USA Wrestling Senior Sports Dietitian Nuwanee Tamaki contributes to American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association Women’s Wrestling Nutrition Guide

August 4, 2026 - 17:54

The American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association, known as ASPDA, has released a detailed nutrition guide built specifically for women's wrestling. The project was led by Nuwanee Tamaki, the senior sports dietitian for USA Wrestling, working alongside Virginia Tech's associate athletics director for sports nutrition. Together, they put together a resource that addresses the unique needs of female wrestlers, who often face challenges that male athletes do not.

The guide covers weight management, fueling for training, and recovery after competition, with a focus on safe and sustainable practices. It also tackles topics like maintaining energy while cutting weight, which has long been a problem area in the sport. Tamaki said the goal was to give athletes and coaches practical, science-backed advice that can be used at every level, from high school to the international stage.

What makes this guide stand out is that it was written by people who work directly with wrestlers every day. It is not a generic nutrition pamphlet. It includes real-world scenarios, meal timing suggestions, and hydration strategies that fit the demands of wrestling practice and tournament schedules.

The ASPDA hopes the guide will become a standard reference for programs across the country. Coaches, athletic trainers, and team doctors are also encouraged to use it when planning support for their athletes. For now, the guide is available through the association's website, and Tamaki and her colleagues plan to update it as new research comes out.