Table 3.

Additional factors that athletes reported as influencing their food choices.

Category	Responses
Preference (n = 5)	When there is too much seasoning in food. I think that the food is good. I love eating and also love cooking. I always making my food different creative style and yummy. I am always happy with simple food. I eat what is available where I live and what I like to eat. Moods, how hungry I am on that day and what type of food I am eating.
Exploratory eating (n = 4)	Visiting other countries usually influences me to try their national local or famous dishes. Celebrating birthdays or special occasions has an influence on my choices as well. Being an athlete has the most influence on my regular choices or “often” choices but there will be some days that afford a “cheat day”. Wanting to taste other continents food or cooking. Something I enjoy and can only get outside of Fiji. Curiosity about foods that I am not familiar with.
Competition phase (n = 4)	Competition day - nervous often (decrease food volume, increase sports drink). Summer time - off season, so eating basically what I want. Highlight: food before and after competition. One of the big factors is the loss or gain weight for everybody before or between the competition.
Weather (n = 4)	The temperature of the room I am in and the country I am in. Weather condition, time, the food I am given. The weather e.g., Cold =soup, warm =salad/cold food. Due to my busy schedule, I eat food that is “on-the-go”. Cold weathers result to warm food, and vice versa.
Food safety (n = 1)	The comfort of the environment where the food I have is purchased or being stored (condition of the marketplace and the seller’s health permit). “healthy food environment”.
Transport (n = 1)	Transport/car, e.g., can I take a massive watermelon on the bus.