SUPPLEMENTS 101 | Who, Where, When, Why & How of Performance Supplements with Shawn Hueglin

Athletes often show interest in sport supplements but struggle to find good information to educate them on the appropriateness of their use or how to fuel safely for performance. Dr. Shawn Hueglin, Senior Sport Dietitian for the USOPC, shares with athletes, coaches, and parents some basics around understanding common supplements, in an unregulated market, and how to evaluate whether they should be used based on the athlete’s current physical needs. Hueglin emphasizes the need to evaluate the volume of activity/training an athlete undergoes, to understand any deficiencies in macronutrients or minerals with professional consultation, to heavily interrogate the ingredients in supplements, and to experiment with natural alterations to the athlete diet before looking into supplements. 00:00 - Are Supplements Right for Young Athletes? 00:56 - The ""Food First"" Philosophy 03:40 - Nutrition for Growth & Maturation 06:32 - Where to Find Expert Advice 08:04 - Dietary vs. Performance Supplements 11:01 - How to Spot Supplement Red Flags 13:52 - Final Advice: Consistency is Key