Does every gymnast need LESS carbs (or food in general) on lighter training days or rest days?

This is a HOT topic in the gymnastics world and I have some thoughts👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻

Every gymnast needs a different amount of carbohydrate each day. Every gymnast needs a different amount of total energy (food -> calories -> carbs, protein, fat) each day .

But here's the kicker: HOW much they need will vary greatly with health and growth status, training hours/intensity, current performance, etc. So no, you can't crowd source this one by "asking around".

Almost EVERY gymnast training 25-30 hours/week has ZERO business eating less carbs or total food on a rest day (esp if they haven’t gone through puberty because of underfueling).

It’s an uphill battle trying to get enough nutrition in them each day while navigating the energetic cost of growth/development, 25-30 hours/week of training, repair, recovery, etc.

And MOST all of the gymnasts we work with training 20 hours/week are also not getting enough nutrition for what they’re doing— thus, they have zero business eating “less” on a rest day.

In this episode you'll learn about:

• The unique needs and challenges in fueling young gymnasts
• The ONLY gymnasts we have who might eat LESS on rest days or training days
• When to adjust nutrition for gymnasts

Links & Resources

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts
• "Is Your Gymnast Underfueled?" Masterclass
• The Gymnast Summer Training Fueling Formula
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

Things are changing rapidly with NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) which has only made NCAA recruiting more competitive in the gymnastics world.

Besides NIL, most gymnasts are trying to do NCAA gymnastics to get their education paid for (and if they're smart, they'll pursue a degree that means something and open doors). There are lots of ways to make good money, but getting a good education is a good place to start.

A LOT of gymnasts and parents think they have all the time in the world to be in tip top shape for NCAA, but that is just not always the case.

We find that a lot of gymnasts who are only 1-2 years out from June 15th are woefully unprepared for a variety of reasons.

The biggest?

· A string of injuries tied back to unintentional underfueling that have gotten them off-track their skill/level trajectory.

· Performance that’s good but not great (due to fatigue going into training, early fatigue during training, poor recovery, etc)

· Mineral depletion and undetected iron deficiency/recycling issues--- burnout, poor endurance, periods/PMS, etc

· Not focusing enough on gymnastics—all the big name gymnasts who are making money with NIL were good gymnasts BEFORE they become influencers, not the other way around.

Links & Resources:

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts
• Secret Podcast (Episode about Recruiting + Nutrition Timeline)
• Episode 87: The Magic that Happens When Nutrition “Clicks” for your Gymnast [Gymnast INTERVIEW]
• Episode 74: Know Better, Do Better [PARENT INTERVIEW]
• Episode 108: How much does it cost to keep a Level 10 gymnast happy + healthy?
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

If you haven’t heard the news, The Balanced Gymnast® Program is finally open for enrollment! TBG® Program is Christina's signature nutrition coaching program, perfect level 5-10/elite female gymnasts and parents!

Investing in your gymnast's nutrition can feel scary, so this episode features a sample coaching call recorded directly from one of our live program calls all about Performance Nutrition + Hydration.

If you join TBG® Program, you'll get access to live calls every other week with Christina which will teach you exactly how to fuel your gymnast. In addition, you'll get lifetime access to the TBG® curriculum plus 3 months inside our private parent community for even more coaching, support, and accountability.

And, there's an option to add on even more support with 1:1 sessions in addition to the program.

Enrollment for this cohort of the TBG® Program is only open through 8/6 and spots are limited, so don't miss out!

Apply for TBG® Program here: https://christinaandersonrdn.com/program