4 Frightening Nutrition Myths That Athletes Should Ghost
Social media can be a spooky place for misinformation, especially with food, supplements, and body composition information.
From ghastly TikTok trends to nightmarish advice from unqualified influencers, it’s easy to get tricked instead of treated.
But fear not! In the spirit of Halloween, our sports dietitians are here to help you spot frightening myths, dodge unreliable sources, and fuel smarter this season.
1. If I copy this influencer’s promoted eating habits, I’ll match their body composition.
Each athlete’s body is different and has different metabolic demands based on their training and goals. Influencers don’t know your story or what you are working toward, so they truly can’t make any applicable recommendations. They also may not be CERTIFIED to do so! We encourage you to follow registered dietitians who work with athletes to pick up quick nutrition tips or helpful recipes. For personalized guidance, schedule an appointment with one of our sports dietitians.
2. I need a detox to “reset” my body.
Detoxes usually include cutting out food groups or solid foods altogether, with the goal of cleansing the body of toxins. The great news for you is that your liver and kidneys do this naturally. If you feel like your nutrition practices need support or a refocus, emphasize eating balanced plates with lots of colorful foods and see a sports dietitian for individualized care.
3. I should only eat “clean” foods.
“Clean” eating is hard to define and a slippery slope. Balance is needed for all athletes to fuel their bodies with some convenience foods and whole foods. Sometimes eating only clean can lead to nutrient deficiencies of vitamins and minerals that are needed for athletic success and the prevention of injury. If food is consuming your thoughts and causing more stress than good, you don’t need to live that way.
4. My favorite influencer takes this supplement, so I should too.
More than likely, this influencer is receiving a payment for the sale and does not know your story. Our sports dietitians encourage you to be skeptical of supplements, as many supplements are not third-party tested for efficiency and safety. If you are looking into a supplement, check that your fueling foundations need the support of a supplement. Our sports dietitians can do a nutrient analysis to confirm the supplement is right for you. Then, we can help you find a third-party tested option.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re training for your next game, competition, or season, our sports dietitians can help you cut through the noise and find what works for you.
Schedule your sports nutrition consultation today to take the guesswork out of your fueling strategy and leave the myths behind.
