Say No to the Faux: Dubious Diet Trends, Tests, and Supplements

Presented by Leslie Bonci and Roberta Anding

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Video Runtime: 62 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 40 Minutes

In the quest to optimize performance, athletes may be tempted to try unproven, potentially harmful, or useless testing, resulting in nutrient exclusion, increased reliance on supplementation, and adverse consequences for health. As the gatekeepers and athletes’ advocates, our responsibility is to dissuade athletes from questionable practices and guide them to recommendations based on science over speculation.

Learning Objectives
  • Examine the impact of food/nutrient elimination without justification based on non-science-based blood tests
  • Apply recommendations for caffeine use as an ergogenic aid while determining the impact on health and performance
  • Analyze the detrimental health and performance consequences of extreme eating patterns
  • Implement recommendations for safe supplementation based on evidence, blood work, and individual goals

Meet your instructors

Leslie Bonci

Leslie Bonci is a registered dietitian; a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics; the owner of Active Eating Advice (Be fit, fed and fearless!), a nutrition consulting company; and a cofounder of Performance 365, a sports nutrition consulting company. She is currently the sports nutrition consultant for the Kansas…

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Roberta Anding

Roberta Anding is a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant for the Baylor College of Medicine Corporate Programs team. She is an instructor in the Baylor Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Roberta is faculty at Rice University and is currently the sports dietitian for the Rice Owls. She is the former sports dietitian…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Risks and Benefits of Food Sensitivity Testing

1. Risks and Benefits of Food Sensitivity Testing

Blood tests are readily available but may be unreliable, unnecessary, or costly and result in food and nutrient exclusion. Athletes who remove foods from their diet without medical justification risk adverse health and performance consequences.

Energy or Stimulant? The Hype, Health, and Harm of Caffeine Use

2. Energy or Stimulant? The Hype, Health, and Harm of Caffeine Use

Improving and maintaining energy is a priority for athletes, thus products labeled as energy promoting are attractive. Caffeine may have ergogenic potential for some individuals but can be overconsumed easily, so dosing is critically important to prevent adverse impacts on health and sleep.

Impact of Restriction, Dieting Extremes, and Inconsistency on Performance, Health, and Body Goals

3. Impact of Restriction, Dieting Extremes, and Inconsistency on Performance, Health, and Body Goals

Diet extremes supported by testimonials over evidence have become more popular as athletes strive to enhance performance. In addition to an increased risk for inadequate intake, what are the potential adverse consequences on health and performance?

Inappropriate Supplement Use in Athletic Populations

4. Inappropriate Supplement Use in Athletic Populations

The use of supplements to improve performance and health is quite prevalent among athletes. It is our responsibility to educate our patients on the pros and cons, efficacy, cost, potential unintended consequences, liability, and legality of supplement use.