The holidays mean something different to everyone. Their arrival may have you taking stock of your year, or you may find yourself immersed in holiday parties and family time. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the festive season or feel a special empathy for the green monster in Dr. Suess’s ‘The Grinch’, swimmers tend to have one special thing in common.

There's lots of information out there on how to eat right when you're training, what foods to include, how much water to drink, and what's the right carb-protein ratio. One of the nutrition trends that athletes sometimes consider is carb-loading. Depending on your situation and your sport, it may be helpful, but let's discuss if it should be a part of a nutrition plan for swimmers....