Episode 137: Will working on nutrition give your gymnast a “complex”

I hear it from parents all the time. They KNOW their gymnast isn’t fueling enough for their training…BUT they worry if they bring up nutrition, they’ll either give their gymnast a complex OR it’ll just turn into another battle. 

I totally get that it’s a sensitive topic. Parents worry that if they bring up nutrition that it will cause problems with either the gymnast’s relationship with food in their body…or it will cause relationship issues between the gymnast and the parent.

But, fueling for the work required is not just an abstract concept that can be avoided because it’s uncomfortable. It is the foundation of having a healthy and happy gymnast who is reaching their full potential. Just like “you can’t spend money you don’t have”, your gymnast cannot safely and productively train on an empty tank.

If you worry that working on nutrition might give your gymnast a “complex” then today’s episode is a MUST listen.

In this episode you’ll hear about:  

• Why the language we use around food is so important
• Fueling and sport nutrition is different than just “eating healthfully”
• If there are big emotions around being told to fuel adequately, there’s usually something else going on

Links & Resources    

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
• Episode 120: What age does your gymnast need nutrition support?
• Episode 113: The 5 Stages of Underfueling- Gymnast Edition
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com