What is a Sports Nutritionist?
If you’re serious about maximizing energy, endurance, and body composition—whether you’re a competitive athlete, a busy professional, or anyone focused on peak wellness—a sports nutritionist can be your secret advantage. Unlike general dietitians, sports nutritionists specialize in optimizing the body’s metabolic potential through sports-specific meal plans, macronutrient strategies, and data-driven interventions that align directly with your training goals and performance metrics.
Chase peak performance with our team of Burlington Naturopaths — integrating advanced Naturopathic Wellness Programs and science-backed Athletic Performance Programs for athletes and high achievers. Contact us today to elevate your game.
Difference between a sports nutritionist and a general dietitian
While both professionals share a foundation in nutrition science, a sports nutritionist goes deeper into performance-based metrics. They focus on fueling athletic output, enhancing recovery, managing hydration strategies, and tailoring caloric intake to training intensity and goal-specific body composition. Certified sports nutritionists at Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic understand the granular needs of your sport—whether it’s endurance, strength, or power-based—and coach accordingly.
Who benefits from sports nutrition services?
The scope goes far beyond elite athletes. Recreational athletes, youth athletes, biohackers, individuals recovering from injury, and even corporate professionals seeking more energy and mental clarity can benefit from structured guidance. If you’re experiencing fatigue, brain fog, or plateaus in fitness, it’s often rooted in nutrition. A personalized approach to dietary planning and nutrient absorption can jumpstart breakthroughs in well-being and performance.
“Performance nutrition is not just for elite athletes. It’s for anyone aiming to thrive.” — Dr. Callum Cowan
Scope of practice and collaboration with trainers/physicians
At Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic in Burlington, sports nutritionists are part of an integrated care model. They collaborate closely with functional medicine doctors, strength coaches, and physicians to co-create a roadmap to optimal health. This synergy ensures that every nutrition protocol supports broader medical and athletic objectives, powering long-term results safely and effectively.
Whether you’re leveling up your sport or reclaiming your energy, sports nutrition offers a results-driven path to optimal performance.
Why Sports Nutrition is Critical for Athletes
In the world of high performance, what you eat can make or break your results. Whether you’re focused on increasing stamina, reducing injury risk, or enhancing endurance and focus, working with a sports nutritionist in Burlington brings strategic insight to your diet—and unlocks measurable gains in how you train, recover, and compete. Nutrition isn’t just fuel—it’s part of your training plan.
Supporting training intensity and recovery
Precisely timing your intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats around training supports muscle repair and glycogen restoration. Customized strategies help minimize post-workout soreness, allowing athletes to train harder and recover faster. Sports nutrition at Phenom HPM also includes guidance on anti-inflammatory foods, sports supplements, and antioxidant intake to combat oxidative stress generated during intense sessions.
Preventing performance plateaus
Many athletes unknowingly under-eat or mismanage their macronutrient ratios, stalling performance despite rigorous training. A tailored nutritional approach recalibrates your caloric and micronutrient needs based on activity type, training load, and even sleep quality. This prevents overtraining syndrome, boosts neuromuscular recovery, and helps break through stagnation.
Improving energy, focus, and endurance
Hydration strategies, nutrient timing, and brain-fueling micronutrients such as B vitamins and omega-3s play a key role in supporting cognitive sharpness, cardiovascular output, and muscular endurance. Phenom’s sports nutritionists personalize each plan to ensure athletes feel focused, resilient, and energized—both in training and competition.
“Optimized fueling reduces injury risk and supports faster recovery,” says Dr. Nicola Kempinska.
Nutrition is your recovery partner, performance driver, and competitive edge—when managed properly.
Common Nutritional Deficiencies in Athletes
Even high-performing athletes can be quietly held back by micronutrient deficiencies. From iron that shapes your endurance, to vitamin D that governs muscle function and immunity, the right balance is non-negotiable for optimal athletic output. At Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic, identifying and correcting these hidden gaps is fundamental to performance optimization in Burlington and Ontario-wide.
Iron and Vitamin D impact on stamina
Iron is vital for oxygen delivery and energy production, especially for endurance athletes. Low levels result in fatigue, shortness of breath, and reduced aerobic capacity. Similarly, vitamin D supports immune health, muscle repair, and testosterone regulation—key elements for training adaptation and resilience. Stat: Up to 40% of female endurance athletes show suboptimal iron levels—impacting aerobic performance.
Electrolytes and hydration imbalance
Sodium, potassium, and magnesium—electrolytes lost via sweat—must be replenished to avoid cramping, foggy thinking, and diminished output during high-intensity or long-duration sessions. Improper hydration strategies, especially in summer training or hockey tournament settings common in Ontario, can derail performance and recovery.
How to assess and correct deficiencies
Phenom’s sports nutrition programs begin with advanced functional lab testing. Using high-sensitivity blood markers, practitioners identify micronutrient gaps often missed in standard profiles. Personalized plans then introduce nutrient-dense food targets, medical-grade supplements, and absorption-enhancing strategies to restore balance and unlock performance potential.
Don’t let unseen deficiencies compromise your training—optimize from the inside out.
Services Offered by Burlington Sports Nutritionists
A certified sports nutritionist at Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic discusses athlete progress during a personalized consultation in Burlington.
If you’re searching for a sports nutritionist in Burlington to fuel performance, accelerate recovery, or optimize body composition, Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic provides research-based, high-impact strategies customized to your lifestyle. Whether you’re training for competition or aiming for long-term energy and focus, our evidence-guided protocols make results repeatable and sustainable.
Nutrition Coaching & Personalized Meal Plans
Every athlete and high-achiever has unique nutritional needs. Our certified dietitians conduct comprehensive intake assessments to build highly personalized nutrition plans based on your physiology, training demands, and preferences. You’ll receive guidance on pre- and post-workout meals, macro balance throughout the day, and nutrient timing to support endurance, strength, and focus.
Feature: Our InBody scans reveal muscle-to-fat ratios — useful for customized fueling strategies, weight management, and sport-specific goals.
Sports Supplement Education
From protein powders and creatine to adaptogens, we help you sort fact from fiction with individualized guidance. Our experts assess the quality, safety, and necessity of performance supplements, helping you choose what works — and avoid what doesn’t. We align all supplementation with your lab data, goals, and sport rules where applicable.
Body Composition & Metabolism Analysis
Gain clarity into your metabolic rate, lean mass vs. fat distribution, and total energy expenditure using advanced diagnostics. Our clinic uses professional-grade tools to measure muscle, hydration, and metabolic outputs with precision. These insights drive data-backed decisions that enhance endurance, speed up recovery, and support long-term strength.
Now accepting new patients at our Burlington Naturopathic Clinic — and offering virtual care across Ontario. Book your free phone consultation today!
Who We Work With
Optimizing athletic performance at every age with expert nutrition and fitness support in Burlington.
Whether you’re a youth athlete, adult weekend warrior, or elite competitor, Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic tailors sports nutrition plans to each individual’s journey. Our inclusive approach supports all levels — from grassroots talent to seasoned professionals — with science-informed solutions for training and recovery.
Recreational and Weekend Warriors
Active professionals, hobby athletes, and adults returning to sport after injury or time off benefit from strategic nutrition that supports consistency, energy, and injury prevention. We address typical pitfalls like inconsistent fueling, overtraining exhaustion, and inadequate post-workout recovery — without overwhelming busy schedules.
Youth Sports and School Athletes
Youth in athletic programs or early-in-development stages require guidance around growth-supportive fueling, hydration, and recovery. Our sports dietitians work closely with student-athletes and parents to build nutrition habits that promote mental acuity, stamina, and permittance to perform under pressure — now and into adulthood.
Competitive, Collegiate, and Elite Athletes
For high-level performers, precision nutrition becomes a game-changer. We optimize macronutrient cycling, micronutrient status, inflammation reduction, and travel-ready fueling systems to ensure consistency across game seasons. Our support extends to those preparing for competition phases, managing weight classes, or seeking recovery from overreaching cycles.
Mini-case: After 8 weeks on a custom nutrition protocol, a Burlington triathlete improved their VO2 Max by 12%.
How to Choose the Right Sports Nutritionist in Burlington
A showcase of professional credentials and achievements reflecting the expertise of Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic’s sports nutritionists in Burlington.
Finding a skilled, trustworthy sports nutritionist in Burlington requires more than a Google search. Look for qualifications, sport-specific experience, and client results. Here are key markers to consider when choosing the right provider for your health and performance journey.
Certified Dietitian vs. Generalist
Always verify that your provider is a licensed Registered Dietitian (RD) or holds equivalent credentials with a focus on performance nutrition. Many “nutrition coaches” lack formal training in biochemistry, clinical conditions, or evidence-based interventions. At Phenom, our nutritionists are regulated health professionals with ongoing education and clinical oversight.
Experience with Your Sport or Fitness Level
Each sport — from endurance events to powerlifting — has unique fueling and recovery demands. Our nutritionists synthesize clinical insight with lived athletic experience to deliver practical, tailored plans. We serve runners navigating ultramarathons, hockey players managing off-season weight targets, and lifestyle clients maximizing gym progress.
“Our board-certified team blends clinical insight with real-world sport demands.” – Dr. Callum Cowan
Local Testimonials and Before/After Success Stories
Ask for reviews or proven track records. At Phenom, we document progress using client dashboards, lab work, and body composition metrics so you can visibly track improvement. Our Burlington nutritionist team maintains high retention and client satisfaction due to measurable outcomes and sustained lifestyle change.
Virtual vs. In-Person Sports Nutrition Coaching
Personalized sports nutrition guidance available in Burlington and across Ontario via secure virtual consultations.
Wherever you live in Ontario, expert sports nutrition coaching is within reach. At Phenom High Performance Medicine Clinic, we offer secure, virtual sessions for those with busy schedules or restricted travel options, without compromising personalization or results. Here’s how it works — and how it compares to in-person care.
Online nutrition sessions via secure video
Connect via encrypted telehealth platforms to review check-ins, update fueling strategies, and access education remotely. Sessions include symptom reviews, body composition changes, and lifestyle adjustments — all in real-time, from the comfort of your home or training facility anywhere in Ontario.
Pros and cons of virtual support vs. in-person
- Virtual Pros: Greater scheduling flexibility, no commute, access to specialists beyond your city.
- In-Person Pros: Onsite testing (i.e., InBody scans), physical energy assessments, direct sampling opportunities.
We’ll guide you toward the best option based on your location, needs, and nutrition goals.
Tech-enabled tools: meal tracking and feedback apps
All clients gain access to partner apps for live dietary logging, nutrient breakdowns, and real-time feedback. These tools increase consistency between appointments and help you stay accountable to your body composition, energy targets, and sport outcomes.
Patient Story: An NHL prospect worked virtually with our team while training abroad, maintaining optimal nutrition year-round.
