You are putting in the work. The question is whether your nutrition is keeping up with it.
Most recreational athletes are not failing because of their training plan. They are failing because of what happens in the kitchen — or more often, because of what does not happen. Skipping breakfast before a morning run. Under-eating on hard training days. Cramping at mile ten because hydration was an afterthought. Wondering why recovery takes three days when it should take one.
Sports nutrition counseling at Fuel NC is built for adults who train seriously and want their food to actually support that. Whether you are chasing a half marathon PR, preparing for your first triathlon, adding strength alongside your cardio, or just trying to feel better during and after workouts — the approach is the same. Find out what your body specifically needs, build a plan around that, and make it simple enough that you actually do it, sustainably.
Book a Free Connect CallBuilt for adults who train — at every level.
Sports nutrition clients come in with different goals, different sports, and different histories with food. What they share is that they are active and they want their nutrition to match the effort they put into their training.
- Runners training for a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon.
- Triathletes and cyclists managing high training volume and fueling across multiple disciplines.
- Adults who may be starting to exercise for the first time, and need helpful nutrition tips around movement.
- Adults who lift, do CrossFit, or train for strength and want to fuel muscle building and recovery properly.
- Those who perform endurance training, but are fearful of adding in carbohydrates.
- People who work out consistently but feel like they are not getting results proportional to the effort.
- Athletes experiencing persistent fatigue, poor recovery, or performance plateaus despite training well.
- Adults who struggle with body image and know that they want to add in food throughout the day, but need some accountability.
- Anyone who has tried to figure out nutrition on their own — through apps, podcasts, or trial and error — and is ready for something individualized.
The areas sports nutrition counseling covers.
The specific focus depends on your sport, your goals, and what is getting in the way right now. These are the areas that come up most often.
Pre, during, and post-workout fueling
What to eat before training, how to fuel during longer efforts, and what your body needs in the recovery window after. Timed correctly, this is where most athletes see the fastest gains.
Race day and event nutrition
Half marathons, full marathons, triathlons, cycling events, and competitions. Building a race nutrition plan that you have practiced and that will not fall apart at mile eighteen.
Carbohydrate strategy
How much, what type, and when. Carbohydrates are your primary fuel for moderate to high intensity training — and most adults have been given wrong information about them for years.
Protein and recovery nutrition
Endurance and strength athletes both have higher protein needs than the general population. Distributed consistently across the day, it is one of the most reliable ways to improve recovery and adaptation.
Hydration and electrolytes
Water is not enough for longer efforts. Understanding your sweat rate, sodium losses, and what to take in during training prevents the cramps and fatigue that have nothing to do with fitness.
Energy availability and underfueling
One of the most common and most missed issues in recreational athletes. Training on too little fuel over time leads to fatigue, stalled performance, and hormonal disruption — none of which extra training will fix.
Building a sustainable relationship with food
Sports nutrition and intuitive eating are not competing goals. Athletes who have a relaxed relationship with food — who are not tracking obsessively or fighting restriction and overeating — perform better and stay in their sport longer.
What working together actually looks like.
Sessions are built around your training schedule, your race calendar, and your real life. There is no generic plan handed to you at the first appointment.
Free connect call
A free 20-minute conversation where you share what is going on and we explain how we work. No commitment required.
Full intake at your first session
Your training history, your current nutrition, your goals, your race schedule, and what has and has not worked before. This is where the individualized work begins.
A plan built around your actual schedule
Not a template. Not a generic endurance athlete protocol. Something built around your specific sport, your training load, your life, and your goals.
Ongoing sessions to refine as the season progresses
Nutrition needs shift with training load. Pre-season, peak training, taper, and race week all look different. Sessions keep the plan current with where you actually are.
What clients say
"Taking Ella's recommendations and putting them into practice — for 4 months leading up to my Augusta 70.3 race — I not only podiumed, but I also took 1st place!! I raced 4 weeks later at Ironman 70.3 NC and also took 1st place… There is no doubt in my mind that the missing piece hitting my goals was my nutrition. It truly won the day! So grateful for Ella's knowledge… and patience with me as I navigated a new norm."Lisa · Sports Nutrition Client
"She was friendly, professional, and gave practical, helpful advice and information that improved my daughter's performance in a positive way. Thank you!"Alex · High School Runner Parent
Straightforward pricing. No surprise fees. Insurance Accepted.
Most of our clients use insurance. If you have BCBS, Aetna, the State Health Plan, Meritain, or Cigna, there is a good chance your sessions are covered 100% — often, without even the need for a copay. Check your coverage before you decide anything about pricing.
We accept most major insurance plans.
BCBS · Aetna · State Health Plan · Meritain · Cigna
Call us and we will verify your benefits before your first appointment — no guessing.
Not using insurance? All packages are available as self-pay. All new clients begin with the first-month package to build the foundation, then choose the ongoing level of support that fits.
4 weekly sessions
The first month is where we do the full intake, review your training load, build your individualized plan, and put it into practice. This is the work everything else builds on.
Consistent contact while working through the plan. Fast troubleshooting when things come up — race week nutrition, a training block that changed, an event you are preparing for.
Get startedSpace to put things into practice between sessions. Good for athletes who have built a foundation and want continued guidance without weekly check-ins.
Get startedA regular touchpoint through the season. Best for athletes who are largely independent and want accountability and a place to bring questions.
Get startedTo empower active men and women to fuel their bodies healthfully.
Through the lens of intuitive eating, Fuel NC works to maximize your strength and energy while making food fun and enjoyable.
- Build relationships I care about your progress, and want to offer the support and accountability you need to be successful.
- Create and innovate Stay up-to-date with the latest research and nutrition strategies for health and performance.
- Deliver results Diets only work in the short term. Come on board to learn about long-term, sustainable nutrition practices.
Ready to fuel like your training deserves?
A free 20-minute connect call is the place to start.
Book a Free Connect Call919-819-4052 · info@fuelnc.com · 1107 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC