Research Highlight:
Check our recent editorial with Barca Innovation Hub and the key recommendations suggested for boosting both performance and sustainability.
This project was led by INTRA Managing Director, Mr James Collins and Research & Innovation Consultant Dr Alan McCall and brought together a team of experts within; sustainability, agriculture, nutrition and performance sciences.
The article "Nutrition in Football: It's Time To Help The Planet Win" emphasises the importance of incorporating sustainable practices into nutrition within elite football. It highlights how focusing on planetary health alongside player performance can contribute to a more sustainable future. The article discusses various strategies to reduce the environmental impact of the food system, such as consuming less animal-sourced foods, reducing food waste, and favoring local and seasonal produce. It also highlights how football clubs can influence their communities to adopt more sustainable eating habits.
Insights from Sustainable Football Nutrition
1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The 2030 UN SDGs provide a framework for a sustainable world, covering various aspects of human and planetary health. The food system is directly related to at least seven of these goals, making it crucial for football nutrition to align with these objectives for a sustainable future.
2. Reducing Environmental Impact
One major way to reduce the environmental impact of the food system is by consuming less animal-sourced foods, especially in developed countries. Other important strategies include reducing food loss and waste, cutting down on processed foods, and choosing local and seasonal produce to reduce food miles and avoid air freight.
3. Influence of Football Clubs
Football clubs have the power to influence eating habits that benefit both people and the planet. Encouraging a shift towards vegetarian diets can decrease greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use. Given the wide audience and following of the football community, these changes can really impact how everyone thinks about food and eating habits.
4. Plant-Based Proteins in Sports Nutrition.
Sports nutrition has traditionally gone for animal-based proteins because they’re seen as higher quality. However, recent research indicates that plant-based proteins can also effectively stimulate muscle protein synthesis. To get into plant-based proteins, it’s key to have support from sports nutrition professionals.
5. Cultural Responsiveness and Local Sourcing
With many expatriate players in elite teams, shorter supply chains and local sourcing should be prioritised. Clubs are encouraged to offer global cuisines using local ingredients.
The article calls for a shift in nutrition practices to always consider the environmental impact alongside player performance. It encourages clubs and federations to develop sustainability policies as part of their nutrition services and to educate and influence staff, players, and the wider community to promote sustainable eating habits.
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