The difference between clinical and sports nutrition

My name is Alisha and I am passionate about nutrition and I have also been an endurance athlete for the last 8 years. I work in clinical nutrition and sports nutrition. You may be wondering what the difference is between clinical and sports nutrition and what is right for you.

When clients come to me for clinical nutrition they usually have some kind of health condition or unpleasant symptoms that need additional assistance outside of the usual care of their GP. 

So what do we do? We assess and advise individuals on their nutritional needs to optimise health and assist to prevent or manage various health conditions. 

We evaluate individuals' dietary habits, medical history, lifestyle factors, and nutritional status through various methods such as interviews, questionnaires, and in some cases minor physical examinations.

Based on our assessments, we provide personalised dietary recommendations to address specific health concerns or conditions. We educate clients on healthy eating habits, portion control, food choices, and meal planning tailored to their individual needs and goals.

We also develop nutrition plans for individuals with medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, gastrointestinal disorders, and food allergies. We work closely with other healthcare professionals to integrate nutrition into the client’s overall treatment plans.

We also monitor our clients' progress and make necessary adjustments to their nutrition plans as needed. We provide ongoing support, motivation, and guidance to help clients achieve their health and wellness goals.

Whereas a sports nutritionist specialises in providing nutrition advice and guidance to athletes and individuals involved in physical activity or sports. Their main focus is on optimising athletic performance, supporting recovery, and preventing injuries through proper nutrition. Here are some key things we do in this area:

We start by assessing the athletes' dietary habits, training routines, performance goals, body composition, and nutritional needs. We may use tools such as dietary recalls, food logs, and body composition analysis to gather relevant information.

Based on the client’s assessment, we develop a personalised nutrition plan tailored to the athletes' specific needs and goals. These plans typically include recommendations for macronutrient intake (carbohydrates, proteins, fats), hydration strategies, timing of meals and snacks, and supplementation if necessary.

Sports nutritionists help athletes optimise their performance by providing guidance on pre- and post-exercise nutrition, fueling strategies during training and competition, and recovery nutrition to support muscle repair and glycogen replenishment.

Proper hydration is essential for athletic performance and recovery. Sports nutritionists educate athletes on the importance of hydration, monitor fluid intake during training and competition, and develop individualised hydration plans based on sweat rates and environmental conditions.

We can also assist athletes in achieving and maintaining optimal body composition for their sport through appropriate nutrition and dietary strategies. This may involve adjusting calorie intake, manipulating macronutrient ratios, and monitoring changes in body weight and composition over time.

In addition to providing individualised nutrition guidance, sports nutritionists educate athletes on topics such as nutrient timing, food choices, portion control, and the role of nutrition in injury prevention and recovery.

One of the most important roles we have is educating clients on the importance of energy availability and avoiding RED-S (more on this in another blog to come).

We also help athletes make informed decisions about dietary supplements, including assessing the safety, efficacy, and legality of various products. We may recommend supplements when appropriate to address specific nutritional deficiencies or performance goals.

Overall there is quite a big difference between clinical and sports nutrition - but they can actually work really well together. How often do you have an athlete who has zero health concerns? Not very often. Therefore we can support not just the general population in optimising their health, but also play a role in supporting athletes' overall health, performance, and success by optimising their nutrition strategies to meet the demands of training, competition, and recovery.