Welcome back to Fueled Gymnast Fall, a podcast series on what you need to know about fueling your gymnast as we move into this next competitive season. Today I'm answering a question constantly asked around this time of the year, "Should a gymnast “Clean Up” their diet before comp season starts?"

As competition season approaches, many parents and gymnasts start thinking about “cleaning up” their diet; cutting out sugar, eating more salads, or trying to be “extra healthy.” Maybe the gym or coach is making "fueling suggestions" about getting ready for season. But is that actually what your gymnast needs to perform their best? 

In this episode, we dig into what “cleaning up” a gymnast’s diet really means—and why it can sometimes do more harm than good. You’ll learn how well-meaning nutrition changes can unintentionally lead to underfueling, low energy, and even slower recovery right when your gymnast needs to be at her strongest. 

If you’ve ever wondered whether your gymnast should “tighten up” their eating before meets begin, this episode will give you the truth—and a better plan for fueling confidence, strength, and success this season. 

 In this episode you'll hear about:   

•  Why “eating cleaner” doesn’t always equal better performance 
•  The top 3 tips when it comes to pre-season fueling advice

  Links & Resources   

• Episode 176 – Fueled Gymnast Fall: Are so many gymnasts really underfueled?
• Episode 10: Do Gymnasts Need to “Eat Clean” to be Successful?
• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com