For many of us, what we put into our bodies is an afterthought. Even when we need the energy for high-intensity exercise or running errands, “we’ll squeeze in some time to eat”.
With that mindset, we're likely to have low energy availability, which is simply not eating enough food that the body needs for the activity performed. When this occurs, it puts the body at risk for injury and increases the chance of functioning improperly.
A scientific term for the lack of energy for athletes is called RED-S syndrome, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports. Scientists have identified the following problems that can occur due to a lack of energy and high performance:
Immunological: risk of infection
Bone health: reduced bone density
Metabolism: reduced glycogen stores
We must take into account the activity we perform, so we're aware of how to fuel our bodies with the right amount and types of food. Always remember the foods we eat, movements, and exercises we perform, go hand in hand to maintain our health. We can’t have one without the other.
Source: (1) Wageningen University & Research: Nutrition Exercise & Sports Course (2) Cambridge Dictionary