Episode 184: What to feed your gymnast when they're injured

Does your gymnast really need to eat less when she’s injured?
This is one of the most common and most damaging assumptions parents make during time off from the gym. In this episode, we break down gymnast nutrition needs during injury and why cutting food, especially carbohydrates, often does the opposite of what parents intend.

When a gymnast is injured, her body isn’t “doing less.” It’s working overtime. And 99% of high level gymnasts have no business eating less during recovery. Under-fueling during injury slows repair and can turn a short recovery window into a long, frustrating setback. Or lead to re-injury sooner than later. 

We’ll talk about:

• Why injury is not the time to “clean up” or restrict food
• How under-fueling during injury increases time out of the gym
• The critical role carbs play in repair and recovery
• Why eating less raises the risk of re-injury when training resumes
• How to fuel strategically so your gymnast comes back stronger, not depleted

If your gymnast is injured or you want to prevent a slow, incomplete recovery in the future, this episode will help you rethink how nutrition supports healing and long-term performance.

🎧 Listen now and learn more about your gymnast's needs during injury; how to fuel recovery the smart way.

Links & Resources

• Episode 135: How to Support Your Gymnast’s Nutrition When it’s a Rebuilding Season
• Episode 20: 8 Truths About Injury Nutrition for the Gymnast
• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com