Episode 125: [Fueled Gymnast Fall] How to help your gymnast with nutrition if they’re stuck, struggling, or injured

At this point of the year, parents ask if nutrition is something their gymnast should focus on while they’re injured.

A lot of gymnasts are injured right now and won’t even have a competition season. Or some are in the process of coming back and things feel uncertain. Or others are currently in pain but in are denial and hoping it will go away. 

It’s easy to assume there are other things an injured gymnast should focus on besides nutrition. However, the bottom line is the best time to work on your gymnast’s nutrition was 2 years ago (or even earlier).  

BUT, the next best time to work on nutrition is NOW.  And it can sometimes be easier to work on nutrition because a gymnast has MORE time.  Sometimes it’s hard to jump in with a gymnast training 20, 30 hours a week and get their nutrition where it needs to be (which is sometimes double their current intake). When a gymnast is not at gym or only partially, it’s less challenging and then we can ramp things back up as they progress in the gym.  

Welcome to the fourth episode of our series, Fueled Gymnast Fall. Now is the time to make changes and adjustments before competition season. Especially if your gymnast is injured and has never focused on nutrition.

In this episode you’ll hear about: 

• How to take an honest look at their growth/development and nutrition.
• Importance of having a honest conversation about what’s going on in the gym
• Why you need to address the aches and pains now

 Links & Resources 

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
• Episode 24: Using Nutrition to Optimize Injury Recovery for the Gymnast
• Enter the Fueled Gymnast Fall Podcast Giveaway
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or support@christinaandersonrdn.com