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Supplement Overview

• Composition: carbohydrate-rich, moderate protein, low-fat powder (or liquid) for mixing with water or milk to provide an energy and nutrient-rich dietary supplement.
• Provides a compact and easily prepared meal replacement/supplement.
• Provides substantial source of many vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids. For example, provides RDI for most vitamins and minerals in 500-1000 mL.
• Needs to be used according to directions to ensure that energy and nutrient composition is adequate for achieving specific nutritional goals.

Supplement Profile

• Compact form of energy, supplying a balance of macronutrients and micronutrients.
• Useful for athletes who need to increase energy-intake without preparing or eating additional food or meals:
  • athletes aiming to increase lean body mass
  • athletes coping with heavy training loads
  • athletes undergoing growth spurts
• Provides substantial amounts of carbohydrate and protein (essential amino acids) and other micronutrients:
  • useful as post-exercise recovery snack
• Low residue form of carbohydrate, protein and micronutrients. Can replace normal energy and nutrient intake while reducing gastrointestinal contents and body mass:
  • useful to replace 1-3 meals on day before weigh-in in weight making sports
  • useful as pre-event meal for athletes with high risk of gastrointestinal upset
• Portable, non-perishable and easily prepared meal or snack - providing energy, balance of macronutrients, and substantial source of micronutrients:
  • useful for travelling athlete who has minimal facilities for food preparation/storage
  • useful for travel to countries with inadequate or hard to access food supply, or problems with food hygiene
  • can be taken overseas without contravening customs regulations

Situations for Use in Sport

• Nutrient dense supplement providing energy and carbohydrate in a high energy diet
• Low residue, pre-exercise meal alternative.
• Low residue preparation for weight-making sports to replace 1-3 meals on the day before weigh-in (reduce weight of gastrointestinal contents).
• Compact and convenient post-exercise snack providing carbohydrate, protein and micronutrients to address goals of recovery. Especially valuable when appetite is suppressed or access to foods is limited.
• Portable and non-perishable food supplement for the travelling athlete.

Concerns Associated with Supplement Use

• Liquid meal supplements can often be overused, leading to inappropriate replacement of whole foods and over-reliance on an expensive alternative. Food sources should always be considered as the first option for meals and snacks.
• Compact form may lead to over-consumption of kilojoules and unwanted weight gain
• Low-residue weight making strategy may not be effective if athlete is already restricting dietary intake and has reduced gastrointestinal contents.
• Failure to follow the instructions for drink preparation may produce a drink that does not achieve the energy and nutrient profile needed for a specific dietary goal.
• Lactose-free product should be chosen where athlete is lactose intolerant or following gastrointestinal upset.

Last Updated 3/1/07

This fact sheet has been prepared by the AIS Sports Nutrition as part of the AIS Sports Supplement Program. The AIS Sports Supplement Program has been designed for the specific needs of AIS athletes. It is recommended that other athletes and groups seek independent advice before using any supplement. © Australian Sports Commission 2007