Energy and nutritional diet distribution during the intervention (CG and EG).
*(lunch in this Mediterranean population)During the intervention, CG followed a diet consisting of pre-established menus and food combinations. Each day, players had to select one option from four different breakfasts, seven snacks/lunches, seven main meals and seven dinners. They were not allowed to substitute any food or ingredients. They were encouraged to vary their choices from the pre-established menu options. Different options were equivalent among them. In contrast, EG players were given exchange lists and instructed to create their own menus within the specified guidelines. The exchange list included food equivalents that could be swapped out for each other. The exchange list included CHO and PROT equivalents which provided a consistent amount of nutrients per serving: the exchangeable CHO equivalents provided 10 g of CHO, while the exchangeable PROT equivalents provided 7 g of PROT. EG players were able to make daily adjustments to their menus and exchange food and ingredients as needed. Fats and oils used in the cooking and dressings were not included in the dietetic indications because the general recommendations were the same in both groups. During the entire intervention, all subjects had access to a professional nutritionist to address any related questions.