The energy bar I wish I'd had - because no athlete should lose the sport they love simply because they were never taught how to fuel.

I grew up in Spain with sport at the centre of everything. Years of hard work led me to a Division I athletics scholarship in the United States—a dream I'd worked towards for years.

But like many athletes, I was never taught how to fuel properly or how much I needed to eat. I believed eating less and staying lean would make me a better runner. Instead, I was unknowingly under-fuelling.

At just 17, I tore my Achilles as a result of RED-S. I also struggled with IBS and was told to cut out more and more foods, rather than addressing the real issue: I wasn't giving my body enough energy.

That's why I created RED-SCUE.

Inspired by the whole-food, carbohydrate-rich staples I'd grown up around in southern Spain, and the fuelling traditions of East African endurance athletes, RED-SCUE is built around cassava and plantain to provide convenient, gut-friendly carbohydrate energy.

Founders of Global RED-S Awareness Day

Most people haven't heard of REDs (also spelled RED-S)

But we see it everywhere.

REDs (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) is the clinical term for what happens when you don't eat enough to support your training, output, stress, recovery, and daily life (i.e., too much output for the input).

What is REDs?

REDs (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) is the clinical term for what happens when you don't eat enough to support your training, output, stress, recovery, and daily life (i.e., too much output for the input).

Who does it affect?

And it's not just elite athletes—it's people in the gym, doing classes, training for HYROX, running, lifting.

The impact on your body

Research shows low energy availability (LEA) can impact all 11 systems in the body, including hormones, bone health, metabolism, immunity, and recovery.

More training. Less food. Cutting carbs. It's often framed by society as discipline. But over time, the body goes into survival mode.

It shows up as:

  • Low energy during sessions
  • Poor recovery between workouts
  • Frequent injuries or niggles
  • Loss of appetite after training

And it's confusing… because you're doing more, not less. This is what under-fuelling looks like.

67.8% of athletes and active people experience REDs and 95.8% underfuel carbs

RED-S Research & Stats

This isn't just elite sport

Under-fuelling is seen across ALL sports, ALL ages, ALL genders, including:

  • Endurance (running, cycling, rowing)
  • High-intensity events like HYROX
  • Team sports and gym training
  • Busy, high-stress lifestyles

It's also influenced by behaviour. For example:

  • ADHD is linked to inconsistent eating patterns and meal skipping
  • Appetite often drops after intense training
  • Busy schedules make consistent fuelling difficult
  • Shift workers constantly on the go

So the issue isn't always knowledge — it's easy, accessible, practical solutions. That is why RED-Scue exists.

Global REDS Awareness Day

When: 21st Nov
Week: 16–22 Nov
Month: November
Certified by Sport England, Active Partnership & Supported by Dr Nicky Keay & Renee McGregor

This initiative educates athletes, coaches, and active people about the risks of under-fuelling, including effects on energy, hormones, bones, immunity, and performance.

We focus on:

  • Spotting low energy early
  • Evidence-based fuelling strategies
  • Breaking the stigma around nutrition and recovery

Webinars, events, and practical solutions like RED-Scue Energy Bars

Awareness is the first step to preventing injury and restoring energy — with real, whole-food fuelling, not pills or protein obsession. Look out for our 2026 events!

Education & Resources