Sports Blog
On this blog page, as a sports nutritionist, I share practical knowledge about basic nutrition, sports-specific nutrition, and supplements for all athletes who want to improve their performance. Here you will find concrete tips and advice that you can immediately apply to your sporting routine.
What does the fight between Verhoeven and Usyk teach us about sports nutrition for boxers?
Last Saturday, at the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, one of this year's most talked-about boxing matches took place: Rico Verhoeven against Oleksandr Usyk. I followed the reactions afterwards with interest. Verhoeven dominated for 11 rounds and was leading on points, until the referee stopped the fight in the closing seconds of the 11th round....
Stomach ache while running? How to train your gut too
I still remember how it felt during my first marathons, and sometimes even before that during the long training runs. Somewhere between kilometre 10 and 15 my stomach started to protest. A heavy feeling, as if there was a stone in it, sloshing with every step…
What does a gymnast really need? On fuel, growth and good food
You train two, three times a week. Not for the Olympics, but because you simply enjoy it. Still, your body deserves good fuel. This article is about sports nutrition for recreational trampolinists and gymnasts. And emphatically also for children, as gymnastics is largely practised by them.
Sports nutrition for minigolfers: every choice counts, even in a precision sport
Minigolf and sports nutrition. Not the most obvious combination, you might say. And yet: when I recently gave a presentation on location at DUNO for club members and trainers from various clubs affiliated with the Dutch Minigolf Association, that was precisely the subject...
How should you eat and drink as a water polo player?
From the age of thirteen to twenty-seven, I played water polo. For the first six years, I also did competitive swimming, which meant I trained eight times a week during that period: five times swimming and three times water polo, often with a match at the weekend. Secondary school and my studies suffered a bit because of it, but oh well. Priorities, right?…
Six days of snowboarding: what carbohydrates really do to your body | PRACTICAL TEST
The winter sports season is in full swing and still has a while to go. A perfect moment to share my own winter sports experience of this year with you. Last week I was on the slopes early every morning. Six days in a row snowboarding on the glacier in Kaprun, Austria. An average of 4.5 hours a day on the board…
HYROX and sports nutrition: how to get the best out of yourself
As a sports nutrition coach, I'm seeing more and more athletes enthusiastically talking about HYROX, and I completely understand the appeal. Eight rounds of a kilometre run, each followed by a functional strength exercise: SkiErg, Sled Push, Sled Pull, Burpee Broad Jump, Rowing, Farmers Carry, Sandbag Lunges and Wall Balls…
Bulking and cutting explained for bodybuilding, fitness, and martial arts
In the world of bodybuilding, fitness, and combat sports, you hear the terms ‘bulking’ and ‘cutting’ everywhere. This nutrition strategy, originally developed for competitive bodybuilders, is also widely used in combat sports such as BJJ, judo, MMA, and boxing. Both for achieving a specific weight class and for optimising strength and appearance…
Why team athletes need a unique nutrition strategy
As a hockey, football, or volleyball player, you've probably experienced feeling mentally and physically a little less sharp in the last twenty minutes of a match. Or perhaps you notice that you can't keep sprinting throughout the entire game as much as you'd like. It's likely that this isn't just down to your fitness, but also your nutrition...
What your body really needs during strength training
Weight training is a valuable part of their training schedule for many recreational athletes. Whether you're a martial artist wanting to build functional strength, a runner looking to prevent injuries, or simply someone who wants to stay healthy and strong. Weight training has benefits for everyone…
Endurance athlete? This is how to prevent an energy dip during your competition
Are you a recreational runner, cyclist or triathlete who has sometimes experienced an energy dip during a long training session or race? Then carbohydrate loading (also known as ‘carb loading’) can help you prevent this. This nutritional strategy, combined with taking it easy in the week before your important race, can ensure that you finish much stronger...
How the right sports nutrition takes your BJJ performance to the next level
As a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and a sports nutrition coach, I see how nutrition can make the difference between a good and a great training session. Drawing on my own experiences on the mats and my knowledge as a nutrition coach, I want to share how you can optimise your BJJ performance through smart food choices…
Get more out of every workout
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