Our guest, Dina Griffin, holds a Masters of Science degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition and is a Registered Dietitian, Board Certified Sport Dietitian, and Certified Level II Metabolic Efficiency Training Specialist. Dina’s clientele includes adults of all ages and activity levels, from “off the couch” athletes to recreational and elite/professional endurance athletes including fitness enthusiasts, runners, ultrarunners, road and off-road cyclists, triathletes, and adventure racers. Dina has completed numerous marathons, ultrarunning races, short- and long-course triathlons, and cycling events to personally understand the nutrition challenges encountered by athletes.  Although she is based out of Boulder, Colo., she provides nutrition coaching for athletes nationwide and internationally through her services at eNRG Performance.

On this show we discuss:

* Whether there is a strong correlation between metabolic efficiency and an increase in athletic performance? Including, indirect ways performance may increase: body comp, gut health, etc.

* Can the argument be made that fat burning is less efficient for athletes and using carbs is superior?

* Hypothetical case studies: How would Dina approach individual carb/diet recommendations for athletes keeping their health needs in mind as well – e.g.

* Diet recs for a 20-something female athlete who misses periods here and there or full-on amenorrhea

* Diet recs for a 45-year-old male with a family history of diabetes and poor blood sugar regulation?

* Blood glucometers as a good tool – for certain people.

* A good example is Alex hutchinson’s article “Are Endurance Athletes More Susceptible To Getting Diabetes” which shows just how individual nutrition is for athletes on how it affects health!

* What is nutrition periodization?

* When it comes to nutrient timing and nutrition periodization, what are the biggest mistakes athletes make?

* Talking ketosis, specifically, exogenous ketones and the pros and cons of these plus what the science says, as well as Dina’s experience.

* The new study that came out that showed ketone supplements impaired high intensity exercise:

* Nutritional Ketone Salts Increase Fat Oxidation But Impair High-Intensity Exercise Performance

* How Dina typically guides fueling plans for ultrarunners and ultra athletes, including long-course triathlon?

* How her athlete at Leadville fueled for the 100-mile mountain bike race and her calories per hour.

* In addition to ME testing, eNRGperformance also offers other types of testing like non-invasive muscle testing, can you tell us what this does and why it’d be worthwhile to do it?

* Go to metabolicefficiency.org to find certified ME-certified coach in your area.