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Nutritional status in CrossFit® athletes
Yalda Ghazi1, África Peral-Suárez2, María Dolores Salas-González3
1Departament of Nutrition and Food Science. Faculty of Pharmacy. Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
Nutricion Hospitalaria
|June 30, 2026
Summary
CrossFit athletes often undereat, risking relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs). Prioritizing balanced nutrition, adequate energy and carbohydrates, and essential micronutrients is crucial for performance and health.
Area of Science:
- Sports Nutrition
- Exercise Physiology
- Athletic Performance
Background:
- CrossFit's popularity necessitates understanding athlete nutritional needs.
- CrossFit athletes often have high BMI due to muscle mass but may not meet energy requirements.
- Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) is a risk, impacting recovery, hormonal balance, bone health, and immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the nutritional status of CrossFit athletes.
- To identify common dietary patterns and deficiencies in this population.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for optimizing health and performance.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on CrossFit nutrition.
- Analysis of dietary intake patterns, including macronutrient and micronutrient consumption.
- Assessment of common supplement use among CrossFit practitioners.
Main Results:
- Many CrossFit athletes, especially women, do not meet energy needs, increasing REDs risk.
- High protein intake is common, often at the expense of essential carbohydrates.
- Deficiencies in Vitamin D and zinc are frequently observed, impacting key bodily functions.
Conclusions:
- CrossFit athletes require a balanced diet with sufficient energy and adequate carbohydrates.
- Addressing micronutrient deficiencies (e.g., Vitamin D, zinc) is vital.
- Supplement use should be supervised to ensure safety and efficacy, prioritizing a whole-foods approach.
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