You work hard to develop your specific sport skills. You would not be a member of a Vanderbilt athletic team if you were not exceptional at your sport. You also spend time developing strength and cardiovascular conditioning. If you skipped your workouts and practice sessions, you would not stay a member of your team for very long. Nutrition is another part of your training. If you don’t work at healthy eating, you are missing an opportunity to enhance and improve your performance. Do athletes need to follow a special diet? No, but they need to follow the basic guidelines for healthy eating with more discipline compared to a non-athlete. Proper nourishment everyday will provide adequate energy (carbohydrate and fat), protein, vitamins, minerals, and water; all of which are essential for good health and athletic performance.