Coaches Guide to Nutrition: What are Electrolytes?
January 14, 2025
Electrolytes are essential minerals that come in the form of sodium, calcium, chloride, potassium, phosphate and magnesium.
They help maintain fluid balance, regulate muscle contractions, and promote healthy brain activity.
Did You Know: An athlete can lose up to two pounds of sweat (or more) after exercising? That is equivalent to 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium and 20 mg calcium (all of which are found in chocolate milk).
Encourage your athletes to refuel and rehydrate those lost electrolytes with chocolate milk (a.k.a. Nature’s Sports Drink). This can help reduce the risk of stress fractures and muscle cramping.
Information above is excerpted from UDIM’s A Coach’s Guide to Nutrition.
Fuel Up for Daytime Fasting with Proper Nutrition, Hydration
February 17, 2026
Some athletes follow periods of daytime fasting for personal or religious reasons, such as Ramadan. Fasting from dawn to sunset requires thoughtful planning around nutrition and hydration. With adjustments to meal timing and fluid intake, athletes can continue to support their training, performance, and recovery while observing the fast.
Eating a balanced meal before dawn helps provide sustained energy throughout the day. Including a mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats can help fuel muscles and promote fullness.
When breaking fast, athletes should focus on prioritizing complex carbohydrates for energy, along with protein and healthy fats to help the body recover and prepare for the next day’s activity.
Hydration during non-fasting hours is also key, and fluids should be consumed throughout the evening rather than all at once.
With careful planning around meals, fluids, and nutrient balance, athletes can successfully navigate fasting while maintaining strength, endurance, and overall performance.
Click: Practical nutrition & hydration guidance for athletes who observe daytime fasting, such as Ramadan.
