As Wales get ready to face France on Saturday, what they are eating will be of crucial importance on the field. It is a myth that lots of high protein food, such as steak and eggs, will give the energy needed for at least 80 minutes play.  Instead, Welsh rugby players need to eat a carbohydrate-rich breakfast and a light pre-match brunch to give essential energy to muscles.

Registered Sport and Exercise Nutritionists (SENr) and Sports Dietitians advise athletes, coaches and their teams on the ideal way to eat and drink to get the best performance. Their advice is based on the needs of each individual athlete. Athletes are given an informed choice on the use of various supplements. Enjoyable foods and meals, such as the examples below, can often provide similar nutrients to supplements. Dietitians and Sports and Exercise Nutritionists do not sell nutritional supplements and do not have a commercial interest in promoting them. In contrast, Nutritional Therapists, who have different qualifications, sometimes have their own range of supplements to promote to rugby teams.

Athletes and coaches who wish to use a Registered Sports and Exercise Nutritionist (SENr) can check the Sports and Exercise Nutrition register (www.senr.org.uk), due to be formally launched on December 1st in London. The SENr has a strict Professional Code of Conduct and Quality Assurance mechanisms to ensure public protection.

New SDUK Fact Sheet written by Jane Griffin. Read more about the nutritional demands of rugby union by visiting the Resources section of our website and clicking on the link for Sports Specific Fact sheets 

Find out more about the nutritional demands of swimming, cricket and triathlon with our new sports specific factsheets written by Registered Sports Dietitians