Nutrition considerations for athletes with diabetes 📝
Your go-to guide for diabetic athletes.
Nutritional considerations for athletes with diabetes: optimizing performance and glycemic control
Study Details
This new review highlighted key nutritional requirements and strategies for diabetic athletes 📚
Here are the most important factors ⬇️
Key Findings
Carbohydrate Periodisation
🎯 Match fuel to training demands
📊 Adjust carbohydrate intake to exercise intensity
⏰ Pre-, intra-, and post-exercise
📝 Prevents hypoglycaemia and supports endurance
Glycaemic Index Awareness
🎯 Control postprandial glucose
📊 Prioritise low-to-moderate GI foods
⏰ 1–3 hours pre-exercise
📝 Reduces rapid glucose spikes
Pre-Exercise Snack
🎯 Prevent hypoglycaemia
📊 15–30 g carbohydrates with protein
⏰ 30–60 minutes before exercise
📝 Adjust insulin as needed
Intra-Exercise Fueling
🎯 Maintain blood glucose
📊 30–60 g carbohydrate per hour
⏰ During exercise >60 minutes
📝 Monitor glucose regularly
Post-Exercise Recovery
🎯 Replenish glycogen and repair muscle
📊 1–1.2 g/kg carbohydrates + 0.3 g/kg protein
⏰ Within 30 minutes post-exercise
📝 Elevated insulin sensitivity post-exercise
Protein Intake
🎯 Support recovery and adaptation
📊 1.6–2.0 g/kg/day
⏰ Evenly across meals
📝 Helps stabilise blood glucose
Fat Intake Quality
🎯 Optimise metabolic health
📊 Emphasise MUFAs and omega-3s
⏰ Throughout the day
📝 Supports cardiovascular health
Hydration and Electrolytes
🎯 Prevent dehydration and ketosis
📊 Fluids with sodium and electrolytes
⏰ Before, during, and after exercise
📝 Hyperglycaemia increases fluid loss
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)
🎯 Track glucose fluctuations
📊 Use CGM technology
⏰ Continuous monitoring
📝 Enables precise nutrition and insulin adjustments
Insulin Timing Adjustment
🎯 Prevent hypo- and hyperglycaemia
📊 Reduce bolus insulin before exercise
⏰ 30–60 minutes pre-exercise
📝 Coordinate with healthcare professionals
Carbohydrate Counting
🎯 Align insulin with intake
📊 Track carbohydrate content
⏰ At each meal and snack
📝 Enables flexible insulin dosing
Micronutrient Optimisation
🎯 Support metabolic function
📊 Ensure adequate Mg, Zn, Cr, and vitamin D
⏰ Through diet or supplementation
📝 Deficiencies impair insulin sensitivity
Fibre Intake
🎯 Stabilise glucose responses
📊 Include whole grains, legumes, and vegetables
⏰ With meals
📝 Slows glucose absorption
Avoiding Late-Night Hypoglycaemia
🎯 Prevent nocturnal hypoglycaemia
📊 Small carbohydrate and protein snack
⏰ Before sleep
📝 Adjust insulin accordingly
Caffeine Use
🎯 Enhance alertness and performance
📊 3–6 mg/kg caffeine
⏰ 30–60 minutes pre-exercise
📝 May increase glucose variability
Alcohol Management
🎯 Prevent delayed hypoglycaemia
📊 Consume with carbohydrate-containing foods
⏰ Occasionally, post-exercise
📝 Monitor glucose overnight
Ketone Monitoring
🎯 Detect diabetic ketoacidosis risk
📊 Use blood or urine ketone tests
⏰ During illness or extreme exercise
📝 Essential for Type 1 diabetes
Meal Frequency
🎯 Maintain stable glucose levels
📊 4–6 balanced meals daily
⏰ Distributed throughout the day
📝 Minimises glucose fluctuations
Individualised Nutrition Plan
🎯 Personalise performance nutrition
📊 Dietitian-guided strategy
⏰ Ongoing and adaptive
📝 Integrates training, insulin, and nutrition
Reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41971384/
Performance Nutrition Digest is powered by Healthspan Elite ⚡️
Healthspan Elite is a science-led sports nutrition range developed in collaboration with leading experts to support athletic performance, recovery, and health.
Use code: TCDIGEST25 for 25% off at https://www.healthspanelite.co.uk/ 💪