Athletes' Attitude on Foods as Snacks

Food guidelines, such as the food pyramid, show that sweets, salty snacks and sweetened drinks can be consumed sparingly or moderately. However, some studies report that athletes restrict these foods. The purpose of this study was to investigate what kind of foods were considered to be favorable or unfavorable as a snack for athletes. A questionnaire listing 35 foods (classified into 6 groups: [1] rice and noodles, [2] breads, [3] processed foods, [4] dairy products, [5] sweets and salty snacks and [6] fruits and drinks) was completed by 469 university athletes (345 males and 124 females) aged 19.2±1.22 years. Comparisons were made between sexes, the requirement for weight management in their sport (weight), the receipt of nutrition advice (advice), and the level of self‐evaluated nutrition knowledge (knowledge). More than half of the subjects answered ‘unfavorable’ for 11 foods: instant noodles, hamburger, carbohydrate‐rich pastries, fatty pastries, fried foods, confectionery, cookies, ice cream, candy and gum, salty snacks, and sweetened drinks, with no significant differences in responses based on sex, weight, advice, or knowledge. However, females regarded udon/soba/soumen (Japanese noodles), donburi (a rice bowl with meat, fish, or vegetables), pasta, sandwiches, steamed meat buns, processed meats, and canned/dry fruits as unfavorable more often than males ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, less than 50% of females thought that pasta was favorable. Energy drinks were considered unfavorable by subjects who had received nutrition advice ( p < 0.05). The subjects evaluated foods rich in sugar and fat, such as salty snacks, sweets, fried foods, and sweetened drinks, which they had been instructed to consume sparingly or moderately, as less favorable, and these foods were not generally consumed as daily meals. Females tended to regard foods rich in carbohydrates and protein that were recommended by dietitians as less favorable than males.