Sports Nutrition Advice for Adolescent Athletes: A Time to Focus on Food

Adolescents participating in sport have high demands for nutritional adequacy to meet their needs for growth, development, wellness and athletics. Nutritional risk can be quite high in this population due to their unique needs, low access to credible information and nutrition professionals, and misinformation in the media and marketplace specifically targeting athletes. Physicians and other health professionals have an opportunity to communicate nutrition facts and make evidence-based recommendations about healthy eating in the setting of their ongoing interactions with adolescent athletes and their families. The purpose of this review is to describe the nutritional needs of adolescents participating in sport and highlight the potential for nutritional risk. Endorsed by professional organizations, our recommendations emphasize a balanced eating pattern that includes a wide variety of fresh, minimally processed whole foods. Our approach is to empower and teach adolescents to take responsibility for planning, preparing, and providing themselves consistent access to foods and fluids that deliver nutrients needed for proper fueling and recovery. Specific talking points that health professionals can use in brief interactions with patients and families are provided to endorse key behavioral strategies that young athletes can adopt to achieve peak athletic performance and optimal nutritional status.