Protein is an essential part of an athlete`s diet and as a sports health professional, chances are you`re fielding questions about protein from your athletes on a daily basis. With so much new information and research emerging, making the right recommendations can be challenging. Here`s some information to help to give practical answers to athletes` questions: - How much protein do athletes need? - What are the differences between essential and nonessential amino acids? - What are good sources of protein? - Is More Protein Better? - Does protein play a role in enhancing hydration? - Is there an optimal ratio of carbohydrate to protein? - What`s the bottom line in terms of whether protein consumed during exercise can benefit performance? - Should athletes consume both carbohydrate and protein following exercise? - What can athletes do to jump-start their recovery? - Does the amount of protein matter?