An eating plan and update on recommended dietary practices for the endurance athlete.

This article presents a six-group exchange food plan for the endurance athlete. The plan allows approximately 1,850, 3,460, and 3,760 kcal for a weight reduction diet, general training diet, and carbohydrate-loading intake plan, respectively. Because complex carbohydrate is the primary source of fuel, the training diet and the carbohydrate-loading diet contain 500 g and 600 g carbohydrate, respectively, whereas in the weight reduction plan more than 60% of total energy is carbohydrate. Overall nutrient adequacy of the exchanges and fluid needs for the athlete are discussed. Recommendations and protocol for current dietary practices are given. Dietitians are encouraged to assess the caloric needs of their clients and to individualize the suggested plans in accordance with the needs of each athlete.