Your Winning Edge: Kelowna Counsellors and Nutritionists to Achieve Athletic Excellence

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Nutrition and Mental Health Matter for Athletes
3. The Role of Kelowna Nutritionists in Athletic Success
4. How Kelowna Counsellors Boost Athletic Mental Performance
5. The Synergy of Nutrition and Mental Health
6. Practical Tips for Athletes to Get Started
7. Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition Strategies
8. Mental Health Struggles and Strategies for Kelowna Atheletes
9. What Barriers Get in the Way of Following an Optimized Meal Plan
10. In Those Moments Where One Decision Is Made Over Another, Understanding Why “Optimal” and “Suboptimal” Choices Are Made
11. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Conclusion
13. If You Are Looking For A Kelowna Counsellor Or Nutritionist In Kelowna To Help With Sports Performance, Here Is Where To Find Us
14. References

Introduction

In Kelowna’s athletic community, achieving peak performance is a goal shared by hobbyist and professional athletes alike. While physical training is essential, the true edge lies in optimizing both nutrition and mental health. These often-overlooked pillars can make or break any athlete’s success, influencing energy levels, recovery, focus, and resilience under pressure.

At Health and Performance Nutrition Inc., Kelowna nutritionists craft personalized dietary plans to fuel the body for peak performance, while Kelowna counsellors at Unyielding Health & Wellness empower athletes to sharpen their mental game. This blog delves into how these health practitioners collaborate to help Kelowna athletes excel, offering evidence-based strategies to enhance endurance, concentration, and overall well-being.

Why Nutrition and Mental Health Matter for Athletes

Nutrition and mental health drive athletic success, as there are strong connections between the two that compound on one another (McCabe, Ketcham & Hall, 2021). A well-fuelled body, powered by a balanced intake of carbohydrates (45-65%), proteins (10-35%), and healthy fats (20-35%), provides the energy needed for gruelling workouts and rapid recovery.

Carbohydrates, found in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, help maintain blood glucose levels, ensuring high levels of energy for maximal efforts , faster energetic recovery between sets or shifts, and steady mental focus throughout exercise. Proteins, from sources like lean meats and legumes, repair muscle and connective tissues during rest and recovery.

While healthy fats, such as those high in Omega-3s (from fish and flaxseed) , reduce inflammation, support endurance exercise, and are crucial for brain and hormonal health. Meanwhile, mental resilience is equally critical. A 2016 study conducted by Rice et al. (2016) found that 46.4% of student athletes were experiencing symptoms of at least one mental health problem. This highlights that athletes are just as susceptible to mental health problems as the general population.

Kelowna therapists at Unyielding Health & Wellness use techniques like rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) to help athletes manage perfectionism, overcome performance anxiety, and maintain confidence. For Kelowna athletes, combining proper nutrition with mental health strategies creates a foundation for enduring success, enabling them to tackle both the physical and psychological challenges that come with sports, with confidence.

The Role of Kelowna Nutritionists in Athletic Success

Nutrition counselling in Kelowna at Health and Performance Nutrition Inc. is pivotal in elevating athletic performance through customized nutrition plans and athletic assessments. Sports nutritionists specialize in tailoring macronutrient ratios of the macro-nutrients, carbohydrates, proteins , and fats to match an athlete’s sport, goals, recovery, injury prevention, growth and development plus body composition goals.

Kelowna nutritionists also emphasize adequate hydration, before, during, and after workouts to prevent dehydration, which can impair cognitive and physical performance. They address challenges like emotional eating or under-fueling, which can sabotage performance and hormone levels, by creating meal plans that balance nutrient-dense foods with workout routines.

Additionally, nutritionists provide nutritional counselling to help educate athletes on nutrient timing, supplements, and recovery strategies ensuring optimal energy for training and recovery, making them indispensable partners in achieving athletic excellence (Martín-Rodríguez et al., 2024).

How Kelowna Counsellors Boost Athletic Mental Performance

Kelowna counsellors at Unyielding Health & Wellness help athletes build mental resilience, a critical component of athletic success. Athletes often report that they are hesitant to seek mental health support because of barriers like stigma, lack of service access, and negative past experiences (Brown, Quinton, Tidmarsh & Cumming, 2023).

Despite these hesitations, seeing a Kelowna therapist that specializes in sports performance can help athletes improve executive functioning during athletic, and life endeavours (Tóth, Turner, Mannion & Tóth, 2023). Through evidence-based techniques like REBT, Kelowna therapists help athletes overcome performance anxiety, enhance focus, and recover from setbacks. Kelowna counsellors also tackle specific challenges like burnout or loss aversion, where athletes fear failure more than they pursue success.

By fostering a mindset that embraces discomfort as a sign of effort and something worth pursuing, Unyielding Health & Wellness ensures athletes stay sharp, confident, and ready to perform, whether on the track, court, field, or off it.

The Synergy of Nutrition and Mental Health for Kelowna Athletes

For athletes in Kelowna, peak performance and mental resilience depend on the synergy between nutrition and mental health. Nutritionists provide evidence-based dietary strategies, while counsellors, address psychological barriers to optimize thoughts, behaviours, and emotions. See how this collaboration enhances athletic performance and well-being before, during, and after game day, empowering athletes to excel in sports and life.

Carbohydrates: Powering Performance and Focus

Carbohydrates fuel high-intensity training and cognitive function. Kelowna nutritionists recommend getting adequate carbohydrates prior to prolonged events to sustain glycogen stores and provide mental clarity during sport. Low carbohydrate intake impairs executive functioning which is critical for decisions like tracking opponents in volleyball.

Counsellors use REBT to counter irrational beliefs (e.g., “Carbs make me gain weight, I’ll never eat them”), promoting rational beliefs like “Carbs can fuel my success” to help athletes embrace carbohydrate-rich diets.

 Proteins: Building Strength and Resilience

 Proteins support muscle repair, hormones, and growth. Nutritionists in Kelowna recognise that insufficient protein hinders physical recovery and mental resilience, weakening executive functioning and leading to suboptimal decisions, like hesitating during a play.

Kelowna Counsellors address psychological barriers, such as perfectionism (“I can’t stand not socializing and partying with the team all weekend”), fostering rational beliefs like “We have more games in this tournament, protein supports my recovery and alcohol hinders it, I can socialize without alcohol some of the time even if it’s not my preference”.

Fats: Sustaining Energy and Emotional Balance

Healthy fats, like omega-3s from fish, provide long-term energy and reduce inflammation linked to anxiety and depression. Nutritionists in Kelowna recommend balanced fat intake (omega-6s and omega 3s) and to enjoy high-fat (omega-6) “Western” dietary staples in moderation, which impairs cognitive function and promotes inflammation.

Counsellors tackle irrational beliefs (e.g., “I only know how to cook food one way and I can’t handle learning a new way, I have too much going on”), promoting acceptance of healthy fats to support mood and focus, and the willingness to learn new cooking methods.

Water: Hydrating Body and Mind

Proper hydration is vital for physical performance and cognitive function, with nutritionists emphasizing sufficient amounts pre- and post-event and regular intake during activity to maintain focus and prevent fatigue. Dehydration impairs overall brain function in all respects, leading to poor decisions, like misjudging a play due to mental fog.

Counsellors in Kelowna address barriers like forgetfulness (“I don’t need to drink if I’m not thirsty”), thereby fostering habits that prioritize hydration.

Micronutrients: Enhancing Cognitive and Emotional Health

Micronutrients (minerals and vitamins) are crucial for brain health and mood regulation. Deficiencies, common due to poor dietary choices, increase risks of depression and cognitive decline.

Nutritionists design unique diets to meet needs of athletes. Counsellors address psychological barriers, like anxiety about body composition, encouraging nutrient-rich food choices that boost performance, confidence, and reduce mental health risks.

Meal Timing: Optimizing Energy and Mental Clarity

Strategic meal timing pre-event, during, and post-event maximizes energy and recovery. Poor timing impairs abilities, leading to suboptimal plays.

Kelowna Nutritionists can create meal schedules and help identify strategies like meal prepping, while counsellors address irrational beliefs (e.g., “I don’t have time to eat”), promoting disciplined eating habits.

Useful & Practical Tips for Athletes in Kelowna

Embarking on a nutrition and mental health regimen is achievable with guidance from Kelowna experts. Here are practical steps to begin:

1. Plan Meals Weekly: Dedicate Sunday to planning meals, ensuring a balance of carbs, proteins, and fats. Health and Performance Nutrition Inc. suggests preparing nutrient-dense options like quinoa bowls or grilled chicken with vegetables to avoid fast food reliance.
2. Stay Hydrated: Drink 2-3 cups of water 2-3 hours before and after workouts, and sip 1/2 to 1 cup every 15-20 minutes during exercise to maintain energy and focus, as advised by Kelowna nutritionists.
3. Practice Mindfulness: Spend 5-10 minutes daily visualizing yourself performing well, and examine the thoughts and emotions that come up during that time, and reflect on daily habits that leave you feelings and thinking in self-helping ways as, recommended by Unyielding Health & Wellness, to reduce stress and enhance mental clarity.
4. Set Small, Achievable Goals: Start with simple targets, like adding one serving of leafy greens daily or journaling three positive affirmations, to build momentum.
5. Track Progress: Keep a journal to monitor how dietary and mental health changes impact performance, helping identify patterns of what works best for your body and mind, and what doesn’t.
6. Seek Professional Guidance: Consult a Kelowna nutritionist for tailored meal plans or a Kelowna counsellor for mental health strategies to address sport-specific needs.

Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition Strategies

Strategic nutrition before and after workouts maximizes performance during and recovery after sport. Kelowna nutrition counsellors at Health and Performance Nutrition Inc. offers these evidence-based strategies supported by Thomas, Erdman & Burke (2016):

Pre-Workout Nutrition:

Carbohydrate Loading:

This is generally reserved for sport events exceeding 90 minutes, as events taking place over less time than this diminishes the importance of this step, but can still be of value. Carbohydrate loading involves consuming 7–12 g/kg body weight of carbohydrates daily for 24–48 hours before a prolonged event to maximize glycogen stores.

Having glycogen stores topped off prior to an endurance or high-intensity activity enhances energy levels throughout the performance by releasing blood sugar. When one’s energy remains elevated, this facilitates both their aptitude and mental focus being sustained.

Example: A 70 kg athlete should aim for 490–840 g of carbohydrates (e.g., rice, pasta, bread, fruits) spread across meals and snacks, combined with reduced training intensity (tapering). Tapering will help ensure that the glycogen you are trying to stockpile is not being used up during training and is there on the big day.

Pre-Workout Meal/Snack:

Having a Pre-Workout Meal/Snack 1–4 hours before helps ensure those glycogen stores are topped off, and that there is a readily available supply of blood sugar already circulating. Eat a meal or snack providing 1–4 g/kg carbohydrates, low in fat, fiber, and moderate in protein to minimize gastrointestinal discomfort.

Example: For a 70 kg athlete, consume 70–280 g carbohydrates (e.g., a bagel with jam, a banana, or a sports drink) 1–4 hours prior.

Hydration:

Hydration preparation is crucial as well. Drink 5–10 ml/kg body weight of fluid (water or electrolyte-containing drink) 2–4 hours before exercise to achieve pale yellow (optimally hydrated urine). Doing so helps ensure starting exercise well hydrated and , reduces the risk of performance impairments and injury from dehydration.

Example: A 70 kg athlete should drink 350–700 ml of water or a sodium-containing beverage .

Protein:

Protein inclusion is optional as during the activity you will be primarily using blood sugar or ketones to provide energy. However, including a small amount of high-quality protein (0.25–0.3 g/kg) in the pre-workout meal if tolerated can have positive effects. Including protein may help stabilize blood sugar throughout the activity and support muscle protein synthesis during exercise and ramp to high levels of protein synthesis sooner after exercise.

Example: For a 70 kg athlete, add 17–21 g protein (e.g., Greek yogurt or a protein shake) to the pre-workout meal.

Post-Workout Nutrition

Carbohydrate Replenishment:

Building back energy stores, i.e., muscle  glycogen, is crucial, especially if you expect to  to perform similarly in a subsequent game that day or next. Consume 1–1.2 g/kg/h of carbohydrates for 4–6 hours post-exercise to restore muscle glycogen, ideally starting within approximately 30 minutes after exercise. Doing so maximizes glycogen resynthesis, where speed of recovery is critical, especially with multiple sessions in a day (like a tournament, or competition).

Example: A 70 kg athlete should aim for 70–84 g carbohydrates per hour (e.g., a sports drink, rice, fruit, or a recovery bar).

Protein for Muscle Repair:

Using your muscles wears on them, but also helps them to grow given the right protein building blocks. Ingest 0.25–0.3 g/kg of high-quality protein within2 hours after exercise, ideally with carbohydrates. This stimulates muscle protein synthesis and supports muscle repair and exercise adaptation.

Example: For a 70 kg athlete, consume 17–21 g protein (e.g., a whey protein shake, lean chicken, or eggs) with a carbohydrate source.

Rehydration Strategy:

Drink 1.25–1.5 L of fluid per kg of body weight lost during exercise, including sodium-containing fluids or foods to aid water retention. Combining water with proper ratios of electrolytes helps restore fluid balance and prevents diuresis (excessive peeing), ensuring optimal recovery.

Example: If a 70 kg athlete loses 1 kg, consume 1.25–1.5 L of a sports drink or water with a salty snack (e.g., pretzels).

Avoid Excessive Alcohol:

Lots of people like to celebrate a win or forget about a loss with alcohol. However, if there are still games to be had at the tournament and you want to continue performing at your best, minimize or avoid alcohol consumption altogether post-workout, opting instead for non-alcoholic recovery beverages. Alcohol impairs everything discussed above: glycogen replenishment, rehydration, and muscle protein synthesis, which ultimately delays recovery.

Example: Choose a protein shake or chocolate milk over beer or wine.

Mental Health Struggles and Strategies for Athletes

The core principle of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is that our emotions and behaviors stem from goal-related events, and the nature of these emotions and behaviors, whether adaptive or maladaptive (self-helping or self-defeating) depends on the beliefs we hold about these events.

REBT operates within the ABCDEF framework, where emotional and behavioral consequences (C) arise from rational or irrational beliefs (B) about adversities (A, tied to our goals). A key aspect of REBT involves recognizing irrational beliefs, which are then challenged (D) and replaced with effective, rational beliefs (E) that are reinforced over time, which eventually lead to (F) Functional, rational new beliefs. Irrational beliefs are characterized by rigid, extreme, and illogical thinking, leading to unhealthy negative emotions and unproductive behaviors.

In contrast, rational beliefs are flexible, moderate, and logical, fostering healthy negative emotions and constructive behaviors that support goal attainment. 

With this in mind, here are five common mental health struggles athletes have and some examples of how REBT with a Kelowna counsellor would help an athlete. The work between a counsellor and athletic client would be quite nuanced. The processing and dialogue takes place as the client and counsellor discuss the client’s concerns in depth, and will not be as clear cut and refined as these examples.

Every person will experience thoughts and emotions differently and come to their own realizations in differing amounts of time given the context of their life.

Competitive Anxiety

Activating Event (A): An athlete is preparing for a high-stakes championship race and faces intense pressure to perform well to secure a spot on the national team.

Irrational Belief (B): “I must win this race, or I’m a complete failure as an athlete.”

Consequence (C): Unhealthy negative emotion: debilitating anxiety. Unproductive behavior: overthinking during the race, leading to hesitation and poor performance.

Disputing (D): Challenge the irrational belief by asking, “Why must I win? Is it realistic to equate my worth as an athlete to one race outcome? What evidence supports the idea that losing makes me a failure?”

Effective New Belief (E): “I want to win this race, but not winning doesn’t define my worth. I can learn from any outcome and improve for future races.”

Functional, Rational New Belief (F): Reinforced through practice: “My value as an athlete lies in my effort and growth, not just in winning.” This belief reduces anxiety, promotes focus, and encourages consistent training, fostering healthy concern (a manageable negative emotion) and constructive preparation behaviors.

Perfectionism

Activating Event (A): An athlete misses a personal best in a training session and feels they’ve failed to meet their high standards.

Irrational Belief (B): “I must perform perfectly every time, or I’m a failure and will never succeed.”

Consequence (C): Unhealthy negative emotion: intense frustration and self-criticism. Unproductive behavior: overtraining to “fix” the imperfection, risking injury.

Disputing (D): Challenge the belief: “Is perfection necessary for success? Can I still progress as an athlete with occasional setbacks? What evidence shows that imperfection equals failure?”

Effective New Belief (E): “I aim for excellence, but it’s okay to have off days. Mistakes are opportunities to learn and improve.”

Functional, Rational New Belief (F): Reinforced through reflection and coaching: “Progress, not perfection, drives my growth as an athlete.” This promotes healthy disappointment (a manageable emotion) and constructive analysis of performance gaps.

Depression

Activating Event (A): An athlete suffers a season-ending injury, preventing them from competing in a major event.

Irrational Belief (B): “This injury means I’ll never achieve my goals, and my athletic career is over.”

Consequence (C): Unhealthy negative emotion: deep despair and hopelessness. Unproductive behavior: withdrawing from teammates and neglecting rehabilitation.

Disputing (D): Question the belief: “Does this injury truly end my career, or is recovery possible? Have other athletes overcome similar setbacks? What can I control now?”

Effective New Belief (E): “This injury is a setback, but with rehabilitation and patience, I can work toward my goals again.”

Functional, Rational New Belief (F): Reinforced through therapy and support: “I can focus on recovery and new opportunities to grow as an athlete.” This fosters healthy sadness (a manageable emotion) and proactive engagement in rehabilitation.

Burnout

Activating Event (A): An athlete feels exhausted after months of intense training and competition without adequate rest.

Irrational Belief (B): “I must keep pushing myself without rest, or I’ll fall behind and never achieve my goals.”

Consequence (C): Unhealthy negative emotion: overwhelming fatigue and resentment. Unproductive behavior: reduced effort in training and disengagement from the sport.

Disputing (D): Challenge the belief: “Is relentless training without rest sustainable? Can rest improve my performance? What evidence shows rest leads to falling behind?”

Effective New Belief (E): “Rest is part of my training plan and helps me perform better in the long run.”

Functional, Rational New Belief (F): Reinforced through periodized training: “Balancing training and recovery maximizes my performance and passion for the sport.” This promotes healthy fatigue (a manageable emotion) and constructive rest strategies (e.g., planned recovery days).

Identity Crisis

Activating Event (A): An athlete, who has defined themselves primarily as a star performer in their sport, faces a career-threatening injury or retirement, leading to uncertainty about their role and self-worth outside of athletics.

Irrational Belief (B): “I must be defined by my athletic success, and without it, I am nothing and have no value.”

Consequence (C): Unhealthy negative emotion: profound feelings of worthlessness and confusion about self-identity. Unproductive behavior: withdrawing from social connections, avoiding new activities, or neglecting recovery efforts due to a sense of hopelessness.

Disputing (D): Challenge the irrational belief by asking, “Is my entire identity solely tied to being an athlete? Can I have value in other roles or pursuits? What evidence suggests I’m worthless without athletic success? Have others found meaning after retiring from sports?”

Effective New Belief (E): “Being an athlete is an important part of who I am, but I can also find value and purpose in other areas of life, like coaching, education, or personal relationships.”

Functional, Rational New Belief (F): Reinforced through exploration of new roles and self-reflection: “My worth is multifaceted, and I can grow and contribute in many ways beyond my athletic achievements.” This fosters healthy sadness or concern about the transition (manageable emotions) and constructive behaviors, such as engaging in rehabilitation, exploring new career paths, or building non-athletic skills.

What Barriers Get in the Way of Following an Optimized Meal Plan

Optimizing nutrition is essential for athletes to enhance performance, support recovery, and achieve body composition goals. However, even with access to evidence-based guidelines, athletes across various sports face numerous barriers that hinder their ability to follow an optimized meal plan.

Drawing from a 2021 study on elite athletes in New Zealand (Sharples et al., 2021), this section explores the key barriers that hinder athletes from adhering to dietary recommendations. Understanding these obstacles can guide athletes, coaches, and sports nutritionists in developing strategies to overcome them.

Limited Nutrition Knowledge at Developmental Levels

The study found that athletes at developmental or semi-professional levels often lack sufficient sport-specific nutrition knowledge compared to fully professional athletes. This knowledge gap leads to suboptimal dietary choices, such as favoring low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets that may not align with the high carbohydrate recommendation for fueling performance and recovery.

Impact: Without access to Kelowna nutritionists, less experienced athletes are more likely to seek nutrition information from unreliable sources like social media or peers, which can promote ineffective or harmful dietary practices.

Body Composition Pressures

Body composition goals, such as reducing body fat or achieving a specific weight, were identified as both a motivator and a barrier.

Impact: The pressure to meet individualized body composition targets can drive athletes to prioritize short-term weight loss over balanced nutrition, potentially compromising energy availability and long-term health.

Childhood Upbringing and Dietary Habits

The study highlighted that childhood upbringing significantly influences adult dietary habits. Food choices were often dictated by cost and availability, leading to reliance on inexpensive, nutrient-poor foods like bread and noodles. These habits, such as skipping meals or overeating treats when available, often persist into adulthood. 

Impact: Early dietary patterns can make it challenging to adopt the structured, nutrient-dense meal plans required for elite performance.

Time Constraints and Poor Organizational Skills

Time management was a significant barrier. Elite athletes often train extensively while balancing work, study, and/or family commitments, leaving little time for meal planning or preparation. Many reported shopping daily rather than weekly, increasing the likelihood of choosing convenient, processed foods as well as spending more money. 

Impact: Lack of meal planning can lead to missed meals or reliance on high-fat, high-sugar options, undermining the consistent carbohydrate and protein intake needed for glycogen restoration and muscle repair.

 Food Security and Cost

Food insecurity and the cost of healthy foods were notable barriers, particularly for non-professional athletes. Financial constraints limited access to nutrient-dense foods, with athletes reporting reliance on affordable but suboptimal options. 

Impact: Limited budgets can prevent athletes from meeting the high energy and nutrient demands of their sport.

Health and Performance Nutrition Inc. helps athletes overcome these barriers by enhancing nutrition education and understanding, teaching affordable meal-prep strategies, and/ or creating quick, nutrient-dense snacks.

Experts in Kelowna Nutrition counselling also emphasize planning meals to align with weekly schedules, ensuring athletes stay fuelled without breaking the bank. As athletes gain greater nutritional knowledge and positive attitudes toward healthy eating, their mental resilience has been shown to increase (Özsarı, et al., 2024). This is important for our final section on optimal decision making and executive functioning.

In Those Moments Where One Decision Is Made Over Another, Understanding Why “Optimal” and “Suboptimal” Choices Are Made

In critical sports moments, athletes face split-second decisions that can define a game’s outcome, such as choosing a defensive position or passing to a teammate. These decisions, whether optimal or suboptimal, depend on cognitive processes called executive functions (EFs), updating, inhibition, and shifting.

A study  by (Cao, He, Miao, & Chi, 2024)highlights how these EFs, alongside psychological and nutritional factors, influence decision-making quality. Beyond game day, these factors affect athletes’ daily lives, impacting training, relationships, and personal growth.

Executive Functions involved in Decision-Making include:

Updating: Dynamically integrating new information, like tracking a ball’s trajectory or prioritizing tasks in a busy schedule.

Inhibition: Suppressing distractions, such as ignoring crowd noise or resisting social media scrolling during study time.

Shifting: Flexibly adapting strategies, like adjusting to an opponent’s move or switching between work and family responsibilities.

Optimal decisions occur when athletes effectively engage all three components of Executive functioning, the results do not have to be perfect, but they are likely satisfying enough that you are at least okay with the results if you aren’t pleased or thrilled.

Suboptimal decisions stem from cognitive or external challenges:

Novice Limitations: Novices’ failure to transfer EFs to sports contexts leads to errors, like misjudging a play, or poor life decisions, like neglecting nutrition due to inexperience.

Cognitive Overload: Multitasking overwhelms EFs, causing missed game cues or mismanaging daily responsibilities, like forgetting appointments.

Distractions: Weak inhibition results in susceptibility to distractions, leading to rushed game choices or succumbing to social pressures in life because of people pleasing tendencies or a lack of assertiveness with boundaries.

In General Life: These barriers manifest as procrastination, poor time management, or emotional overwhelm, hindering athletes’ ability to maintain consistent training, dietary regimes, relationships, or personal growth.

Psychological Factors: Irrational beliefs (e.g., “Mistakes make me a failure”) impair EFs by increasing stress, reducing game focus or causing self-criticism in daily setbacks. Rational beliefs (e.g., “Mistakes are learning opportunities”) enhance decision accuracy and foster confidence in life challenges.

Nutritional Factors: Low carbohydrate intake reduces energy availability, impairing EFs and game clarity, while also causing fatigue in daily tasks. Time constraints and food insecurity limit nutrient-dense food access, affecting cognitive and physical performance in training and life. If your brain is not nourished well, it will not function optimally.

Optimal decisions in sports and life depend on robust executive functioning, supported by rational thinking and proper nutrition. Suboptimal choices arise from cognitive overload, weak EFs, irrational beliefs, or nutritional deficits.

By training EFs, adopting rational beliefs, and maintaining evidence-based nutrition, athletes can enhance decision-making in critical game moments and daily challenges, ensuring success on and off the field. Nutritionists & counsellors in Kelowna provide tailored support for both domains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can A Kelowna Nutritionist Transform My Athletic Performance?
Absolutely! Nutrition counselling Kelowna experts at Health and Performance Nutrition Inc. create personalized plans to boost energy, speed recovery, and enhance endurance for any sport.

How Can A Kelowna Counsellor Help Me Stay Calm Under Competition Pressure?
Kelowna therapists at Unyielding Health & Wellness use REBT, CBT, mindfulness and visualization to help you reduce anxiety, sharpen focus, and build mental resilience for high-stakes moments.

What’s The Ultimate Pre-Workout Meal For A Kelowna Athlete?
A carb-protein combo like a peanut butter and banana sandwich or oatmeal with fruit, recommended by Health and Performance Nutrition Inc., fuels muscles and sustains energy.

Why Do I Crave Junk Food During Stressful Training Periods, And How Can I Stop?
Stress triggers dopamine-seeking behaviour, leading to sugar cravings. Kelowna counsellors and nutritionists help reframe cravings and plan healthy, sustaining snacks like nuts and fruit.

How Does Gut Health Impact My Mental Performance As An Athlete?
The gut-brain axis links diet to mood. Nutrition counselling Kelowna experts recommend probiotics like yogurt or kefir to support mental clarity and reduce anxiety.

Is Investing In A Kelowna Therapist Worth It For Sports Performance?
Definitely! Mental resilience is a key factor to overcoming setbacks, and Kelowna counsellors at Unyielding Health & Wellness offers tailored strategies you can use to keep you confident and focused.

Conclusion

For Kelowna athletes, achieving excellence demands a holistic approach that integrates nutrition and mental health alongside physical training. Kelowna nutritionists at Health and Performance Nutrition Inc. provide tailored dietary plans to fuel the body, ensuring optimal energy, recovery, and endurance.

Simultaneously, Kelowna counsellors at Unyielding Health & Wellness empower athletes with mental resilience strategies to conquer anxiety, maintain focus, and recover from setbacks. By starting with small steps, whether it be weekly meal planning, daily mindfulness, and/ or professional guidance, athletes can stive to overcome barriers and make optimal choices. This synergy of body and mind creates a winning edge, enabling Kelowna athletes to push their limits, reach their full potential, and aspire towards their goals.

Consider embracing these strategies and/ or partnering with local experts as you pursue your passion for sport, both on and off the field.

Written by Timothy Lamont C.C.C & Kelly Anne Erdman MSc, RD, OLY