This article outlines some of the basic rules to follow when designing your own meal plan or offering advice to others with regards to meal planning. It is important to note that unless you are professionally qualified in this area, you should only offer basic advice on nutrition. This guide is designed as a template to offer advice and to guide your approach to nutrition, rather than to generate meal plans for other individuals.
There are many factors that should be taken into account when creating a meal plan.
These include:
- the overall goal of the meal plan
- the demands of the sport
- the eating beliefs and habits of the athlete
- the athlete’s access to food
- consideration of any allergies
- the cost
- the convenience
- the athlete’s cooking ability.
These are just a few factors that qualified sport nutritionists and dietitians will consider when creating an athlete’s nutritional plan.