Episode 68: Diet Culture and Disordered Gymnastics with Leslie Schilling MA, RDN, CSCS, CEDS-S

Has your gymnast ever come to you and said they want to start eating “healthier”? Is this normal? Is it a red flag for something else? How does a parent know when/if diet culture or disordered eating is taking root in their gymnast? Do you know what disordered eating even looks like for a gymnast?

In today’s podcast, I sit down with a very special guest. My very own mentor and the dietician with whom I do my professional supervision. Leslie has an incredible background in sports nutrition, as well as disordered eating and eating disorders.

More than we realize, us parents often have complicated relationships with food due to our own upbringing and influences. And whether we like it or not, diet culture is not only rampant in society in large, but it heavily influences the nutritional advice coaches and parents often default to.

Listen to today’s episode to learn more. 

In this episode you’ll hear about: 

• The difference between disordered eating and eating disorders and how they fall on a spectrum
• Is there ever a “safe” way to get a gymnast to lose weight/slim down?
• A roadmap for parents who might see influences of diet culture or disordered eating in their gymnast and when to seek help

 Links & Resources 

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
• Episode 4: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
• Leslie Schilling Instagram and Feed Yourself book link
• Take the Quiz
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or support@christinaandersonrdn.com