Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD If you think you are alone when your first focus for any race is gastrointestinal distress, you are not. Are you always plotting your day based on where the bathrooms are going to be (even the ones along the course), or always having to get to races early knowing that you will be standing in the line multiple times, and do you plan your training days around where the pit stops have to be. Believe it or not, athletic GI distress affects more than 60% […]
Eat to beat Cramps
The physiology of cramps can be complex. Nutrition may or may not have a role to play behind the why!! Stretching out and massaging muscles can certainly be a good start but this is often NOT enough, since electrolyte balance plays a major role in muscle function and recovery. Key nutrients include sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and calcium. On a personal level, having participated in master’s swim meet, while training for Ironman races, it is not uncommon for me to observe swimmers gathering at the lanes end in-between sets to […]
Emotional Eating: Awareness and Control
Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD Emotional (or stress) eating has always been a hot topic, mainly because one can find themselves turning to the pantry or fridge for a source of comfort, even though the appetite stimulant hormones are not active. How it can be controlled, comes with an understanding of what it is and why it happens and then developing an appropriate strategy on how it can be controlled. Recognizing signs of emotional eating may seem obvious, like feelings of stress, anger, or sadness drives you to eat. Underlying […]
Miraculous Magnesium
The USA has the highest rate of dairy consumption, yet it also has the highest rate of osteoporosis. Does this not seem preposterous? It was this observation that got me reanalyzing some metabolic pathways involving calcium. During this research, I also noticed a high percentage of my clients that report calcium supplementation recommended by their doctors. I certainly agree that calcium supplementation has its place in our diet, but only if calcium sources are limited. How I arrived at this premise is described here, and it involves a trace mineral […]
Go with your Gut – GI Distress from a different perspective
Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD Since a big part of my work with athletes involves reducing the risk of Gastrointestinal (GI) distress I thought a different perspective of the GI environment and how to nurture it would be rather informative. The organisms and their metabolic processes themselves, the majority of which live in the colon, are referred to as microbiome and they dramatically effect human health in general, not just for athletism. The microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms ranging between bacteria, fungi, viruses, and others., all of […]
STRATEGIZING FOR HYDRATION
ILANA KATZ MS, RD, CSSD Remaining hydrated is a key element to optimal performance. Even a 1-2% drop in body weight due to fluid loss can drastically affect endurance. As a sports nutritionist, I train many athletes to be aware of the importance of hydration. However, to simply have the fluid available is no good if it is not consumed. So although this topic may be a tangent to sports nutrition itself, it may offer some great tips, particularly beginners who may either struggle with balance on the bike, or […]
FUEL SAFE ZONE
protein cookies 1 c (4 scoops) vanilla whey protein powder 1 c almond flour 1 c almond butter 1½ c unsweet applesauce 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt sweetener optional, and for taste: Recommend to use a stevia based one and about 1 Tbsp is perfect amount for the recipe. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Use as a batter and shape into cookie size on a baking sheet (3″ diameter, can roll into a ball and press slightly down to flatten). Bake at 350 […]
RESOLVING TO BE A BETTER TRIATHLETE
Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD (a partner in crime) Just the other day I was pleased to see a whole bunch of 5:00am-ers waiting for the gym doors to open. The regulars were there too, most of them with their eye roll to one another (translation: “these new folk will be gone before the next cold days emerges”). According to Time.Com. the most broken resolutions are related to diet and exercise. So why then do people keep making the same resolutions and breaking them year after year? More importantly, what […]
IRONMAN 70.3 AUGUSTA 9-27-2015
On the anniversary of my last full ironman distance event I participated in my 10th half that crazy distance. Yes, I have a hard time saying “raced” for some odd reason… I guess I feel too much pressure having to “race” rather than “participate”. Mind you, if you shuffle the letters around, “raced” can be found in “participated.” Then again, I do need to get over it: “race” is what triathletes do, even if it’s not racing against fellow participants, one often has that sense of racing against oneself. Augusta […]
Athletes Guide to Holiday Season Survival
With Thanksgiving just past and December holidays imminent, yet another holiday season begins. Just like with Pavlov’s dog, a forthcoming holiday season brings thoughts of cookies and cakes, turkey and trimmings, pumpkin and pecan pies. Moreover, with racing season on the low down, it is not difficult to pack on the off season pounds. With a survival guide and a plan of action you do not have to forego the traditions and feasts of this time in order to remain at competing weight. In essence, match your nutrition choices to the specific […]
