At this moment, the chances are you have a dietary deficiency that's harming your health, hindering your recovery and holding you back in training. Even if you pop a multivitamin and get the recommended daily amount of vitamins and minerals, you're unlikely to be consuming enough...

One of the long-enduring and rarely questioned traditions associated with triathlon events of all kinds is the substantial pasta dinner the evening before race day. After all, who doesn't believe in the hearty, turbo-fuelling advantages of eating a

morning meal: the fat-phobic suggest skipping it until after your session; those planning a long session fuel up like builders; and those close to a race search for the perfect winning fuel.Whatever you're doing the idea is to keep your muscles

: protein, omega-3 fats, iron and zinc may be deficient if meat, poultry, fish and eggs are excluded. Add calcium to that list if milk and dairy foods are excluded. To ensure you're including enough of these vital nutrients, try the following

, this mineral stimulates taste, smell, appetite and mood. Lean beef also contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, while iron and vitamin B12 promote healthy red blood cells.Greek yoghurtAs well as containing double the amount of protein as regular yoghurt

. Not only do avocados contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fats but researchers at Ohio State University discovered that their phytochemicals can help prevent mouth cancer.2. GarlicThe pungent bulb is an enemy of cancer. But don't throw it straight

and follow these tips for effective refuelling in the build-up to your next race.The problem: You avoid fatty foodsMany triathletes are body conscious and try to eliminate fat from their diets. If you avoid foods such as red meat and dairy products, you

up. Fat reserves can therefore postpone or prevent a race-day collision with the notorious ‘wall’. Eat foods that are high in unsaturated fat, such as nuts or fish cooked in olive oil. Limit foods that are high in saturated fat, such as pizza and ice

to take it easy. Stay supple, sleep lots, and if it's a long race, bias your food towards carbohydrates and away from fats. The same level-headedness goes for race day. The more you plan - from what time you'll get up, to how fast you'll run your first

nausea or loss of appetite after training, or for convenience.8. Organise your routine of meals and snacks around your training timetable, to ensure adequate 24-hour recovery.9. Don't over-consume high-fat or high-protein foods at the expense