popular not just because of its promise of helping a person to improve his/her sporting performance but also because of its accessibility. Sports Nutrition is especially popular in endurance sports such as running and/or triathlons. In addition, it is becoming more popular as an adjunct of sports training programs for athletes engaged in contact sports such as basketball, baseball, football, soccer and wrestling. The purpose of sports nutrition is to provide athletes with the nutrients needed for optimal performance through direct application on the bodyҳ muscles. Although there is some debate about the role of nutrition in relation to performance, there is substantial scientific evidence that nutrition affects athletesҠability to train, perform better, sustain an injury-free exercise and prevent muscle deterioration after exercise. Sports Nutrition is therefore not only a science but also an art. It combines the best of modern nutrition science with the knowledge of an athlete about what works and what doesnҴ work for him/her and the appropriate amount of nutrients needed for peak performance. As stated by a note from the American College of Sports Medicine: Ӆfforts to develop a universally valid approach to sports nutrition that encompasses all facets of an athleteҳ lifestyle are hindered by the lack of research regarding the most effective components of a sport and exercise program that can be tailored to meet the needs of any individual athlete.Լ/p> It is also important to remember that sports nutrition can be achieved by eating a well balanced diet and making sure you drink enough water. Eating a well balanced diet will ensure that your body receives all the nutrients it needs and avoid many of the common food-related hazards that can cause negative effects to your bodyҳ organs, especially your kidneys, when not accompanied by regular exercise and a well balanced diet. Eating a well balanced diet includes choosing foods from the 5 major food groups to help you achieve a balanced nutrition and avoiding foods that are high in fat and sugar. Foods high in fat and sugar increase the risk of dehydration, which can cause problems to your kidneys. Foods that are high in protein can help to reduce muscle soreness after exercise while complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits and vegetables help to maintain muscle glycogen which helps to reduce the risk of dehydration. In order to make sure you are eating a well balanced diet and youҲe not suffering from diet-related diseases, you should always remember to eat breakfast as this has been known to prevent diet-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Eating a well balanced diet and following a good exercise schedule go hand in hand to achieve a healthy lifestyle. However, not everyone can follow both of these rigorous diets without falling sick or feeling tired. This is where a sports nutritionist can come into play. A sports nutritionist can help you design a diet plan around your personal needs, preferences and taste. A sports nutritionist can even help you choose the right kinds of foods that are specifically manufactured for athletes to help make the diet an easy part of your daily routine. Sports nutritionists work closely with athletes to ensure that they are getting everything they need to keep their body healthy. For instance, if you are an athlete who prefers to do physical activity for at least three hours a day, then it is important to consider what types of foods are ideal for this type of lifestyle. Some types of food are better than others for this purpose. For example, you will want to stay away from sugary and starchy foods as these are much harder on the body when it comes to burning energy. You will also want to consider protein sources as these are great sources of amino acids which provide an abundance of energy when working out. An athlete may also benefit from a sports nutritionist in the form of a meal replacement or post workout drink. Often athletes find it difficult to make it through the day with adequate hydration and nutrition. A meal replacement or post workout drink can help an athlete by providing them with the necessary nutrients and hydration they need. Hydration and nutrition play an important role in every part of the body and especially in working out. Without proper hydration and nutrition a person can become dehydrated and that can have serious consequences while working out. It is important to take care of your diet while you are working out. You do not want to use supplements or unhealthy fat burners as they can actually harm your progress and cause damage to your body. A sports nutritionist can help you create an eating plan specifically designed for your activity. These plans will be specifically balanced with the nutrients needed by the body while working out. Sports nutrition has advanced quite a bit in the past few years. There are a number of resources available to help an athlete to determine the best plan of action when it comes to their sports nutrition and other supplementation needs. The sports medicine professional can also provide valuable information and insight into what type of meal replacement or daily supplement to use.