08/05/2026
As a former soccer player and now sports dietitian, I thought I knew how to eat for performance. Looking back, there are a few things I wish I wouldâve done differently, and theyâre the same mistakes I see many athletes making today!
1. Not eating enough carbohydrates.
Rushing between classes, practices and lifts often left me under-fueled. I was trying to make balanced choices, but I definitely wasnât eating enough to support my training. Carbs are your bodyâs primary fuel source for performance. A good starting point for many athletes in moderate training is 5â7 g carb/per kg of body weight/day. Itâs also important to plannnnnnn ahead (a whole different topic)đ
2. Not taking recovery nutrition seriously.âšAfter training sessions, Iâd often wait too long to eat and drink. At the time, I didnât realize that delaying recovery meant potential for more soreness, slower recovery, and less energy for the next dayâs training. Need a quick option? Chocolate milk (one of my greatest joys post morning lift when I decided to actually drink itđ« ). It provides carbs to replenish glycogen, high-quality protein (including leucine) to start muscle repair, and fluids to rehydrate.
3. Treating hydration like an afterthought.âšIf I wasnât thirsty, I assumed I was hydrated. In reality, dehydration can begin affecting performance before you ever feel thirsty (esp during two a days or in the heat). Aim for 8â16 oz of fluid before training + drink throughout based on your sweat losses (roughly 6-12 oz per 15 min), and include electrolytes + carb during longer sessions (>60 minutes) or in hot, humid conditions.
4. Taking only game day nutrition seriously. âšPerformance nutrition isnât about one perfect pre-game meal. Itâs the consistency of what you eat every day that supports better training, faster recovery, and improved performance when it matters most.
The good news? You donât have to make the same mistakes I did đ If youâre ready to fuel smarter and perform at your best, Iâd love to help! Reach out to learn more about working togetherđȘ