Over the last few years, sportsmen and women have begun to realise the potential role of nutrition in relation to improving performance. As sporting standards get higher and higher, competitors often experiment with new diets, protein supplements and megavitamin doses in an attempt to achieve the ‘competitive edge’. There is, however, no conclusive evidence that such practices do improve performance. The whole area of nutrition in sport is currently receiving much interest within the nutrition and dietetic profession. It was one of the major topics discussed at the recent annual conference of the British Dietetic Association and the Sports Nutrition Foundation has recently been established to provide a focal point for the professional development of all those involved in the field of sports nutrition.