REDs Nutrition Support for Athletes
RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) is a clinical condition resulting from insufficient energy intake to meet the demands of training and basic physiological function. It can adversely affect performance, recovery, metabolic health, bone density, and hormonal function.
At RJ Performance Nutrition, I provide professionally-led, evidence-based nutrition support for athletes experiencing RED-S. Working with a registered sports dietitian ensures that interventions are safe, individualised, and aligned with both training goals and long-term health.
Support is available nationally via online consultations, with in-person appointments in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Understanding REDs
RED-S arises when an athlete’s energy intake is consistently lower than energy expenditure (“low energy availability”), leading to insufficient energy availability to maintain optimal physiological function.
Consequences may include:
Persistent fatigue and impaired training adaptation
Hormonal disturbances, including loss of periods (FHA: Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea) and menstrual irregularities in female athletes
Decreased bone mineral density and increased injury risk
Compromised immune function and illness susceptibility
Impaired metabolic and cardiovascular health
RED-S can affect both male and female athletes across all disciplines, including endurance, team, and strength-based sports. Early detection and intervention are critical to prevent long-term health consequences.
Clinician-Led Support Process
My approach focuses on the individual - recognising the importance of health in conjunction with challenges in the recovery journey, and the central value that sport and performance holds for athletes.
Interventions focus on restoring adequate energy availability and supporting health and performance outcomes. This includes, where indicated, the restoration of hormone function and regular menstrual cycles. Nutrition strategies will be combined with holistic approaches, as appropriate, to also address bone health, stress management and psychosocial influencers that can contribute and perpetuate REDs symptoms.
All support is delivered within an evidence-based framework and tailored to the individual:
1. Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
A detailed evaluation of training load, dietary intake, health history, biochemistry and holistic factors. Assessment identifies areas of energy deficit and associated physiological risk. Where appropriate, the assessment is conducted in coordination with other healthcare professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach.
2. Individualised Nutrition Intervention
Evidence-based strategies are developed to restore energy availability, optimise macronutrient intake and timing, and support recovery and safe participation in sport. Plans are tailored to the athlete’s sport, training schedule, and lifestyle, and include consideration of additional clinical input. As appropriate, athletes may be referred to or signposted to medical specialists, physiotherapists, or other allied health professionals to ensure holistic care.
3. Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment
Regular follow-ups ensure nutrition strategies remain aligned with training, health markers, and performance outcomes. Collaboration with the athlete’s wider MDT allows for timely adjustments and appropriate management of training and competition.
Why Work With a Registered Sports Dietitian
REDs requires specialised, clinician-led management. Working with a registered clinical and sports dietitian ensures that nutrition plans:
Are grounded in evidence and clinical nutrition expertise
Identify and mitigate short and long-term health risks associated with low energy availability
Support performance goals whilst prioritising athlete health
Are tailored to individual training demands, health needs, lifestyle, and sport
Include collaboration with a multidisciplinary team (MDT) as needed, ensuring athletes receive coordinated care
Provide referral or signposting to medical and professional specialists if clinical indicators suggest additional evaluation or intervention is required
This professional oversight ensures RED-S management is safe, holistic, and responsive to both performance and health priorities.
Please note, there are some cases in which clinical concerns arise that mean my input at this time is not appropriate or the best course of care for you. These include very low BMI (<17.5kg/m2), recent very significant weight loss or concerns about risk relating to your physical health. In such situations I will discuss recommendations for other professionals or routes of care.
Looking for general sports nutrition advice for training, competition and recovery?
How Nutrition Support Helps
Working with a registered sports dietitian helps athletes with RED-s or low energy availability to:
Restore adequate energy intake
Optimise fuelling strategies for training and recovery
Support hormonal and metabolic health
Improve bone health and injury prevention
Maintain long-term athletic participation
Develop positive relationships with food and body image
Nutrition plans are individualised, clinically-evidenced, practical, and aim to promote safe ongoing participation in sports throughout recovery - where appropriate.
Book REDs Nutrition Support
If you are experiencing symptoms of REDs or low energy availability, personalised nutrition support can help restore energy balance and improve both health and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is REDs (or RED-s) in athletes?
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Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs, formerly RED-S) is a clinical syndrome that occurs when an athlete’s energy intake is insufficient to meet training demands and physiological needs. This has impact on multiple body functions including endocrine, metabolic, bone, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health, as well as training and performance. Early recognition and clinician-led support are critical to restore energy availability and prevent longer-term health implications.
Who is at risk of REDs?
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Athletes across all disciplines and competition levels (from recreational to elite) may be affected. This includes endurance, team, and strength sports, and particularly those with high training loads, busy competition schedules, inadequate energy intake or wider lifestyle stressors. Both male and female athletes are at risk, though symptom presentation may differ.
Is clinical supervision indicated in supporting athletes with REDs?
3
Yes., in REDs management a professionally-led, multi-disciplinary and evidence-based approach is often required. A registered sports dietitian can assess energy availability, design an individualised nutrition plan, and monitor progress. MDT involvement from medical specialists, physiotherapists or sports therapists, coaches and psychologists (as indicated) supports safe and effective outcomes.
Can nutrition alone resolve REDs?
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Nutrition support for adequate energy availability and nutrient timing is a cornerstone of recovery, but holistic management requires consideration of training load adjustments, clinical assessment, and lifestyle factors. Working within a multidisciplinary framework ensures safe restoration of energy balance and optimal outcomes for sport and long-term health.
Are online consultations available?
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Yes. Clinician-led REDs consultations are offered online for athletes across the UK and in-person for those in Newcastle, Northumberland and surrounding areas. All consultations include assessment, personalised nutrition support, and MDT referral/signposting if required.
Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist in Newcastle
Athletes looking for evidence-based sports nutrition support in Newcastle upon Tyne can access services through RJ Performance Nutrition.
Support is available for athletes across a range of sports and performance levels, with services including:
In-person services are available in Newcastle upon Tyne, for athletes from surrounding areas in the North East including:
Gateshead
North Shields
South Shields
Sunderland
Durham
Northumberland
Sports nutrition consultations are also delivered online for clients across the UK, allowing athletes to access specialist nutrition support regardless of location.
Appointments can be booked online through RJ Performance Nutrition.