Sports nutritionists adopt the nutrition care process road map to develop individualized meal planning for athletes

Background: It is considered that the implementation of nutrition care process (NCP) leads to more efficient and effective care, as well as enhancing the roles of dietetics and nutrition professionals in the clinical setting. However, little is known about the NCP being implemented in the sports nutrition setting to deliver nutrition care, especially in meal planning. Therefore, this study aims to identify the process that sports nutritionists (SNs) practice in meal planning to plan meals for athletes and identify the application of NCP. Methods: In-depth interviews, using semi-structured interview questions, were conducted with SNs employed at the National Sports Institute of Malaysia. Five SNs who managed different types of sports were recruited. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were entered into ATLAS.ti 8 and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The following processes were identified: (i) collecting pertinent data, (ii) analysing the collected data, (iii) determining nutrition prescriptions, (iv) formulating goals and determining actions, (v) implementing actions and recommendations and (vi) monitoring. Conclusions: This study identified six general processes practiced by SNs in meal planning that comprised the NCP's interrelated steps, except nutrition diagnosis statement from the nutrition diagnosis step of the NCP. A comprehensive process and workflow can help sports dietitians or nutritionists to develop individualised meal plans that can improve athletes' nutritional status, adherence, health and sports performance.