Practical Applications in Sports Nutrition, Third Edition provides students and practitioners with the latest sports nutrition information and dietary practices so they can assist athletes and fitness enthusiasts in achieving their personal performance goals. This text not only provides the most current sports nutrition guidelines and research but also includes the tools and guidance necessary to most appropriately apply the information in the "real world." It demonstrates effective ways to communicate sports nutrition messages to athletes and how to motivate individuals to make permanent behavior change.Early chapters provide an introduction to sports nutrition and give a thorough explanation of macronutrients, micronutrients, and water and their relation to athletic performance. Later chapters focus on the practical and applied aspects of sports nutrition including behavior change through consultations and weight management. Chapter 15 targets the unique nutrition requirements of special populations such as athletes who are pregnant, vegetarian, or have chronic diseases. The text concludes with a chapter dedicated to helping readers discover the pathway to becoming a sports dietitian through education and experience.