Navigating the World of Sports Supplements: Tips from the Pros
If you’re into fitness or love attending our Denver indoor cycling classes, you’ve probably wondered whether sports supplements are worth the hype. While nothing beats real food when it comes to fueling your body and recovering after spin workouts, supplements can sometimes give you that extra edge—if you choose the right ones. Taylor Wesely, a registered dietitian, and founder of Radiate Nutrition, has some great advice on how to pick supplements wisely.
Why Real Food Should Always Come First
Before we dive into supplements, let’s get one thing straight: real food is where it’s at. Taylor is a big advocate for putting real food before even thinking about adding supplements in. Supplements aren’t vital for a great spin workout, but the food you put into your body is. Before you reach for that protein powder, make sure your diet is packed with fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Also, don’t forget to keep your hydration levels up. Staying hydrated is crucial for getting the most of your workout and for maintaining your overall health; it’s responsible for aiding in digestion, nutrient absorption, and body temperature regulation (along with many other important bodily functions!)
The Need for Third-Party Testing
Okay, so your diet is on point, but you still need a little extra something to your workout routine. Enter: supplements. Where do you even start? Well, one thing is for certain–you’ll need to make sure to look for third-party testing when you’re researching which supplements to take. There’s a real risk of adulteration in the supplement industry, meaning some products might not contain what they say they do, or worse, could have harmful ingredients. A good rule of thumb is to look for is the “NSF Certified for Sport” label. This means the supplement has been tested for both quality and safety.
What Supplements Should I Try?
The short answer is “it depends”. Everyone’s fitness goals and regimen differ from one another, so choosing the right ones to take is a very personalized decision – make sure to speak with your nutritionist and your doctor before starting any new supplements.
The long answer is this: when speaking with your nutritionist or doctor, it never hurts to come fully prepared with research on supplements you’re wanting to try. There are three supplements that are particularly popular in the sports medicine world, according to doctor Robert Westermann, an orthopedic surgeon with University of Iowa Sports Medicine: daily creatine monohydrate, magnesium, and glycine. All three have had the most extensive research done backing them regarding their safety and efficacy for athletic performance. Vitamin D is also a supplement to consider – while Denver receives a stunning 300 days of sunshine, if you work an indoor job and/or have trouble making time to get outside, it can be difficult to get all the Vitamin D you need to feel your best.
What to Watch Out For
Not all supplements are created equally. Some have ingredients that can do more harm than good. Taylor suggests avoiding anything with artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, or super high doses of caffeine. These can seriously mess with your health—think anxiety, digestive issues, or even heart problems.
In addition, make sure that you’re not relying on supplements to be the sole driver of your fitness journey’s success. There’s no substitute for proper training, nutrition, and hydration! Supplements should be seen as the cherry that goes on top of all these key steps.
Personalized Nutrition for Your Goals
Exploring supplements is a journey that many of our riders like to consider. Let’s be honest – there’s nothing like a nutrition plan that’s tailored just for you. Taylor and her team at Radiate Nutrition specialize in creating personalized nutrition plans that help you hit your fitness goals. If you’re curious about how to incorporate supplements into your routine—or if you want to focus on real food first—Taylor’s your go-to expert.
Interested in learning more? Taylor offers exclusive discounts on her nutrition coaching services, so you can get the personalized advice you need to take your fitness game to the next level.
