Performance Food Athletes November 5th 2007 Steph Twell and Charlie Purdue are 2 of a growing number of athletes benefiting from the expertise and experience of the specialist sports nutrition services at Performance Food Ltd. Steph is studying Strength and Conditioning Science at St Mary's University College in Twickenham and both Steph and Charlie are members of a talented group of athletes coached by Mick Woods the performance coach at UK Athletics' endurance performance centre which is based at St Mary’s. Steph has been working with Performance Food nutritionist Karen Reid over the past 3 years with whom she has developed a strong professional relationship based on the experience and quality of the individual support provided. Stephs recent performances have earned her a qualifying time for the Beijing Olympics, a European junior cross country title, and she currently holds the world leading mark (under 20) for 1500m and 3000m. With London 2012 firmly in her sights, it’s no wonder she is being talked up as the new Paula Radcliffe!

Flora London Marathon
April 22nd 2007

Performance Food nutritionist, Karen Reid, is working with Tommy’s the Baby Charity to provide nutrition advice to their team of runners taking part in the Flora London Marathon 2007. Training tips for the runners are being provided by two-time British marathon champion Mark Steinle who has been the nation's top finisher in the London Marathon in three of the last five years, clocking 2.09.17 in 2002 to become the eighth fastest British marathon runner of all time. He represented Great Britain at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and in two World half-marathon championships The Tommy’s team have 63 golden bond runners in the Flora London Marathon and around 40 own place runners. They also have 10 places in both the New York and Berlin marathons.

The Performance Food Guide to Marathon Nutrition is now available to Performance Food members and explains how runners can eat and drink their way to a better marathon. It’s packed with great information on fuelling your training sessions, avoiding illness with marathon superfoods, marathon meals and menus, and the all important eating and drinking strategy for the big day itself.

Performance Food supports the 2006 World Rowing Championships
Eton, Windsor, 20-27 August 2006

The first full World Rowing Championships to be held in the UK for 20 years took place at the Dorney Lake course, Eton during August. Now chosen as the Rowing and Flat-water Canoeing venue for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games, Dorney Lake hosted 68 nations. Over 1,000 of the world’s top athletes took part in the championships over the eight days of events with more than 75 medals at stake.

Performance Food MD Karen Reid was the consultant nutritionist to this event and worked closely with the ARA organising committee to ensure that the specific nutritional needs of the rowers were catered for at the course itself and accommodation venues. Athletes and coaches were able to access a menu of high quality performance foods specific to the demands of world class rowing from the crew café at the course which included plenty of carbohydrate, good quality protein foods, fresh fruit, vegetables, and unlimited fluids. Performance Food was delighted to be associated with such an outstanding event.

Sports supplements and the associated risks Tuesday 18th July

UK sport - HFL open day
Openness, transparency and support

Karen Reid the MD of Performance Food Ltd took part in the UK Sport open day hosted by HFL laboratories in Cambridge on the 21st June 2006. Her presentation, Performance Food - a permitted alternative showed how athletes can use safe and affordable food options to a number of different supplements, and save money on expensive sports food products at the same time!

With the area of supplements in sport coming to the fore over the last 6 years, Performance Food Ltd has provided education and resources that demonstrate to athletes that food alternatives exist, and has supported UK Sport in the development of their new supplements educational document launched at the Open Day.

Presented in three sections, this document addresses the risk assessment and informed choice an athlete should undertake if they choose to use a supplement, some basic nutritional information and some information on a limited number of supplements.  This educational resource will be a living document and subject to change should more information become apparent that it is essential to share with the elite sport community.

The UK Sport educational resource Sports Supplements and the Associated Risks is now available to download at  www.100percentme.co.uk

Gaining lean body mass – it’s a 2 phase approach

One of the most common reasons why athletes seek nutrition advice is to achieve changes in body composition with a view to improving their power to weight ratio, and performance. Gaining lean body mass needs a 2 phase approach to nutrition and Performance Food has put together a practical guide which is a must for anyone wanting to take a proactive dietary approach to optimising their diet to increase lean body mass.

Do you use nutritional supplements?

Many athletes and sportspeople are tempted to find that extra performance edge through using nutritional supplements. However a recent report from the International Olympic Committee (IOC April 2002), found that 15% of the 634 supplements it tested from 13 countries contained banned substances, including nandrolone. The UK had the third highest rate with 18.9% providing a positive result.

The Medical Commission of the IOC and representatives from UK Sport are now strongly advising athletes not to use nutritional supplements, as their contents cannot always be guaranteed. It is hoped that the results of this study might prompt greater controls and regulation of the manufacturers of such products.

Do athletes need supplements?

In the vast majority of cases, the optimum nutritional intake for sports performance can be achieved through eating and drinking the correct amount of food and fluids at the appropriate time for training and competition.

Sports Dietitians are qualified to give practical advice on eating and drinking, and have the training and skills to help sports performers to learn how to choose foods to meet their dietary goals.

Supplements should only be considered if an athlete is unable to achieve the optimal intake from foods, and after consultation with an appropriately qualified sports dietitian or nutritionist.