What is it about?
In competitive sports the use of dietary, medical, and performance supplements is commonplace, although sports nutrition experts keep reminding athletes to rely on a balanced diet with predominantly ‘natural foods‘, and not to overestimate the benefits of supplements. However, to strictly avoid nutraceuticals ('food only' approach) may not be the best strategy either. Instead, we support the 'food first' concept which endorses the personalized usage of certain supplements in specific situations in addition to a balanced basic diet. It allows athletes to incorporate individual sports foods, immune modulators or performance enhancers into their diet plan in order to maintain, restore or promote performance capacity. Nonetheless, the risks which can be associated with the use of supplements also need to be taken into account and athletes educated accordingly.
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Why is it important?
The 'food first' approach of sports nutrition, which was first mentioned in a consensus statement in 2019, should become more popular among athletes, coaches, and health care practitioners.
Perspectives
For me as a German scientific author it was a great opportunity to publish my first article in English language in an American journal.
Alexandra Schek
University of Giessen, Germany
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: “Food First,” Not “Food Only” in Competitive Sports: A Mini-Review, The Open Sports Sciences Journal, May 2025, Bentham Science Publishers,
DOI: 10.2174/011875399x378498250508065801.
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