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:
downloads
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
CDE Board Certified Diabetes Educator
CNSC Board Certified Nutrition Support Clinician
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
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