🥩 Fuel Triathlon Performance With Fat: Why Elite Athletes Are Making the Switch

🔥 How to Fuel Triathlon Performance With Fat – Backed by Experts

Most endurance athletes still cling to the outdated carb-heavy approach—stuffing themselves with gels, sugary drinks, and pasta. But more and more are now learning to fuel triathlon performance with fat, a strategy backed by some of the most forward-thinking health leaders alive.

1. Build Unshakeable EnduranceFat holds more energy per gram than carbs. Once fat-adapted, your body runs longer on stored fat without crashing mid-race.

2. Faster Recovery, Less InflammationHigh-carb fuels spike glucose and drive inflammation. A fat-first approach promotes hormonal balance and tissue repair, ideal after intense swim-bike-run sessions.

3. Consistent Energy, No BonkYour fat stores don’t run out mid-race. Say goodbye to bonking—a testimony to glucose-reliant strategies and steady as she goes pacing.

4. Better Body CompositionFat-fueled athletes burn body fat while keeping lean muscle. This approach supports performance, shaping an athlete who’s both strong and light.

5. Sharper Mind, Better MoodFat-based fueling sustains ketones, which support mental clarity and resilience—vital during those tough final miles.

🚨 The Lesson from a Pro: Tour de France Rider’s Blood-Lipid Wake-Up

A recent Cycling Weekly piece reports elite cyclists consuming massive sugar loads via gels and drinks—up to 80–120 g of sugar per hour—noteably spiking blood lipids and inflammation over time theprimal.comcyclingweekly.com. Even top racers in France are seeing "bad blood work"—a red flag that carb-dominant fueling at high volume isn't harmless.

Your clients should see that fueling fat-adaptively can help avoid these hidden metabolic costs—without compromising performance.

🧬 What the Experts Say

Coach / Doctor	Takeaway
Anthony Chaffee	Strict carnivore & fat-first diets cure inflammation and insulin resistance—critical for peak performance.
Paul Saladino	For active triathletes, fat-first nutrition with selective carbs (e.g. fruit) supports hormones and muscle—but sugar-heavy gels? Not ideal.
Shawn Baker	Promotes fatty cuts for recovery, energy, and lean muscle maintenance—the core of fat-powered athleticism.
Ken Berry	Advocates removing unnecessary sugars to improve blood markers, reduce inflammation, and support metabolic health under training stress.

✅ Fuel Triathlon Performance With Fat – How to Implement

1. Eliminate seed oils + ultra-processed carbsFollow Chaffee & Berry’s guidelines.

2. Eat protein + healthy fats as core fuelPrioritize red meat, eggs, fatty fish—your fat power combo.

3. Train low-carb; race smartUse fasted or fat-fueled Zone 2 sessions to build base endurance. Optionally add minimal sugar only when performance is critical (e.g. final 10% of race).

4. Monitor outcomesTrack body fat, blood lipids, post-workout recovery, and mood to refine your plan.

5. Reassess regular markersAvoid Tour de France-style surprises—keep tabs on lipids, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity.

Final Word

To fuel triathlon performance with fat is not just about ditching carbs—it’s about unlocking stable energy, turbocharging recovery, refining body comp, and safeguarding your metabolic health. You'll race stronger, feel better, and write your best story from swim to finish line.