Tag: Fueling for athletes

Following exhaustive exercise, your muscles are most primed for glycogen storage, making the first 30-60 minutes a critical 'glycogen window' for rapid replenishment. However, the total time it takes for carbs to fill your muscles completely can range from 4 hours to a full 24-48 hours, depending on the intensity of your workout and your nutritional strategy.

According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), many athletes require 2500 to 8000 calories per day, depending on their sport and intensity. This makes it clear that for the majority of active individuals, 2000 calories is likely not enough to sustain performance, recovery, and overall health.

According to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, athletes need significantly more calories and greater amounts of macronutrients compared to the general public to maintain peak performance, highlighting the importance of understanding exactly what a pro athlete eat to fuel their demanding lifestyle. This specialized approach to nutrition is what separates the average from the elite, supporting everything from explosive power to long-endurance stamina.