What Maurten's Lead Performance Dietitian Wants You to Know about Sodium Bicarb and Other Fueling Strategies

In Episode 122 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m catching up with Lauren Thomas, an endurance athlete and the Lead Performance Dietitian for Maurten in the US. Lauren has been a collegiate sports RD, a Tactical Performance Dietitian within US Special Operations, and now works with athletes of all levels at Maurten. This episode is a grab-bag of topics, all focusing on overcoming sports nutrition challenges to improve performance. From sodium bicarbonate and hydration to real-life fueling logistics, Lauren offers a thoughtful perspective based on her unique mix of experiences. Lauren and I discuss:8:32: Why athletes benefit from having the support of a multi-disciplinary team to reach health and fitness goals13:23: Why fueling periodization matters, and how under-fueling on shorter training days can derail progress29:10: Whether sodium bicarb is really worth the hype, and when it may help endurance athletes37:00: When and how to correctly prioritize fluid, carb, and sodium intake, and why US athletes often overdo electrolytes44:00: The role of sport culture and race terrain in shaping fueling strategies FYI: This episode is NOT sponsored by Maurten. We do talk about Maurten products, as that is part of Lauren’s career and story, but as always, I encourage you to try different products and strategies to find what works best for you.  🎧 Tune in to learn more! Links & Resources:Follow Lauren on InstagramJoin my membership service, Fuel for Life Crew, for $30/month (cancel anytime)Check out my free nutrition downloadsBrowse my library of nutrition masterclasses (all are included inside the Fuel for Life Crew membership)Interested in 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry formSupport the pod by shopping with my affiliate codesJoin my Patreon communityGet in touch at claire@eatforendurance.com  Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter! Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendations. Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message! Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).