Fueling the NFL: A look inside elite sports nutrition strategies

Speaking to NutraIngredients at the Sports & Active Nutrition Summit in San Diego, Mazur emphasized that elite performance is the result of a continuous process that extends well beyond Sundays on the field. “Athletes perform on game day, but really it’s about year-long readiness,” he said. “Players are training year-round, whether that’s in the offseason building capacity, preparing during training camp, or maintaining performance through the season.” The NFL calendar is structured around multiple phases, each with different training and fueling demands. After a brief break following the season, players move into offseason conditioning programs designed to rebuild strength and endurance ahead of organized team activities and training camp. Nutrition strategies shift alongside those phases, though Mazur said he maintains a “food-first” approach. “I’m a food-first dietitian,” he said. “We try to fuel the body through whole foods and proper nutrition, but sometimes there are gaps where supplementation can play an important role.” Rather than relying on guesswork, Mazur looks to data-driven methods to help him provide a more personalized approach to players. Tools such as body composition scans and blood biomarkers allow the team to identify nutrient insufficiencies and tailor nutrition plans to each athlete’s needs. “The blood doesn’t lie,” he said. “We can identify deficiencies or insufficiencies and make targeted adjustments to help athletes get into optimal ranges.” Individualization is critical given the wide range of physical demands across NFL positions. A 180-pound skill player and a 300-pound lineman have dramatically different training loads and fueling requirements. “Those fuel demands have to be unique to the individual,” Mazur said. While individualized nutrition plans guide each athlete, Mazur highlighted several supplements he considers foundational for most athletes: a high-quality multivitamin, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, creatine, probiotics and magnesium. “These act as a strong base,” he said. “They help cover common gaps and support everything from muscle health to cognitive function.” Ultimately, Mazur said he views nutrition as one piece of a broader performance ecosystem that includes strength and conditioning, sports medicine and recovery protocols. “Nutrition isn’t a standalone service,” he said. “It’s part of a complete performance system.”

Fueling the NFL: A look inside elite sports nutrition strategies

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