Athletes need coaches in the kitchen too

Athletes’ training regimes extend far beyond the pitch, track or ski run. They have a unique relationship with food, too. This is not just a matter of loading up on pasta and protein shakes. For those at the top of their game, every morsel is carefully balanced to optimise performance.

But while you may think that athletes are among the healthiest of humans, certain factors actually make them more susceptible to foodborne illnesses.

We know that regular moderate exercise is associated with a reduced risk of catching infections, including the common cold. But continuous, prolonged, and high intensity training, or strenuous exercise, can cause a temporary post-exercise immune dysfunction. This “open window” can last for up to 24 hours after exercise, and makes athletes susceptible to all kinds of infections.

Other areas of an athlete’s lifestyle can impact their health in a similar way. They may be exposed to new pathogens during foreign travel, for example. Lack of sleep and mental stress can also impact the functioning of their immune systems.

Combine these factors with a bout of food poisoning and the results have the potential to be devastating. Although symptoms are often...