Does gymnastics stunt growth? It's quite the hot topic and many people weigh in with their own opinions. We've even heard conflicting opinions from medical providers. It's such a big question that it's actually been investigated and researched quite a bit in the past few decades by some heavy hitters such as the International Gymnastics Federation.

Some providers will give you a flippant response like, "gymnastics stunts their growth but it's fine, they'll catch up when they quit". But not growing and developing while in gymnastics should be a big red flag to parents and doctors for underfueling. We need to do our due diligence to determine whether or not they're getting enough nutrition or if something else like a hormonal issue is at play. 

In today's episode, I'm covering the 5 big questions I get on this topic of "does gymnastics stunt growth". Listen in to learn more. 

In this episode you'll hear about: 

• Normal genetic factors in gymnasts' height vs signs of underfueling
• What causes gymnasts height failure - is it all the pounding?
• Why it's not as simple as "they'll grow when they quit" in the long term for gymnasts

   Links & Resources   

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
• Episode 4: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
• Episode 51: No Period, No Problem for the Gymnast? Not quite
• Role of Intensive Training in the Growth and Maturation of Artistic Gymnasts
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

I know so many parents who struggle with their gymnast's nutrition due to picky eating. They know their athlete needs to fuel more, but there's so much push back it feels like a no-win situation. 

In today's episode, I'm breaking down what it means to truly have a picky eater versus dealing with a gymnast who demonstrates finicky eating habits. And what you can do as a parent to get your gymnast on the right track to performance and health. 

I like to equate it with the conditioning every gymnast does. It might feel uncomfortable, but they know it's necessary to lay the foundation of strength they need for big skills and routines. I find when we present nutrition to gymnasts who struggle with picky eating in a similar way, we can begin to move past fueling roadblocks. 

In this episode you'll hear about: 

• Picky eating vs Extreme Picky eating vs Pediatric Feeding Disorder
• What is "finicky eating", how it differs, and its challenges
• Why it's so important to make sure your gymnast is eating enough, even when they struggle with these challenges

   Links & Resources   

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
• Gymnasts and ADHD: What you must know about nutrition
• Episode 36: Gymnast Nutrition and ADHD
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

I know so many struggling gymnasts who think they need to double down on strength training/conditioning at this point of the season, but have never addressed their nutrition. So then they're left wondering why they can't get stronger, faster, or more powerful no matter how much extra conditioning they do. Or maybe they're injured and season is over but they're seeing a PT who doesn't understand gymnastics and isn't doing them any favors. 

Today I'm chatting with CEO of The Physio Fix Dr. Stacie Barber on the symbiotic relationship between nutrition and strength training specifically for gymnasts. Neither one exists in a vacuum and they need to cohesively work together for your gymnast to reach her full potential. Focusing on properly fueling your gymnast is not only about keeping them healthy plus growing and developing (although let's be honest that should be our first focus!). It's also about helping them have the energy and resources to adapt to their training to become powerful enough to do those upper level skills. 

And it's also about using nutrition alongside the correct PT/recovery when your gymnast is out with injury. Listen in to hear more about how your gymnast can integrate their nutrition, strength training, and recovery for their strongest upgrade season yet.

In this episode you'll hear about: 

• The importance of specialized physical therapy in gymnastics
• The role of strength training in gymnastics
• The impact of nutrition and training during puberty

   Links & Resources   

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
• The Physio Fix, helping gymnasts + strength athletes feel better
• Episode 29: NCAA Gymnastics Recruiting and Nutrition - The need to know with Jill Hicks
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

I was asked an interesting question this month about our approach in The Balanced Gymnast® Program. And I found it so compelling, I answered in podcast form!  So, today I'm discussing the how  and why we use a science/research-backed approach to fueling gymnasts. And why that means it's not a one size fits all answer.

In today's episode, I'm pulling back the curtain of how we work as a team, how we designed our program, and how we continue to evolve. We want to make sure we're always supporting and educating our clients with the most up-to-date research. Not fads, not parroted information, not crowd-sourcing, or misinformation. One of the reasons we weave science into our approach to fueling your gymnast is so that you understand the WHY behind what we teach. 

Listen in to hear more about what makes The Balanced Gymnast® Program method so effective and different than everything else out there.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Registered Dietitian vs Nutritionist and why those credentials and training matter
• Why specialized nutritional support looks different for developing athletes than adults
• How we balance a science backed approach to fueling your gymnast to make your life EASIER

 Links & Resources   

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
• Episode 65: Dangerous advice you may get about fueling your gymnast
• Episode 56: What does it mean to "unlock" performance with nutrition?
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

Gymnasts and candy don't usually go together, right? Usually we hear about gymnasts avoiding candy at all costs, especially competitions, to prevent blood sugar crashes. Or parents feel like their kid is already addicted to sugar so why would they ever offer candy to their gymnast?

This is a hot topic and I'm diving in as to why there might be situations where I recommend your gymnast eat candy during a competition. 

Disclaimer: there's always the nuance and the context of the personal application. This episode is not intended to imply that EVERY gymnast needs candy at a competition. This is a topic we take a deep dive in our TBG program because it is so specific to the individual. 

Today I'm discussing what the research says about quick carbs and why using candy in the appropriate situations for your gymnast isn't going to cause a sugar crash when performance matters most. 

In this episode you'll hear about: 

• Why quick carbs are recommend for performance
• Which gymnasts might benefit from candy during competition and which won't
• Digestion and blood sugar regulation during exercise

  Links & Resources  

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
•  Episode 18: Help! My gymnast eats too much sugar!
• The myths surrounding pre-exercise carbohydrate feeding article
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

 When we focus on weight vs performance for gymnasts, most will never quite reach their full potential. Sad but something we see over and over in young elite gymnasts with all the potential in the world but who have to quit due to injury or burnout. 

When we focus on performance and take the focus off the scale, we can focus on properly fueling our gymnasts. And today I'm talking about the elephant in the room of why your gymnast might gain weight when working on nutrition.  

First and foremost I have to say your 15, 16, 17+ year old gymnast should not look like they did when they were 9, 10, 11. Most of the population that we work with are growing and developing pediatric and adolescent gymnasts. Who should be growing and gaining weight. Even gymnasts (male and female) who have gone through puberty should still be experiencing body composition and weight changes. 

We need to step away from the mindset that only certain body types or a certain weight can do gymnastics. Not only is this toxic and dangerous, it simply isn't true. Skills today take a tremendous amount of muscle which is only attainable if your gymnast is properly fueling for the work required.  And that muscle looks different on all body types. 

There are a handful of reasons your gymnast might experience weight gain when they start to work on their nutrition. And that's ok because the science is showing why we need to start focusing on performance vs weight for our gymnasts. Want to know why? Listen in to hear more.  

In this episode you'll hear about: 

• Reasons why a gymnast might gain weight while working on nutrition
• Puberty, genetic factors, and body diversity in gymnastics
• Why weight is not an indication of performance

  Links & Resources  

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
•  Episode 4: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnasts
• Episode 69: Why a gymnast's goal weight might not be their healthiest weight
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

Have you thought about joining The Balanced Gymnast® Program but not sure what kind of results your gymnast will get?

We just wrapped up our three-day Fueled and Focused Challenge, and during one of our Q+A sessions, I had a parent ask a very insightful question. And that was, "what kind of results can my gymnast get from The Balanced Gymnast® Program?"

We know that this sport is expensive at all levels but even more so at the upper/elite levels. It can feel like you're bleeding money due to travel expense, injuries, specialists, physical therapy...

The list is extensive. So I know some parents sit on the fence about investing in their gymnast's nutrition because it seems like there are higher priority items right now.  But I will tell you the biggest complaint we receive about the program is that parents WISH they had found us sooner. 

Want to know more? Listen in to see if you and your gymnast are a good fit

In this episode you'll hear about: 

• The different program tiers within the program - something for everyone
• Why The Balanced Gymnast® Program works and we see such great results
• The life-long benefits of the program community

  Links & Resources  

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
•  Episode 66: Origin Story- The Balanced Gymnast® Program
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

In this episode you'll hear from one of The Balanced Gymnast® Program alumni Lundyn VanderToolen and her mom Julie about their nutrition journey with us over the past few months.

Lundyn went from stuck, struggling, and exhausted this fall to scoring her highest AA EVER and qualifying for the Nastia Liukin Cup in her senior level 10 season. If you don't know, the Nastia Liukin Cup is THE premier gymnastics competition for level 10 gymnasts and it's a huge honor to have qualify.

Inside this episode you'll hear:

•How they learned about TBG® Program (and what prompted them to join)
•What 1:1 coaching is like with us (and how quickly some see results)
• What "clicked" and helped Lundyn own her nutrition
•Why they wish they'd invested in nutrition years ago

If you want to connect with either of them, just DM on Instagram:
Julie Instagram
Lundyn Instagram

Links & Resources
•The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts (enrollment closing soon)
•Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist 

Will your gymnast harness the power of her performance nutrition plan when it matters most, aka at Nationals?  How do you make sure she doesn't crash and burn at the culmination of a season of hard work?

Welcome to the final part of our 4-part series, The Road to Nationals. It's been so much fun over the last few weeks, specifically talking about what can help your gymnast makes the most of their competition season. And hopefully into the post-season big meets!

Because here's the truth.  I've seen gymnasts crush it with their nutrition all season long and then fall apart at Nationals. Why? There are two main observations that I've had while  exclusively working with gymnasts through every phase of training. Two main things that keep gymnasts stuck and struggling. And prevent them from really excelling all season long and reaching their big goals and dreams. 

Want to know more? Listen in to hear to today's final installment on how to best support your gymnast on their Road to Nationals. 

In this episode you'll hear about: 

• When nerves kick in at high pressure meets and what you can do
• How to make sure your gymnast is maximizing practices, even at the end of a long season
• Why underfueling has such an impact on injuries at the upper levels

  Links & Resources  

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
•  Episode 85: Road to Nationals Part 3 - Making every meal count for your gymnast 
• Episode 4: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
•  Episode 46: Nutrition Non-Negotiables for High Level Gymnasts 
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

Is your gymnast making EVERY meal count this competition season? Or is she skipping meals because life just seems too busy and stressful this time of year?

Welcome to part 3 of our 4-part series, The Road to Nationals. Today I'm discussing why at this point of the season it's absolutely crucial to double down on your gymnast's nutrition.

During this point of the season is when we start to see gymnasts gassing out due to lack of energy or endurance, injuries, stress, or any other number of reasons. And some think it really only matters what gymnasts eat on meet days to get peak performance that day.

Here's the thing; yes it's important to make sure our athletes are properly fueled for whatever time their session is. But it's not going to make much of a difference if your gymnast isn't properly fueled in the first place. Every single meal counts for your gymnast in terms of closing the recovery gap and keeping your athlete fueled.

But if your gymnast wants to reach her big goals and dreams, focusing on her daily nutrition now is a non-negotiable. Listen in to hear more about how to best support your gymnast on their Road to Nationals. 

In this episode you'll hear about: 

•  Why high-level gymnasts need every meal, including breakfast and lunch, every day 
• How to navigate the struggle with dinner and post-workout meals
• How to show up to practice each Monday and perform at your highest potential

  Links & Resources  

• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
• Episode 84:Road to Nationals Part 2 - How to Keep your Gymnast Healthy this Season 
• Episode 4: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
• Episode 48: Do Gymnasts Need Snack Breaks?
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com