Are you losing training days because of Low Energy Availability?
Did you know that if we have low energy availability we are 3x more likely to have to take time off training due to illness?
That could mean about 3 weeks lost training throughout the year due to injury or delayed recovery - and that's not even considering the higher risk of stress fractures and bone breaks.
Read More
What to eat on a Cycling Tour or Training Camp
Dr. Gemma Sampson shares insights from her recent adventure with Lucca Cycling Club in Italy. Delve into the essential role of a sports dietitian on cycling camps and discover how proper nutrition can transform long, grueling rides into successful and sustainable experiences. Whether it's crafting the perfect ride lunch or managing dietary preferences, Dr. Sampson emphasizes that nutrition is more than just fuel – it's a holistic approach to enhancing performance and mood.
Read More
Even if you did no exercise today your body still needs food to stay healthy
If you’re in off season or not training as much as normal, that doesn’t mean you have to stop eating or go on a diet.
Your body needs food and fuel to thrive - even if you haven’t done any exercise.
Read More
Carbohydrates for Endurance Athletes in Competition Questionnaire (CEAC-Q)
Do you know how much carbohydrate to eat before, during and after competition for optimal performance? The Carbohydrates for Endurance Athletes in Competition Questionnaire (CEAC-Q) was designed to help guide where you could optimise your race and training nutrition strategy.
Read More
Innovations in Sports Hydration: An Interview with Carina Hamel, Co-Founder of Bivo Drink Bottles
In a world where optimal performance and environmental consciousness are paramount, few innovations have struck a balance as well as Bivo Drink Bottles. I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Carina Hamel, co-founder of Bivo and lifelong athlete, to discuss her journey and the unique features of Bivo's stainless steel drink bottles. What follows is an insightful look into how Bivo is revolutionizing sports hydration and tackling the plastic problem one bottle at a time.
Read More
Is your nutrition plan realistic or idealistic?
Often the ways people want to change their nutrition are set with good intentions... but they aren't realistic and are doomed to fail. Nutrition needs to be REALISTIC for it to last.
Read More
I finally tried that cycling fuelling strategy you recommend... game changer!
“I finally tried that cycling fuelling strategy you recommend…game changer!! I know you always say to fuel my rides, but I’ve been kind of ignoring you…”
Read More
19 life lessons I wish I'd learned sooner
Another year and more life lessons! These are some of the lessons I’ve learned and grown from during 2023, I hope you find them thought provoking to help you live your best life. Let go of your attachment to the outcome.
Read More
Top 10 foods to reduce high blood cholesterol levels
When aiming to improve the nutritional quality of your diet to support heart health, you don't need to go on any extreme dietary regime, but what you eat does matter and can make a big difference. These are the top 10 heart friendly foods I recommend people incorporate more into their diet to benefit heart health and help reduce high cholesterol levels:
Read More
Life lessons 2023: Let go of your attachment to the outcome
Another year and more life lessons! These are some of the lessons I’ve learned and grown from during 2023, I hope you find them thought provoking to help you live your best life. Let go of your attachment to the outcome.
Read More
Did your weight increase? Don't panic!
Freaking out because your weight has increased when you are trying to lose weight cycling? Before you hit the panic button and use it as a reason to go on a crash diet, take a moment to pause and put that one number in context of the bigger picture. Our weight changes a lot on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis - way beyond changes in body composition.
Read More
Why I won't recommend 1200kcal diets for female athletes as a sports dietitian
Why I won't recommend female athletes follow 1200-1600kcal diets as a sports dietitian. Whether it is intentional or not, low energy availability is no joke when it comes to your health, performance and body composition.
Read More
Can you relate to my perfectionistic thinking when it comes to cycling and nutrition?
Can you relate to my perfectionistic thinking when it comes to cycling and nutrition? Yesterday it cost me (at least) and hour worth of riding time!
Read More
Race weight: Perceptions of elite female road cyclists
When it comes to race weight, 62% of female elite cyclists are unhappy with their current race weight and believed they would race better if they were an average 1.6kg lighter.
Read More
What do you do when you weigh yourself and see a number you don't like?
Many cyclists want to lose weight to improve power-to-weight ratio. But, what do you do when you see a number on the scale that you don’t like?
Read More
Cycling nutrition is easy - it doesn't need to be hard for it to work
Why do you think your nutrition needs to be really hard and complicated for it to work as a cyclist trying to lose weight and improve your power to weight ratio?
Read More
Sugar water to fuel cycling
Is sugar water the ultimate fuelling strategy for cyclists? I looked at the research and took it to the test to see if sugar really is the best fuelling strategy for cyclists and if it does get the sports dietitian seal of approval.
Read More
Race nutrition report: Carb loading for Masters State Championships
Race nutrition report: Masters State Championships. Glen Leechburch Auwers achieved 4th place at the State Masters Championships due to determination and perseverance, with a dose of carb loading and good bike nutrition. My expectation was to be dropped on the first lap. There were so many ‘better’ and ‘stronger’ riders there that day. I think the carb loading gave me that extra edge to finish strong.
Read More
Carbohydrate to improve your resistance training
Carbs not only improve your cycling endurance performance - they also enhance any strength training you do.
Read More
Frustrated by your lack of weight loss progress as a cyclist?
Are you trying to lose weight as a cyclist to improve your power to weight ratio and frustrated by the rate of progress?As an advanced sports dietitian specialising in performance nutrition for cyclists, I regularly have conversations about weight, 'lack of progress' and the thoughts, feelings and emotional responses that follow on from that thought.
Read More