Optimizing Intermittent Fasting in Athletes: Manipulating the Menu

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an umbrella term describing a variety of approaches to restricting food and fluid intake for an extended period of time, usually greater than 12 hours. The concepts of significance for sports dietitians are to identify the specific IF protocols that most positively impact the parameters of interest including body composition, inflammation, immune function and exercise performance. Therefore, this presentation will dually focus on a review of the specific IF protocols with the most evidence-based data regarding these parameters and identify the specific categories of athletes who might most benefit from this dietary pattern. The second half of the presentation will include a culinary demonstration highlighting key menu enhancement techniques to consider for athletes planning to engage in an IF approach. The focus will be on menu planning, with specific ingredients and focal nutrient parameters for IF to be successfully incorporated into the athlete's plate.

CPE Level: Level 3 (advanced knowledge/expertise)
CPEU: 1

Performance Indicators

• 8.3.8 Creates a nutrition care plan to match energy and other nutrient and fluid needs to maintain health, optimize performance and reduce the likelihood of negative exercise outcomes (e.g., overtraining, injury).
• 8.4.3 Identifies research gaps to support conscious decision-making
• 8.5.1 Plans and designs nutritionally sound meals, menus and meal plans that promote health and disease management, and meet client needs.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the top intermittent fasting protocols impacting body composition, inflammation, immune function, and exercise performance
• Review the key evidence-based data to support use of IF protocols for specific categories of athletes
• Utilize the menu enhancement techniques presented to safely incorporate IF into the diet of athletes who will most benefit from intermittent fasting

Moderator

• Michele Macedonio, MS, RDN, LD

Speakers

• Roberta Anding, MS, RDN, ,CDCES, FAND
• Hope D. Barkoukis, PhD, RDN, LD, FAND