My approach to supporting gymnasts, parents, and coaches comes from my own experience as a high-level gymnast that struggled with food and her body. Like many of you, my career was plagued with injuries that were largely related to underfueling, though I was clueless as to the effects my nutrition had on my body and performance.
I didn’t learn to fuel and nourish my body until college, which was after my gymnastics career had ended. So much of what I write and speak about is what I wish I could have told my 16-year-old gymnast self.
As I became more involved in nutrition, I realized very quickly that a “one-size-fits-all” approach and “just do it” don’t work. Not only does this not work, but this approach often makes the food + body situation worse.
I’m a pediatric and adolescent sports dietitian nutritionist that specializes in nutrition for the gymnast.
FOUNDER & CEO of
The Gymnast Nutritionist
®
Together we can learn about the body’s energy needs and how all foods can fit. And, we can together create a way of eating that supports sports performance and a healthy relationship with food + body.
As a former competitive artistic gymnast, current Developmental Program/NCAA women’s gymnastics judge, and someone who works in the sport of gymnastics each day, I get you. I understand your struggles, the cultural challenges, and pressure that you and our gymnasts face.
To help gymnasts learn to fuel their bodies for optimal performance and longevity in the sport.
My Mission:
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Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, University of Arkansas
Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
RDN Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and LD Licensed Dietitian
CSSD Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics
CSP Board Certified Pediatric & Adolescent Specialist
National Developmental Program and NCAA rated US Women’s Gymnastics Judge
Member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, The Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitian Association, USA Gymnastics, and the National Association of Women’s Gymnastics Judges
Nutrition Consultant to USA Gymnastics Athlete Wellness Committee
Professional Credentials
Switched from ballet to gymnastics after a friend invited me to come with her to a practice
Got invited to the competitive team, found a new level of strength, power, and flexibility
The injuries started…sprained ankles, Achilles tendon issues, fractured back, etc. Always on the comeback from an injury it seemed. Started “researching” about nutrition and healthy eating, thought I was doing all the right things but was actually underfueling. Always tired, always injured, struggling in the gym with strength power, etc.
Continued to struggle with nutrition, injuries, etc and new that dreams of NCAA gymnastics were gone.
Injured again fall of my senior year of high school, retired from gymnastics to focus on academics since unable to compete that season due to injuries. Still really struggling with food and how to fuel, which only got worse.
Graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Nutrition, honestly more confused than ever as still struggling with everything I’d learned about nutrition during gymnastics
Finished my training as a dietitian at Duke and was hired by the University of Oklahoma Pediatric Endocrinology. Learned how to fuel my body and realized how many mistakes I made as a gymnast, even though I ate so “healthfully”
Got married, moved to Wyoming with my husband who is an engineer in the USAF and started Christina Anderson RDN | The Gymnast Nutritionist®
Launched The Balanced Gymnast® Method, our signature framework for fueling the competitive gymnast
Continues to serve thousands of gymnasts each year through The Balanced Gymnast® Program, team talks, and consulting
Board Certified Pediatric & Adolescent Registered Dietitian Sports Nutritionist, Pediatric & Adolescent Expert | Christina, also known as The Gymnast Nutritionist®, is an expert in pediatric/adolescent sports nutrition, disordered eating/underfueling, and GI issues. She has an extensive background in gymnastics as former competitive gymnast and has served for 15 years as Nationally Rated Developmental Program and NCAA Women’s Artistic Gymnastics judge.
MS, RDN, CSSD, CSP
Meet your Program Sports Dietitians :
DCN, RDN, CSPCC, LD
MS, RDN, CSSD, CDCES
Board Certified Pediatric & Adolescent Specialist, Registered Dietitian Sports Nutritionist, Pediatric & Adolescent Expert | Melissa is an expert in pediatric/adolescent sports nutrition, child feeding, picky eating, disordered eating, and fueling young athletes with special healthcare needs. She is the mom to two little girls, one a level 8 gymnast so she know exactly what it's like to fuel young, growing gymnasts – especially those struggling with picky eating, neurodivergence, and other healthcare conditions.
Board Certified Registered Dietitian Sports Nutritionist, Pediatric Expert | Cecelia is a former competitive gymnast, current marathoner, and has spent years working with children and adolescents of all ages and various health conditions.
MS, RDN
Board Certified Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Sports Nutrition Expert | Gianna Masi is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), sports nutrition specialist, and certified personal trainer with a deep passion for athlete wellness. A former competitive gymnast and NCAA Division I collegiate rower and team captain, Gianna brings firsthand experience and empathy to her work with athletes.
MS, RDN, CISSN
In the 3-month Balanced Gymnast® Nutrition Coaching Program, we'll share what your gymnast should be eating to increase her energy and endurance while reducing her risk for injury.
MS, RDN
MS, RDN
Board Certified Sports Dietitian, Board Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist, Registered Dietitian Sports Nutritionist, Pediatric & Adolescent Expert | Megan is a former gymnast, current marathoner and run coach, and has worked at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia part time for 20 years a diabetes educator and pediatric dietitian in their renowned pediatric endocrinology clinic. She also works with their sports medicine physicians to support injured athletes and those diagnosed with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.
Board Certified Pediatric/Adolescent Sports Dietitian Nutritionist | Ryann is an expert in fueling children/adolescents with food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, Celiac Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and generalized abdominal pain. Ryann completed her master’s degree and dietetic internship at the Pennsylvania State University and her undergraduate degree at James Madison University.
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Christina regularly lectures at gymnastics clubs, clinics, and conferences including USAG Regional and National Congress.
Her practice Christina Anderson RDN | The Gymnast Nutritionist® provides nutrition therapy, coaching, and support to competitive gymnasts and their families - helping them unlock optimal performance and longevity in the sport through a realistic approach to nutrition.
She loves helping families create feeding and fueling strategies that support their young athletes and are easy to continue for years to come. Melissa has spent the entirety of her career thus far working in pediatric nutrition, beginning with University of Nebraska in Sports Nutrition, their Childhood Obesity Programming, and working in pediatric inpatient rehabilitation. Melissa regularly speaks on various pediatric nutrition topics in many academic and non-academic settings, including nutrition Team Talks for gymnastics clubs. Melissa is also completing her Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition at Rutgers University. She currently serves on committees in the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group and is also a CDR Specialist and subject matter expert for the CSPCC Exam.
Megan has been a registered dietitian/nutritionist (RDN) since 1994 and has worked at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia since 2001. She is a Board Certified Specialist Sports Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator, specializing in sports nutrition, cardiovascular health, and diabetes education. Megan is a prolific writer for Runnerclick, an online running training program, and has been published in numerous nutrition journals and books. She received her Bachelors of Science in Dietetics at the University of Vermont and Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology at West Chester University. She’s the mom of two boys and loves working with families of youth and adolescent athletes.
Gianna takes a comprehensive approach to performance nutrition, integrating elements of sports medicine, body image, training and recovery. Her expertise spans all levels-from youth and high school athletes to collegiate and professional teams.
In addition to her nutrition credentials, Gianna is a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), providing trauma-informed, body-centered care to support athlete resilience. She is an active member of the American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association (ASPDA) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
GYMNASTICS NUTRITION
Learn to fuel the gymnast for optimal performance and longevity in the sport.
For Gymnast Clubs, Camps,
and Conferences:
+ Support your gymnasts and parents in learning to fuel
+ Create a pro-fueling culture to improve performance and increase longevity
Team Talks
For gymnasts and parents:
+ Female level 5-10/elite
+ Gymnasts with big goals and dreams
+ Who want 1:1 support
The Balanced
Gymnast® Program
For gymnasts and parents:
+ Want to fast-track their learning
+ Young, high-level gymnasts who want to learn
+ Prefer a self-paced course