Services
REDs, low energy availability & Athlete Health |
Nutrition support for under-fuelling that protects health, recovery and performance.
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs)
Low energy availability (LEA) can develop when the energy available from food is not enough to cover training alongside the body's wider needs. It is not always deliberate: increased training, a busy schedule, reduced appetite or uncertainty about how much to eat can all contribute.
When low energy availability is prolonged or severe, it can affect multiple areas of health and performance and may contribute to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs).
As a Registered Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist based in Newcastle, I provide practical nutrition assessment and support for athletes experiencing persistent under-fuelling, low energy availability or REDs-related concerns, both online and in person.
My role is to help you understand whether your current intake is meeting the demands of training, identify realistic ways to improve fuelling and involve other healthcare professionals where this is needed.
So you can work towards better energy, recovery and consistency without reducing your health to a number, a rigid meal plan or a set of food rules.
Is this right for you?
You might benefit from LEA, REDs and athlete health support if you:
Regularly struggle to eat enough around training.
Have persistent fatigue, poor recovery or a drop in performance.
Have irregular or absent periods, reduced libido or other hormonal concerns.
Have recurrent injuries, bone stress injuries or concerns about bone health.
Feel cold, notice disrupted sleep or experience frequent illness.
Have gastrointestinal symptoms that make fuelling difficult.
Find your training load has increased but your food intake has not kept pace.
Feel anxious or uncertain about increasing your intake.
Have been advised by a clinician that low energy availability or REDs may be relevant.
Ready to chat about your requirements?
How I can help
Support is tailored to your goals, sport and lifestyle, but commonly includes:
- A detailed review of food intake, training demands, symptoms and relevant health history.
- Identifying gaps in everyday, pre-, during- and post-training fuelling.
- Practical strategies to increase energy and carbohydrate availability.
- Support with recovery nutrition, bone-health nutrition and key micronutrients.
- Exploring barriers to adequate fuelling without adding unnecessary rules.
- Advice on training nutrition while awaiting or undergoing medical assessment.
- Monitoring progress through symptoms, intake, training tolerance and relevant clinical information.
- Liaison with your GP, sports medicine clinician or wider team where appropriate.
- Onward referral when a different service or more coordinated support would better meet your needs.
Who I work with
This service may be appropriate for:
- Runners, cyclists and triathletes
- Endurance and ultra-endurance athletes
- Team sport and strength athletes
- Male and female athletes
- Youth and masters athletes
- Athletes returning from injury or bone stress injury
- People with unintentional under-fuelling
- Athletes already receiving appropriate medical or psychological support
You do not need a confirmed diagnosis to ask for help. REDs is a clinical syndrome, however, and cannot be diagnosed through a nutrition consultation alone; symptoms can have several causes and medical assessment may be recommended.
Why RJ Performance Nutrition?
As both a Registered Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist, my approach combines performance nutrition with a strong focus on long-term health.
That means considering not only what might improve performance in the short term, but what is sustainable, realistic and supportive of the bigger picture.
You’ll receive personalised, evidence-based advice designed around your goals, your training and your life — not generic meal plans, rigid rules or unnecessary restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you diagnose REDs?
No. REDs is a clinical syndrome and diagnosis requires appropriate medical assessment. I can assess nutritional factors, provide dietetic intervention and liaise with or signpost to relevant clinicians.
Do I need to see my GP?
Not everyone will need the same input, but symptoms such as menstrual disruption, recurrent injury, marked fatigue or other health changes may warrant medical review and blood tests. This can take place before or alongside nutrition support.
Can you support eating disorders?
This is not a specialist eating-disorder service. Some people with mild disordered-eating features may be supported where appropriate wider care is already in place. Active eating disorders, medical instability or more complex presentations may require a specialist eating-disorder clinician or MDT.
Will you tell me to stop training?
I will give clear, evidence-based advice based on the information available. Training modification may sometimes be important for safety and recovery, but decisions may also need input from your doctor, sports medicine clinician or wider team.
Is REDs only a concern for female athletes?
No. Low energy availability and REDs can affect athletes of any sex, sport or performance level. Signs can differ and menstrual function is only one possible indicator.
Do you offer online appointments?
Yes. Consultations are available online throughout the UK as well as in person in Ponteland, Newcastle.
Ready to get started?
Appointments are available online across the UK and in person in Ponteland, Newcastle. If you’re worried that under-fuelling may be affecting your health, recovery or performance, you are welcome to get in touch. A brief enquiry call can help establish whether this service is appropriate and whether other professional input may be needed.
Ready to begin?
Ready to begin? Book an appointment online at a time that works for you, or if you’d like to ensure our service is right for you before booking, then schedule a free enquiry call.
Get in touch
Contact us to ask questions, learn more about how I work or explore whether my support is right for you.