"Female athletes are at greater risk for these health problems," said Haemi Choi, MD, women's sports medicine specialist, Loyola University Health System. "If we can educate women on how to listen to their bodies and support themselves with proper nutrition, we can better protect their health."

Loyola sports medicine specialists offer these dietary tips to help women prevent health issues from popping up during marathon and triathlon training season.

Consume carbohydrates. Eat carbohydrates two hours prior to exercising and immediately following a training session or event.

Load up on calcium. A regular multivitamin does not have an adequate amount of calcium. Premenopausal women should consume 1,000 - 1,200 mg of calcium daily and postmenopausal women should take 1,500 mg in 500 mg doses with magnesium and vitamin D for optimal absorption. Eat small well-balanced meals regularly. Consume small, balanced meals every three to four hours to ensure energy levels support training needs. Ensure caloric intake is sufficient. Physicians recommend eating 30 calories per kilogram of weight daily and adjusting this based on exertion levels.

"Harm caused by the female athlete triad is reversible if caught early and caloric intake or exercise levels are corrected," Dr. Jayanthi said. "Bone loss may be permanent and can occur if this condition is left untreated, so early diagnosis and treatment is critical."

SOURCE Loyola University Health System