Frequently Asked Questions

Is nutrition advice only for athletes?

Of course not! At IntensEATfit our primary goal is to provide balanced and sustainable food that helps people achieve their peak performance, not only during training or competition but also in life.

Everyone can benefit from the nutrition principles we promote at IntensEATfit, regardless of their level of physical activity.

What is sports nutrition?

Sports nutrition is a specific area of nutrition that focuses on improving athletic performance in the individual. This improvement in performance is achieved through:

  • Providing the energy and nutrients needed to make training more efficient.
  • Planning an appropriate nutritional strategy so that you know what to eat before, during and after a sporting event.
  • Improving body composition (increase muscle mass, decrease body fat) to increase energy efficiency when active.

What benefits do I get from following a nutrition plan?

In addition to making the most of your training and competition, a nutrition plan can help you meet the following goals:

  • Reduce the risk of injury
  • Strengthen the immune system
  • Increase muscle mass
  • Reduce body fat
  • Increase daytime performance
  • Support optimal rest and recovery
  • Improve hydration

Do you recommend using supplements?

There are a wide variety of supplements that claim to provide all kinds of benefits. At IntensEATfit we make sure to include only supplements with sufficient scientific evidence that validates both their efficacy and safe use as part of your nutrition program. This is because your health is our number one priority.

What if I cancel my IntensEATfit appointment?

At IntensEATfit we fully understand that unforeseen events may occur and circumstances beyond your reach need to change your appointment. Don’t worry! All we ask is that you give us 24 hours notice, otherwise we will have to charge 50% of the cost of your appointment.

How often are follow-up consultations recommended?

The frequency of appointments will depend on the goal you're looking to achieve. However, the general recommendation at IntensEATfit is that you book your appointment every month, especially if changing your body composition is within your goals.

What is body composition?

Although weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) remain the most widely used measures, looking at body composition is the most useful method for understanding what percentage of that weight is body fat and how much is fat-free mass. Knowing these values helps determine whether the current weight is considered healthy and whether there is a need for change.

In some sports, increasing muscle mass is important while in others, decreasing fat is important. For some of us, the reasons for increasing muscle mass and/or decreasing fat are aimed at health and aesthetic goals. Knowing body composition can help set realistic goals and measure progress when you want to make these changes.

How can I measure my changes in body composition?

One of the most recommended and accessible methods is the use of anthropometry with skin folds but it is important that someone certified performs them and that preferably they are always performed by the same person to avoid variation. Gaby Villa is a certified anthropometrist level 2. These measurements are included as part of each of the consultations at IntensEATfit.

Len Hartley

Previously during Ironman distance events I had issues with hydration and fuelling resulting in a few subpar performances on the run. After speaking to a few other triathletes as well as my coach I decided to contact Gaby at IntensEATfit to get help in identifying and solving these issues to improve my overall performance. While working with Gaby we uncovered that I wasn’t fueling my training sessions well enough, I wasn’t practicing fueling through training enough to condition my stomach to take onboard the required amount of carbs and through testing that my fluid and salt loss was well above average. 

Gaby was great at explaining how these things impact my performance and it was a surprise to find out exactly how much carbohydrate and fluids it takes to successfully fuel and Ironman training & racing. Gaby instilled the importance in training nutrition, and we worked on my nutrition plan weekly allowing my body to get used to the amount of carbs it was taking on board, optimizing the plan to get the best result. This enabled one of the best training blocks I have completed and set me up for a great race in Cairns where I had a strong run to PB by over 10 mins on a challenging course.