Imagine a situation where there is free food – maybe even served 24 hours a day – with numerous choices on offer, plenty of company to enjoy it with, and no sight of Mum to make sure that vegetables are eaten.  This is the scenario provided by the Athlete Villages organised for many of the world’s major sporting competitions.  As perfect as it sounds, it presents a number of challenges for the travelling athlete. For young and inexperienced athletes, the temptations and challenges often interfere with achieving nutritional goals.  It is important to understand the special challenges of communal eating and to adopt special eating strategies.

Challenges for the athlete

• Great quantities of food. You can serve yourself as much as you want from an almost inexhaustible supply. It is easy to eat more than you need.
• Many choices of food all at once.  When in doubt, most people have it all! It would be too awful to miss out on something nice.
• Different and unusual foods.  Some people find it difficult to adjust to food that is different to the way they eat at home, or to food that has been batch-cooked rather than individually prepared.  
• Lack of supervision. Many young athletes come unstuck when they are first required to take responsibility for their food intake
• Distraction. Surrounded by the eating habits of a large group of people, it can be difficult to concentrate on your own nutritional goals. And, given the competitive nature of athletes in general, it isn't surprising that official and unofficial "eating competitions" can take place.
• Eating for entertainment.  Food provides the fuel that powers athletes to the achievement of their dreams.  But it also fulfils an emotional and social role for athletes - and, perhaps, some stress-release during the nail-biting weeks of competition. If the dining room becomes a "hang-out", a lot of extra food can be demolished in the name of unwinding and relaxing together.

Tips for eating well

• Know clearly your nutritional goals and how you can choose food to achieve these.  If you are unsure or used to having other people organise meals for you, arrange to see a sports dietitian for some specific advice.
• Be aware of the total menu on offer and eat to a plan rather than piling a bit of everything on your plate as you move down the food line. Make use of menu boards, or "do a lap" of the buffet or dining room so that you can plan your meal as you wait in the queue. 
• Convince yourself that piling a bit of everything on your plate is haphazard, and unbalanced – it can quickly lead to unwanted weight gain.  But it can also quickly lead to boredom with the catering, because there is no sense of choosing a different theme each night. Keep things interesting by having a different menu each night. 
• Relax. Remember that there is plenty of food for everyone and menu items will often be repeated.  Don’t behave as if this is your last meal.
• Make use of available information, such as nutrition cards, to learn more about the food that is being served.  When you are unsure, don’t be afraid to ask the waiters or chef.
• Don't concern yourself with the amount and type of food that other athletes are consuming. The nutritional needs of other athletes may vary quite markedly from your own. Stick to what is right for you.
• Remove yourself from the food environment once you have finished your meal. Don't leave yourself exposed to "boredom eating".