Sports Nutrition

Why is nutrition so important for sports performance?

Post exercise recovery

Athletes of any standard are always looking to improve their performance but performance in competition, whether it’s on the football field, in a race or competing against your own previous best, also depends on how you recover from your training.

Any exercise of moderate to high intensity damages your body at some level and you need to recover from this before going through the cycle again.  To repair the damage, you need to provide the right building blocks in your body.

Protein is often discussed as being important and it is!  The damage we do to our muscle fibres in our training triggers messages in our bodies that can increase how the body uses protein to help our muscles grow and help us adapt.  It’s really important to include good quality protein in our diets.  For someone aiming to build their athletic potential it’s recommended to have about 1.2-1.6g of protein to every kilogram of body weight so for someone weighing 70 kg they would want about 84-112g of protein from their diet every day.  As an example, a large poached egg contains 6.25g of protein so two poached eggs plus 50 g of smoked salmon would provide almost a third of your daily requirement.  The ideal window for fuelling recovery is within 30 -60 minutes after exercise.  It really depends on the individual and type of training as to whether you also need carbohydrates to also allow your glycogen stores in your muscles to be replaced.  The ideal carbohydrates to use for this are things like sweet potato and brown rice.

It is very possible to have too much protein especially if you start using protein powders and these are not all created equal.  Whey or casein concentrates can cause bloating or inflammatory reactions so using plant based ones such as Sun Warrior may be a better idea.

We need anti-oxidants to help our bodies deal with the cellular damage that can happen.  Our bodies naturally produce these and we can support that process but eating foods that contain anti-oxidant properties.  These are the colourful fruits and vegetables, things like red peppers, kiwi fruit, strawberries are excellent sources of vitamin C.  Vitamin A can be found in colourful fruit and veg, eggs and dairy products.  Good sources of vitamin E include avocados, nuts, seeds and oily fish.  Selenium is a useful mineral and sources include nuts, especially brazil nuts, seeds, mushrooms, fish and poultry.  It is possible to find good anti-oxidant supplements but taking these can reduce our bodies ability to cope so shouldn’t be taken regularly.

It is really important to eat a wide range of foods to support health, especially when training hard.  It’s easy to find foods that seem to suit us and stick to the same regime all the time.  In the same way that we need to change our training we also need to vary our foods.  Eating the same thing all the time can lead to problems with our digestion and reduced performance.  Take a step back to think about the fuel you are providing your body.

We’re all unique so it can be worth having a consultation to get an objective perspective on how you are doing and think about what could work better for you.

Therapists in Residence:

Diane Stephenson

What our clients say about us

I understand that you are giving a talk to a group at a Fibromyalgia Group so I thought I would drop you a line and let you know who I have been since I saw you in Octobers last year and you may wish to quote my email in your chat.

When I came to see you I was in a lot of pain especially in my neck and shoulders and some in my lower back which was having a massive effect on my sleep and general well being. I had tried physiotherapy, Chiropractor and osteopath before having Bowen Therapy. Since my treatment with you I now rarely have any pain and now manage to get a good nights sleep which In turn has improved my quality of life which is why you haven’t seen me.

When I had my first treatment I must say I was sceptical (not sure if spelt right) and sometimes felt worse once I was home but after 4 sessions I decided to have a break from treatment and see what would happen and the the results have been amazing a complete life saver in my view. I no longer find that I am feeling depressed and am able to cope with life so much better and have even started exercising again.

I would say to anyone give Bowen a try and don’t dismiss it till you have at least a couple of sessions. After suffering for YEARS Bowen Therapy has in effect given me my life back. I am due to see a rhematoligist at the end of the month due to an unexplained swelling/lump that I have on my wrist which may or may not be the cause of intermittent pain I am getting in my thumb joint and also to see if I do indeed have Fibromyalgia (recently had lot of eye trouble which has been put down to dry eye) Always something with me but at least I am no longer in constant pain.

Late I know but thank you so much as you were a great.

— CS, Wokingham

Hi, just thought I would let you know that I spoke with my aunt last night, and she is very pleased with the service that you provide. Her feet felt great afterwards.

So, thank you, she thought it was a lovely experience.

I know that she has booked a second appointment so she has happy feet for Christmas! I am sure that she will spread the word amongst her friends.

Having developed a very painful and debilitating “frozen shoulder” which was impacting on my ability to lift my left arm higher than just a few inches, I was becoming concerned aboutthe amount of pain-killing drugs I was having to take to get through the day. I heard about the “Bowen Technique” through a friend and in desperation decided to book an appointment with Lee, to see if it could possibly help the condition. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but after just one pain free and relaxing session, I was amazed to find that the mobility in my shoulder had noticeably increased. Five treatments and about a month later, my shoulder was completely back to normal with its full mobility restored. That was seven months ago and my shoulder is still absolutely fine in every way. I can’t thank Lee enough for her help in using the “Bowen Technique” to completely cure my shoulder

— Emmi Birch

So you can see I have a lot to THANK Bowen and you for…. There were times when I was going to give up – purely from the fear factor of not having a “loo” on that journey – but it’s amazing what you can “hold on to” …….I have been feeling very well and my body is improving almost weekly – my fitness is probably 100% up on this time last year and I feel positive, happy, calm in myself

— Pauline - Cookham

Afternoon Lee Thank you for seeing me on Monday. I have made an appointment to see a doctor on Thursday and will let you know the outcome.The spasms around the ribs have almost gone, I am sleeping wonderfully and my neck is more flexible. I have been ambling around (and drinking water!) since Monday and this morning I’m feeling brighter. Looking forward to Monday! Kindest Regards Jo

— J K - Maidenhead

HI Lee, Oh my its all better thank you so much can’t really believe the difference:you are magic. Thank you so much. Best regards and have a good Christmas if not seeing you before.

— Prue Clifton

Since the start of my Bowen treatment I have had relief from pain that I have had for several years. I would recommend it to anyone who has any problems with their health. Also I find that my body and mind seem to be a lot more relaxed, feeling of well being.

— E.C - Maidenhead

Hi, I met you last week at Wexham Park Hospital, where you did a taster session
on myself. I’m very interested in having another treatment with you. I had great relief from the session I had with you.

— TS - Langley

Hi Lee
I just thought I’d give you an update after my therapy yesterday. I felt so relaxed for the rest of the day and my painful right shoulder really subsided as the day went on.

I woke up this morning and felt brilliant! Hardly any aches and pains at all. I’ve had a great day with boundless energy. I’ve achieved so much, silly little things really but they mean a lot to be able to do these things that a few weeks ago seemed impossible.

I eventually called it a day at 4.30 pm and took a good book into the garden with a large glass of wine!

For the first time in weeks I feel totally normal and still very relaxed.

I’m looking forward to my therapy next week.

See you then, Kind regards,Sue

— SF - Bracknell - Poymyalgia

Hello Lee,

I’ve been meaning to send you a progress report for a while. My second treatment was nearly 3 weeks ago now.

Everything is doing really well! My leg and right side feels very different and ‘connected’ again. I realise I had got used to it not feeling right and now I’m definitely noticing the difference. I’m sure I’m moving in a more balanced way. The improvement has been dramatic after the last treatment. I did have some recurrence of aches down the leg and/or sciatic area some days later but this didn’t last very long. I find it hard to believe that two sessions have achieved this result.

I am delighted with how you and Bowen have helped me. Thank you so much; it’s a wonderful therapy. I’m feeling sure that this change for the better is permanent – but I’ll certainly call you if I do have any concerns later.

I hope all is well with you.
Best wishes JC

— JC - Isleworth - Sciatica

As a well-established curtain manufacturing business in the Maidenhead area, I know how important it is to offer a personal, high quality service to my clients.

I would therefore like to thank you for reaching the same high standard in you recent dealings with me. I was recommended to use you by Sally Radford of the Amber zone after I was diagnosed with tendinitis in my knee. I was a little apprehensive a first but you put me at ease very quickly. The treatment is like nothing I have ever experienced before however, I don’t need to know how it works, all I know is that it does. Three sessions and I was pain free and now I am even able to dance in the kitchen (when no-one is looking).

Thank you for your help and I will find it easy to refer my client’s to you, knowing that they are in safe hands.
Many thanks

— SW, Maidenhead

If you would like to have a chat about some of the treatments provided.