Your Teen Athlete Is Eating More but Still Feels Tired and Gets Headaches

If your teen is training hard and eating more — yet still feels exhausted, foggy, or gets frequent headaches — it’s time to dig deeper.

We hear this story from parents all the time:

“My kid is eating constantly, but they’re still wiped out after practice.”
“They sleep 8–9 hours a night but can’t seem to recover.”
“They get lightheaded or complain of a headache during or after games.”

If this sounds familiar, your athlete may be dealing with something that food alone can’t fix.

More Food Doesn’t Always Mean Enough Fuel

Yes, they might be eating more than they used to — but it still may not be enough for the level they’re training at.

Teen athletes often need 3,000+ calories per day, especially during growth spurts or heavy training seasons. Even when they’re “always snacking,” they may still fall short on:

Overall caloric intake
Key nutrients like iron, B12, and vitamin D
Hydration and electrolyte balance

Under eating (even unintentionally) is one of the most common reasons teen athletes feel tired, sore, or foggy — and it often gets missed.

How to Know if Nutrition Gaps Are the Problem

Common signs we see in clinic include:

Headaches during or after workouts
Dizziness when standing up
Constant fatigue, even with enough sleep
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
Muscle soreness that lingers too long
Slow recovery or repeat injuries

These symptoms are often early warning signs of deeper imbalances. Lab testing helps us move from guessing to knowing — so we can catch deficiencies early and support your athlete’s body before it turns into a bigger issue.

Provider Insight: What We’re Seeing in Clinic

“We’ve had multiple athletes come in with fatigue and persistent headaches who thought they were eating enough. In one case, a 16-year-old swimmer was hitting every meal — but her vitamin D was under 20, and her ferritin was barely registering. Once we supported her with nutrition and supplements, her energy, mood, and performance all changed within weeks.”
— Dr. Emma Scaro, DC, Certified in Nutrition Counseling

Our Approach at Chiros in Motion

We offer blood testing specifically designed for active youth. It’s simple, affordable, and tailored to the demands of athletes — no unnecessary labs, just targeted insights.

Tests may include:

Vitamin D
Iron and ferritin
Omega-3 levels
HbA1c (blood sugar regulation)
Inflammation markers
Hydration and electrolyte balance

We combine lab results with clinical insight to create a plan that supports your teen’s energy, recovery, and performance — through real food, hydration strategies, and targeted supplements only when necessary.

What Parents Are Saying

“I had no idea how low my daughter’s vitamin D was until we tested. We adjusted her routine and within weeks her headaches stopped.”
— Parent of a 15-year-old volleyball player “We finally found someone who understands athletes. The blood test gave us clear answers — and my son hasn’t complained of dizziness once since starting the plan.”
— ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Google Review from a local parent