Preventing Bariatric Athletes From Having Dumping Syndrome on the Course

One of the main concerns that bring athletes to me is the nutritional management to prevents GI distress. Spending more time in the port-a-potties then on the course is something every athlete wants to avoid. Excess sugar intake in a given time is often the culprit. Yet, sports nutrition products are all primarily carbohydrates, and for good reason: carbohydrates are our bodies' preferred fuel source while exercising. Not only are bariathletes at risk for GI distress because of the typical 'hazards' of the sport, but many suffer from dumping syndrome, the surgical side effects of consuming too many carbohydrates. And eating high protein and high fat foods on the course will not provide any benefit. So, as a bariathlete what do you do?

One of the key training and nutritional strategies that can help eliminate GI distress encourages our bodies to burn more of its own nutrient stores (fat) for energy rather than relying on the foods we eat. It's about matching the fuel source and dose with the specific training regimen. Periodizing workouts and matching your foods to meet the specific demands of the workouts is key.

Some things to consider when you are training:

What's your season look like? This is an important question because your training is helping you meet your goals. Do you have one big race at the end of the year and smaller ones along the way? Or is each race throughout the year significant? How you train makes a big difference and it ensures that you are not getting burnt out or injured along the way. Not planning it out and periodizing your work outs can have you peaking too early or not even at all.

Have you periodized your workouts and do you know the goal of each phase? Training isn't just getting out there and doing it, nor is it simply the mileage that you put in. We have so many different systems that play a role in our fitness, we need to train each system. Periodization requires you to work on your aerobic and anaerobic systems as well as muscular strength and power. All of which plays a key role in you performance.

Do you know which system is being worked in each phase and what nutrients to give it and when? To really maximize your training, being able to feed your body the specific nutrients it needs at the specific time is key for optimal performance. When I say optimal performance, I am not just speaking to racing with a good time. In the area of working with bariathletes, this is crucial for overcoming the GI distress and dumping syndrome as well as bonking and fatigue. Optimal performance means you cross that finish line enlivened and energized without any of the cramping, the gas, or the port-a-pottie stops.