Performance Nutrition

" You could be on the best training program in the world, but without proper nutritional intake your results can be severely reduced, and thus optimal performance never achieved. Proper nutrition is the difference maker for anyone trying to lose weight, gain weight, or perform at their highest level, in life and in sport."

Todd Norman, MS, CSCS

Do you know exactly how much protein you should consume per day? If you take creatine, are you taking the right amount for your weight and lean body mass, or are you just taking what the prescription says on the bottle? Athletes and coaches are often misled or misinformed as to what effects popular supplements have on the body and how one should really use them. Therefore, proper education and instruction can greatly enhance an athlete's ability to safely achieve optimal nutritional consumption.

Dietary intake is another component that is extremely important for athletic success. Athletes must consume the correct amount of calories in the proper nutrient ratios specific to their particular sport and position, body type, and training schedule. Safe and accurate methods for weight loss/gain, maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, supplementation and the use of performance enhancing aids should also be understood and used by the athlete. Furthermore, athletes must know how to fuel their bodies before, during, and after training, practices, and competitions. This will ensure sufficient energy stores for intense training and recovery between workouts.

Cutting Edge Sports Nutrition is provided by sports nutritionist Kristy Richardson MS, MPH, RD, CSSD, who utilizes a detailed approach to perform a complete dietary assessment and implement a strategic gameplan to achieve your desired goals.

Kristy will educate you on nutritional basics, supplements, how many calories you should be consuming on heavy vs. light training days, what you should eat before and after workouts, and much more.

A Registered Dietitian is the expert on healthy eating, food and nutrition. She has a university degree in nutrition and dietetics, has completed an internship in a hospital and is a member of the provincial dietetic association or college. The title "dietitian" is protected and can only be used by people who meet the high educational standards, whereas the term "nutritionist" is not protected.

Kristy Richardson is a Registered Dietitian specializing in sports nutrition and weight management. She graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, received a Master's degree in Community Health from UCLA and received a Master's degree in Exercise Science from Cal State Fullerton. Kristy is a board certified specialist in sports dietetics and is certified in adult weight management through the American Dietetic Association. She has taught Nutrition, Health, and Exercise Physiology courses at various colleges throughout southern California, including UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton College, Mt. San Antonio College and Santa Ana College.

Kristy is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the American College of Sports Medicine. She served as president of the Orange County District of the California Dietetic Association and is co-chair for Sports Dietetics USA's Sports Nutrtition Mentoring Program.