Athletes’ Bodies Are Supposedly Temples. So Why Do So Many Consume Ultra-Processed Foods?

Pros and Cons

There is strong scientific evidence that sports foods can improve performance by providing a readily available source of energy and nutrients. However, there is also evidence that these foods have a detrimental impact on health due to their processing and formulation.

Athletes consume ultra-processed foods because they are convenient and often perceived as safe and hygienic alternatives where food intolerances or allergies are present or where food storage options are limited.

But what are the consequences of this consumption? Ultra-processed foods are classified as highly processed and are associated with a higher risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Athletes may also be unaware of the nutritional content of ultra-processed foods, as they are often packaged attractively and marketed as convenient replacements for less processed foods.

What Did We Find?

We surveyed 140 adult Australian athletes and found that 95% of them had consumed ultra-processed foods in the past year. The most popular foods were sports drinks, energy gels, and protein supplements.

Athletes in individual sports who trained for longer periods were more likely to use ultra-processed foods. Many athletes told us that everyday foods were more affordable and tasted better but were less convenient to prepare and carry during training and competition.

The majority of athletes (54%) were concerned about the health effects of ultra-processed foods. However, the half who were unconcerned stated that they either only occasionally used these foods, ate them in small amounts, or used them only for training and competition.

But What if I’m Otherwise ‘Healthy’?

Even if athletes have an otherwise healthy diet, consuming ultra-processed foods can have negative consequences. A study found that high intakes of ultra-processed foods were associated with an increased risk of death, heart disease, diabetes, and poorer mental health.

A review of all studies on ultra-processed foods and health concluded that these foods are a major contributor to chronic diseases. It also highlighted that there are potential health risks from eating ultra-processed foods regardless of whether an individual has an otherwise healthy diet.

The consensus is that athletes should aim to consume less ultra-processed foods as part of a healthy dietary pattern. Athletes can reduce their intake by choosing whole, fresh foods and avoiding packaged products whenever possible.

Some Tips for Athletes

1. Do your own meal preparation – start looking at recipes that are easy to make ahead of time, store well, and can be taken with you as you train. Energy balls, muesli bars, or sandwiches with jam or peanut butter are good options. The Sports Dietitians Australia website has some great suggestions.
2. Check in with your training buddies – ask them what they eat for training and competition, and look to see what is available in your local food stores.
3. You can also let your local food outlets know you are interested in purchasing minimally processed alternatives.
4. If you need to have them for training, limit the amount of ultra-processed foods you eat for the rest of your day. Every little bit may make a difference.
5. Adhering to the recommendations of the Australian Dietary Guidelines is still important. These have been designed to reduce the risk of chronic diseases for healthy Australians, including athletes. This means eating a variety of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean meat and alternatives, and milk products and alternatives each day.