Nutrition is a 100% controllable factor for gymnasts. What do I mean by that? When everyone else is doing the same thing, what will help your gymnast stand out from the rest?
Knowledge is power. And the understanding of “how to” when it comes to fueling a high-level gymnast can make all the difference in this sport. When every other gymnast with big goals and dreams is putting in the same hours in the gym, what is going to give your athlete the edge? What is going to keep them healthy, prevent burnout, and reach those goals?
For gymnasts, nutrition is the number one most controllable factor in doing everything we can as parents, coaches, and medical providers to support these athletes. Adequately fueling for the work required is the greatest gift we can give them to take their performance to the next level. But it doubles as a bonus. Because it’s also the best way we can ensure their bodies and minds grow and recover appropriately.
But it can be tough to know if your gymnast is eating enough, what to feed them, and the timing of it all. And it gets even tougher when you’re dealing with a gymnast who’s “never hungry” or a picky eater.
There are so many pros to the temporary discomfort of standing your ground and holding the boundary as parents when it comes to adequately fueling. By making sure your gymnast is eating enough, you’re giving them the best chance of success both in and out of this sport. And the good news, is your gymnast will likely come around to these changes, especially when they feel better
Listen in to hear to help you reframe two things that are true: Gymnastics is a privilege. And it’s your job as a parent to keep them safe.
In this episode you’ll hear about:
- What you as a parent can do to protect your gymnast’s health + your investment in the sport.
- Why underfueling is a safety concern during training and when parents need to step in
- The gold standard nutritional approach for adolescents
Links & Resources
- The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts
- Episode 57: How do I get my gymnast to eat enough?
- Episode 4: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
- Episode 31: Investing in Your Gymnast’s Nutrition for Sport & Life
- Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or support@christinaandersonrdn.com
on the blog