Sports Nutrition is the specialized study and practice of diet andnutrition especially with regards to enhancing anyoneҳ athletic performance in sports. Nutritional nutrition is especially important in endurance sports and strength sports, being equally popular in sprinting and long distance sports. In particular, athletes engaged in endurance sports are required to be very careful about what they eat and how much they exercise, as the right nutrition can make a huge difference to their performance, both in and out of the competition. It has been said that the nutrient composition of an athlete who trains on a regular basis is much different from the one who doesnҴ. The difference in sports nutrition for an athlete can be directly linked to their training regimen. For one, if the athlete trains on a regular basis and is also a serious athlete, they will most likely consume a higher level of protein than someone who trains casually and is not concerned about maintaining muscle mass. Also, when it comes to carbohydrates, an athlete will usually be consuming a greater amount of them than someone who undertakes a normal diet. This is because carbohydrate consumption is mandatory for an athlete to facilitate energy and strength training and the reduction of fat levels during exercise. Another factor that needs to be taken into consideration in sports nutrition guidelines is body weight. An athlete needs to ensure that their body weight is appropriate for their height, age, physical condition, and level of physical exertion. This helps to avoid muscle deterioration due to poor body composition or injury. Body weight is also affected by training intensity, the duration of training, the competition environment, diet, and hydration. Therefore, an athlete should pay close attention to the above factors and do what is best for them in order to maximize their potential. The two hours before competition is one of the most critical times to drink water. Hydration is imperative and drinking two hours before competition ensures that the body is adequately hydrated to fuel the maximum physical activities during competition. If there is a dehydrating effect on the body, then the athlete is more likely to sustain injury. Sports nutrition professionals recommend that athletes drink between six to eight glasses of water per day to prevent dehydration during competition. As with nutrition, an athlete needs to be familiar with the post-exercise protocol if he or she wants to maximally benefit from its advantages. Post-exercise drinks should be full of electrolytes in order to support healthy hydration. It is also advisable to eat a meal right after exercising. By eating a meal right after exercise, the body is primed to recover from the exertion and repair muscles, while ensuring the proper functioning of the metabolic system. Some athletes find it advantageous to consume sports nutrition supplements in addition to the regular diet. However, it should be noted that nutrition supplements should be consumed with caution. These substances should not be considered as a substitute for the regular meals that an athlete would have to prepare. Sports nutritionists advise that athletes consult with their doctor before consuming any supplement since they may have different side effects from the food that they eat. In terms of portioning out the right foods, each person can consume the recommended daily allowance of calories and essential nutrients as established by the National Academy of Sports Nutrition (NASN). However, many athletes are not aware of the food guide pyramid as most people use it as the sole reference point when it comes to nutrition. For instance, lean meats such as those found in poultry or fish should comprise the largest part of the diet as compared to other types of meat. Sports nutrition differs from other forms of health management because the goal is to maintain or improve performance rather than prolong oneҳ physical fitness. Therefore, eating a balanced diet that is rich in all essential vitamins and minerals while excluding calories can be more effective than simply counting calories. A good way to incorporate sports nutrition into oneҳ eating plan is by using meal replacements. These can provide athletes with the protein they need while cutting calories without changing the existing eating plan. Eating the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats and avoiding empty calories can ensure that athletes stay healthy and perform at their peak.