When to use this
The first week after an injury takes an athlete out of training, when the instinct to eat less needs replacing with a healing plan.
- An athlete in a boot or brace who has quietly started skipping meals.
- Parents asking whether their injured runner should cut back because training dropped.
- Setting the fueling plan alongside the rehab plan at diagnosis.
Advanced lab
Healing-phase intake ranges
The sheet sets the mindset. The food-based ranges that keep healing supplied while training is down are here.
Ranges come from adult injury research, so individualize with the treating physician and a sports dietitian — especially if weight anxiety or restriction shows up alongside the injury.
Evidence sources
These references support the handout’s general education. Individual medical, supplement, laboratory, or injury questions should be handled by the appropriate qualified clinician.
- Tipton KD. Nutritional support for exercise-induced injuries. Sports Med. 2015.
- Close GL, Sale C, Baar K, Bermon S. Nutrition for the prevention and treatment of injuries in track and field athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019.
Where to go next
