What Coaches Can Do

As a coach, your role is not to diagnose or directly treat REDs however you play a key role in spotting early signs and creating a supportive and healthy environment for your athlete to thrive.

Coaching Tips:

• Building a culture where food is a performance tool, linking with necessity to perform and food's pivotal role in recovery (rather than demonising food with ‘good’ or ‘bad’ principles).
• Talking about fuelling for performance rather than weight, appearance or body composition.
• Commend performance outcomes, habits and attitudes rather than aesthetic related outcomes.
• Encourage rest and recovery as essential components of your programme.
• Know your limits- refer your athlete to a sports doctor or sport nutritionist/dietitian if REDs is suspected.
• Keep open communication channels where your athlete can share their struggles or concerns.