Are you a competitive or endurance cyclist that wants to improve your performance?
Do you want to…
Make sure that you don’t run out of energy?
Know what types of food your body wants?
Know when you need to eat?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I can help.
I specialise in optimising nutrition for competitive or endurance cyclists, to help you to go faster and further by understanding ideal foods, portions and timings.
Hi and welcome!
How nutrition can help!
So you’re enjoying your cycling and are now competing, or maybe you just want to be able to cycle further and faster. Whatever the reason, nutrition and hydration can play a big part in helping you to achieve your sporting goals.
You may think that you are okay and don’t need to worry about what you eat and drink while you are riding, but have you ever experienced ‘hitting the wall’ where you have just run out of energy, or do you feel exhausted after a ride? If this happens, do you know what to do to help at the time or stop it happening in the future?
You may know that you need to have some carbohydrates for energy but that is only part of the story. Do you know how much, how often or what the best sources of carbohydrates are?
Hydration is another area that can sometimes be forgotten when you are out cycling, but not drinking enough can result in dehydration and a loss of performance. You may want to know how much do you need to drink or whether you can drink too much?
Do you know how to help your recovery - so important, particularly if you are riding the next day.
Like some of you reading this, I have been guilty of not drinking enough when riding and not always eating correctly. But I know that when I am fuelling correctly, I can ride further and faster and probably most important of all, I really enjoy the ride.
I believe in a food first approach, eating everyday foods where possible, to get your nutrition. With a little planning ahead, you will know how much you need to eat, the correct types of foods and when to eat. And don’t worry - you don’t need to have great cooking skills!
About me…
Like many people I learnt to ride a bike as a child and I continue to cycle today. As a child it was a means of getting around and meeting up with friends. This led to cycling holidays and now I cycle for fun, fitness and to challenge myself.
When I started riding with other cyclists, I noticed that people were getting very tired towards the end of a ride and questions were cropping up about a variety of nutritional problems connected with cycling and endurance sports.
I qualified as a dietitian in 2006 with a BSc (Hons) in Dietetics and initially worked for the NHS. During a career break, I became increasingly interested in sport and exercise, in particular endurance sports and the role that nutrition can play in helping individuals achieve their sporting goals. So, in 2019 I decided to return to practice as a dietitian and studied for an MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition and having qualified, I am now on the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR).
I use this knowledge in my own practice to provide tailored nutritional advice and support to individuals and groups to help them to improve their performance.
Why work with a dietitian?
There is plenty of advice on the internet nowadays but how do you know which is accurate? Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be regulated by law. As a dietitian, I am regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and am governed by an ethical code to make sure that I always work to the highest standard.
Athletes can have a variety of dietary and nutritional problems which may, or may not, be linked to clinical conditions. I keep up to date with scientific research into food, health and disease and translate this into practical guidance that can help you to make appropriate lifestyle and dietary choices.
Fun facts to get to know me!
Favourite mealtime
Definitely breakfast - homemade muesli and fresh fruit which sets me up for the day.
Biggest fear
Snakes! Thankfully there aren’t many in the UK.
Bucket list destination
Scotland. Despite living in the UK, I have only been to Scotland very briefly. I would love to go on a cycling holiday there to discover a bit more.
Tea or coffee?
Well I don’t mind either. If it’s coffee then I like a latte but I am equally happy with a Rooibus tea.
Best way to relax
Having a latte and a chat with family or friends in a local cafe.
Friday night drink
A glass of red wine.
Indoors or out?
Outdoors. I love to be outside cycling or walking my labrador Bertie.
Favourite place
Dartmoor in Devon on a lovely sunny day admiring the views.
Favourite sport to watch
Canoe slalom. Having had a go at this in the past I can appreciate how difficult it is - and it makes a great spectator sport!