carbohydrate needs of athletes

Using different terminology to educate athletes about their carbohydrate intake goals interferes at times with the interpretation of studies on carbohydrate and sports performance, and may cause athletes to have their diets unfairly criticized.  Nutrition guidelines for the community express carbohydrate intake goals in terms of the percentage of energy that should be consumed from carbohydrate.  This works because the message is general and the emphasis is on a relative change in fat and carbohydrate consumption.   When the muscle fuel needs of an athlete are moderate, adequate carbohydrate intake should be provided by a diet that meets these guidelines for healthy eating.  In most Western countries this message is to increase carbohydrate intake to at least 50-55% of energy.