Resource type:
Peer review
Link:
This exploratory study examined diet quality in 26 Australian ultramarathon runners using 3-day food diaries and the Healthy Eating Index for Australians (HEIFA-2013). Despite meeting protein needs, runners under-consumed carbohydrates and over-consumed fats. Their diet quality score averaged 63.1/100, indicating moderate alignment with dietary guidelines. Core food groups such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains were inadequately consumed, while discretionary (less healthy) foods were overrepresented. The findings highlight a paradox where athletes with high physical activity levels still maintain suboptimal diets, potentially compromising recovery, immunity, and performance.
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