Herbalife is expanding its global “Fuel Like Ronaldo” campaign with in-competition fueling guidance, highlighting the 15-minute halftime break as one of the most important fueling windows of a match and the moment when the second half is decided.
While halftime may pause play, it remains one of the most important moments for athletes to refuel and prepare for the second half. According to Herbalife’s sports performance experts, what happens during these 15 minutes can influence speed, reaction time and endurance once play resumes.
“Most fans see halftime as a break. We see it as the most important fueling window of the match,” said Dr. Krissy Ladner, Director of Sports Performance and Nutrition Education at Herbalife. “Fifteen minutes of focused refueling can be the difference between holding pace through the second half and watching it slip away.”
The “Fuel Like Ronaldo” framework breaks halftime fueling into three priorities. Carbohydrates: 30 to 60 grams of easy-to-digest simple carbs, typically a sports drink plus a banana, a carbohydrate gel or a small handful of energy chews, to top up muscle glycogen for high-intensity work and refuel the brain and nervous system. Electrolytes: sodium is the priority, since it holds fluid in the body and keeps athletes from falling behind on hydration. Fluid volume: 12 to 24 fluid ounces during the halftime window, supported by a steady rate of 4 to 8 fluid ounces every 15 minutes across the full match to minimize body weight change and help cool core temperature.
The same principles apply at every level. Weekend players, runners, cyclists and anyone exercising for more than 60 minutes or sweating visibly can benefit from sodium, and when training is hard enough to make breathing heavy, carbohydrates. These needs only increase when training outdoors in summer heat, when athletes sweat more and lose electrolytes faster. The simplest habit is to drink consistently rather than waiting until thirst sets in, and to add electrolytes during longer or sweat-heavy sessions instead of relying on water alone.
Through the “Fuel Like Ronaldo” campaign, inspired by global sports icon Cristiano Ronaldo, Herbalife continues to translate sports nutrition science into practical guidance that helps individuals prepare, perform, recover and repeat.
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