Long haul flights can be challenging for elite athletes as it can cause disruptions to training, sleep, appetite, hydration and overall well-being.
A recent systematic literature review looked at nutritional issues faced commonly by travelling athletes. We have saved you the lengthy read and compiled our top tips from the review as follows:
1. Discuss your probiotic options with a Sports Dietitian for the weeks before travel
2. Make a hydration plan for your travel journey – aim for at least 2L of water each day
3. Have snacks in your hand luggage in case of flight delays
4. Keep up your protein rich snacks to minimise any muscle loss during travel
5. Do your research on the food available at your destination, how will you adapt to meet your protein and energy requirements?
More importantly, preparation is key. Discuss your travel plans long before you go with your Sports Dietitian and medical team to optimise the travel journey and settling in to your destination so you’re ready to train and compete optimally.
