Q. I want to practise my nutrition for race day but my trainer says I should wait until a few weeks before the race so I get the maximum benefit - is he right?A. It's imperative that you experiment during training to find out what will work best

Q. I know pasta's an old favourite, but is there an obvious choice for a meal the night before a race?A. The pre-race meal is a matter of individual choice and preference, but there are some factors to consider. The first important point is to eat

"When you're training, time is of the essence," says sports nutritionist Drew Price (drewprice.co.uk). "Nutrient timing is the secret weapon employed by professional athletes to fuel training and race day, and to support recovery. "Carbohydrate

also offer protection against some cancers.Red PotatoesThe humble - and let's be honest, it's not much to look at - potato has had a bad reputation in terms of nutrition because we have a habit of frying it in fat, covering it with cheese or mixing

with all the possible setbacks, such as having your goggles knocked off, losing your nutrition or getting a puncture. Also envisage how you think you'll feel at different stages of the race and prepare yourself for those feelings and be ready to overcome

When you're sidelined by injury your natural reaction should be to cut back on calories until it's time to return to training - and burning energy. But the healing process demands fuel, too. "It's like fixing a house," says sports dietitian Cynthia Sass. "A crack in the foundatio...

Q. I've had stomach issues when racing. I'm about to do an Ironman and am considering taking Imodium. Is this a bad idea?A. No. Between 20 and 40 per cent of all serious runners experience bowel problems when running. Anxiety and mechanical forces

time accordingly. Think about it: the swim leg accounts for roughly 10 per cent of your race, around 60 per cent of your time is spent on the bike and the remaining 30 per cent on the run. If you want to compete, rather than simply finish, you'll need

but wild rice is still packed with nutrition. It offers a hefty dose of potassium, which the body's muscles need to work properly and which is also vital for the nervous system. Wild rice is high in folic acid, which may offer some protection against heart

training day will be lower.Do this instead: Dr Ricardo Costa, a lecturer in dietetics and nutrition at Coventry University, explains that you'd be better off running faster: "After you run, your metabolism increases," he says."This continues for 24-48 hours