Welcome to the Asian Athlete Pantry!
“I prefer to eat rice or noodles rather than wraps or sandwiches.”
“I miss Asian food when I’m in training in Europe for long periods.”
These are just some comments I’ve heard from Asian athletes that I work with in high-performance sport.
There’s a persistent misconception that Asian food is too oily, heavy, or imbalanced in macronutrients, making it seem unsuitable for fuelling sports performance.
Most sports nutrition guidelines are centred around Western food recommendations, often overlooking the diversity and nutritional strengths of Asian cuisines.
For Asian athletes living in Western countries, Asian meals are more than just food and fuel - they’re a vital cultural anchor. Being recommended unfamiliar foods, or Westernised versions of familiar dishes, may seem like a small adjustment to the untrained eye. But it’s not. It can lead to cultural food stigma, where athletes may feel self-conscious about eating their traditional foods, especially if it is viewed as “less healthy”.
The consequences of overlooking cultural considerations in sports nutrition for Asian athletes are significant. Cultural disconnect, reduced food intake, increased injury, and poor mental health are just a handful of them. Ultimately, this is detrimental to sports performance.
Asian Athlete Pantry is a publication that blends culture into sports nutrition. It is more than just a collection of Asian home-cooked recipes adapted to align with sports nutrition recommendations for Asian athletes. It is a memoir of personal stories that are woven throughout, making it relatable to many of us who grew up in Western countries. Overall, it showcases Asian meals for their nutritional strengths and as a cultural anchor.
Who is the publication for?
Asian athletes who love their traditional foods and want to fuel their performance with food they are familiar with.
Whether you’re a recreational athlete playing regular social sports or at an elite level representing your country at Olympic/Paralympic Games and World Championships, I’ve got something for you. And if you’re here for the personal stories and cultural feels, I’ve got you covered too.
A little bit about me…
I’m Elaine, a Chinese-Australian Sports Dietitian, and I’ve worked in the high-performance sports system since 2016. I’m kind of like the “food brain” for my athletes. I provide recipe inspiration, encourage proactivity with organising food for their busy schedules, and most importantly, teach them how to fuel their training goals with nutritionally adequate and strategically timed meals.
Occasionally, I am offered opportunities to travel with my sports, where I get to wear my food service hat and coordinate meals for athletes. The picture above? That’s me, bright as ever in Team Australia gear at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with the Australian Shooting Team.
Sport has been part of my life. From chasing the black line up and down the swimming pool, to learning taekwondo, and now Wing Chun - being active is an important part of my well-being.
Staying connected with my cultural roots is also important for my well-being. Food and cooking traditional recipes is one way that helps me do that. In recent years, I’ve become more driven to bridge the gap between cultural heritage and sports nutrition. By blending culture into my sports nutrition work, I offer a unique lens for Asian athletes.
What do you get as a subscriber?
Free Subscribers:
Access to one newsletter post every month - mostly focused on cultural insights and stories about Asian heritage and identity; occasional Asian-centred nutrition tips for daily life
Previews of all my other posts (as part of paid subscriptions)
Paid subscribers: ($10/month, or $110/year if paying annually)
Weekly newsletter posts with full access to all content.
Home-cooked, familiar Asian recipes adapted for athletes - each with a story and a “Sports Nutrition Spotlight” explaining how it supports performance (e.g., boosts iron, supports gut health).
Practical sports nutrition advice through a cultural lens - e.g. Asian snacks for fuelling and recovery, carb-loading with Asian foods, gut health, nutrient spotlights, and more.
A library of sports nutrition resources developed by me
Access to the “Inside the Pantry” community group - ask questions, join discussions, and connect with others.
Q&A sessions where I answer your nutrition questions in depth
Asian-centred nutrition tips for shopping, meal planning, and everyday life -even if you’re not an athlete.
Plus any new future developments!
I look forward to having you as part of my community!
Disclaimer: Please note that information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be personalised advice. Individuals seeking personal advice should consult an Accredited Sports Dietitian.
