Sports Nutrition
Get Inspired
We reached out to our Hy-Vee registered dietitians who specialize in sports nutrition to bring you their expert tips, recipe ideas, and advice for performing your best.
Hyvee Dietitian Expert Tip
Low fuel stores can weaken the immune system, increase stress, hinder recovery, and increase cortisol levels. For athletes, I emphasize fueling well before training and after training, as well as pre-hydrating and staying hydrated.
Reasons to Love Carbs
As if you needed reasons from an expert to love carbs ... here's a few to justify your love.
Hyvee Dietitian Expert Tip
For maximizing workouts, 100 to 300mg of caffeine from coffee or green tea can help boost energy and endurance. Beta-alanine can also help with endurance. We recommend starting with 1gm per day, working up to as much as 3gm per day if needed. Creatine can also provide a strength boost for explosive activities like bench press or short distance sprints—about 3 to 5gm a day should do.
Protein Tips from the Pros
Get advice and recipes on how to perform your best.
Hyvee Dietitian Expert Tip
We recommend 20 to 30 grams of high-quality protein within 60 minutes of training. High-quality protein comes from things like eggs, chicken, beef, seafood, and dairy.
High Protein Recipes
Should You Be Adding Creatine to That?
Find out what the sports dietitians say about creatine supplements.
Hyvee Dietitian Expert Tip
Branched-Chain Amino Acid (BCAA) supplements have been shown to build muscle, decrease muscle fatigue, and alleviate muscle soreness. However, most people get plenty of BCAAs through diet by eating eggs, meat, and dairy.
Branched-Chain Amino Acids
Leucine
Leucine helps with protein synthesis and metabolic functions.
Isoleucine
Isoleucine may help provide energy during exercise.
Valine
Valine helps provide your muscles with energy.