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Athletes can expect 'profound' benefits by eating better...but what about steroids?
(Washington, D.C., July 12, 2006)- Athletes who consume customary American foods that are
typically high in sugar and saturated fat can realize tangible and measurable performance
benefits by eating healthier foods at prescribed times.
So says sports nutritionist Dave Ellis, a registered dietitian who counsels top college and professional athletes, and who is speaking twice this week in Washington at the annual meeting of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
"Athletes who switch from a largely fast food diet to fresh produce, lean protein and complex carbohydrates are going to experience profound benefits," Ellis explains. "They're going to fend off illness, have more energy and recover faster from hard workouts.
"And that's exactly the message we should be pounding home to younger athletes, the ones who think there are two kinds of top-level athletes: those who use steroids and get caught; and those who use steroids and don't get caught."
Ellis has been feeding and educating top American athletes for 25 years in college, professional and Olympic sports. He says the vast majority of athletes play within the rules, and always have.
"But with all the media attention given to the cheaters," he says, "younger athletes are coming away today with the impression that everyone is using banned performance-enhancing substances."
Ellis admits that steroids are a formidable foe.
"Younger athletes on steroids are going to achieve strength and muscle mass gains in about half the time compared to those who adhere to a carefully constructed food-first program," Ellis concedes. "Unethical athletes who use banned substances have an advantage in the short term, provided they're willing to risk everything, including their lives, by taking those short cuts."
Conversely, Ellis says, ethical athletes who fuel their bodies on healthier foods and who learn to consume specific types of foods at certain times of the day will generate more energy, repair damaged muscle tissue more quickly, and be less prone to illnesses like cold and flu.
"Those athletes who learn to eat wisely are in for some very pleasant surprises," Ellis said. While acknowledging that the integrity of sports is entirely dependent upon a level playing field for everyone, Ellis says the time has finally arrived to squeeze performance-enhancing substances out of sports and to make way for healthier foods. He admits to sometimes wondering what would happen if fresh fruits and vegetables were prohibited.
"Athletes would be sneaking asparagus and cantaloupe into their dorm rooms under their sweatshirts," he mused. "We probably wouldn't be able to keep carrots and spinach in stock."
Ellis will participate in a panel discussion on "Steroid Education" during the NSCA meeting Friday afternoon, which is closed to the public. He has a one-hour talk Saturday morning on "Nutrition Recovery."
Ellis released one-hour and two-hour DVDs this summer called Fueling Tactics that illustrate how his "food-first" sports nutrition system works. The DVDs, which come with posters that prioritize foods based on nutritional value, can be previewed and purchased at www.fuelingtactics.com.
So says sports nutritionist Dave Ellis, a registered dietitian who counsels top college and professional athletes, and who is speaking twice this week in Washington at the annual meeting of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
"Athletes who switch from a largely fast food diet to fresh produce, lean protein and complex carbohydrates are going to experience profound benefits," Ellis explains. "They're going to fend off illness, have more energy and recover faster from hard workouts.
"And that's exactly the message we should be pounding home to younger athletes, the ones who think there are two kinds of top-level athletes: those who use steroids and get caught; and those who use steroids and don't get caught."
Ellis has been feeding and educating top American athletes for 25 years in college, professional and Olympic sports. He says the vast majority of athletes play within the rules, and always have.
"But with all the media attention given to the cheaters," he says, "younger athletes are coming away today with the impression that everyone is using banned performance-enhancing substances."
Ellis admits that steroids are a formidable foe.
"Younger athletes on steroids are going to achieve strength and muscle mass gains in about half the time compared to those who adhere to a carefully constructed food-first program," Ellis concedes. "Unethical athletes who use banned substances have an advantage in the short term, provided they're willing to risk everything, including their lives, by taking those short cuts."
Conversely, Ellis says, ethical athletes who fuel their bodies on healthier foods and who learn to consume specific types of foods at certain times of the day will generate more energy, repair damaged muscle tissue more quickly, and be less prone to illnesses like cold and flu.
"Those athletes who learn to eat wisely are in for some very pleasant surprises," Ellis said. While acknowledging that the integrity of sports is entirely dependent upon a level playing field for everyone, Ellis says the time has finally arrived to squeeze performance-enhancing substances out of sports and to make way for healthier foods. He admits to sometimes wondering what would happen if fresh fruits and vegetables were prohibited.
"Athletes would be sneaking asparagus and cantaloupe into their dorm rooms under their sweatshirts," he mused. "We probably wouldn't be able to keep carrots and spinach in stock."
Ellis will participate in a panel discussion on "Steroid Education" during the NSCA meeting Friday afternoon, which is closed to the public. He has a one-hour talk Saturday morning on "Nutrition Recovery."
Ellis released one-hour and two-hour DVDs this summer called Fueling Tactics that illustrate how his "food-first" sports nutrition system works. The DVDs, which come with posters that prioritize foods based on nutritional value, can be previewed and purchased at www.fuelingtactics.com.
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Media alert: Excerpts from the DVDs and the following news items are available at www.fuelingtactics.com:
· Top 10 Fueling Tactics Tips
· Fast Facts Sheet
· Ellis photo and backgrounder
· Food-first Fueling Tactics poster
Media Contact: John LeGear 708-974-3153 (johnlegear@aol.com)
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