Episode 54: School Year Nutrition Struggles for Gymnasts

The Gymnast Nutritionist® Podcast

The Gymnast Nutritionist® Podcast
Episode 54: School Year Nutrition Struggles for Gymnasts
Jul 17, 2023 Season 1 Episode 54
Christina Anderson MS, RDN, CSSD, CSP

School year nutrition struggles for your gymnast are real.

Raise your hand if the very THOUGHT about packing school lunches and rushed early am breakfasts is giving you nightmares.

You are not alone! I get questions from parents all the time about how to navigate school-year nutrition for their gymnasts.  They share their fueling struggles with the added stress of being away from home for most of the day during the school year.

We're more than halfway through summer and that first day of school is looming. Do you have a plan to do differently this year with your gymnast's school year nutrition? And is it sustainable from August through May?

More than likely, there are those who set the bar TOO high for themselves and then fall off after a couple of weeks because it's too hard to maintain. While there are others who are literally taking it day by day and feel like they're more reactive than proactive with their gymnast school year nutrition. 

I would say that 99% of the gymnasts I work with are dealing with some kind of school-year nutrition struggle, from elementary to college-age athletes.  In today's episode, I'm covering the top 5 school year nutrition issues and what you can do to decrease your own stress while helping your gymnast thrive this year. 

In this episode you'll hear about: 

  • What happens when your gymnast skips breakfast and lunch due to school schedules 
  • The difference between school snacks and performance nutrition snacks
  • When you as the parent need to step in with your student or the school to ensure a fueling-friendly environment

 Links & Resources