Final answer:
Aerobic athletes are recommended to consume 20-35% of their overall daily calories from fats, which aligns with public health guidelines. This intake supports energy needs, essential fatty acids, and fat-soluble vitamin absorption. Adjustments can be made for individual needs, but intakes should not fall below 20% to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aerobic athletes should consume the same percentage of fat in their diet as the general population, which is 20-35% of their energy intake. However, athletes may need to adjust their fat intake based on individual training levels and body composition goals.
It's important that even when reducing fat intake for weight or body composition reasons, athletes do not go below 20% of energy intake from fats as that can lead to a deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids.
Furthermore, athletes need adequate protein to support metabolic reactions and muscle maintenance, with recommended intake ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 g/kg/day of protein.
This varies based on exercise intensity and duration. To effectively fuel their activities, consuming sufficient carbohydrates is also crucial, which should be around 3-10 g/kg/day depending on the type of training or competition.