The Gymnast Nutritionist® Podcast
Christina Anderson MS, RDN, CSSD, CSP 216 episodes Nov 9, 2026
The Gymnast Nutritionist® Podcast is a free resource hosted by Christina Anderson, a board certified pediatric and adolescent registered dietitian nutritionist, former gymnast, and nationally rated gymnastics judge. The show helps gymnasts, their parents, and coaches learn how to fuel athletes for optimal performance and longevity in the sport. Episodes cover practical, low-stress approaches to nutrition as well as tough topics like body image and fueling culture in gymnastics. The tone is candid and conversational, with plenty of real talk aimed at taking a proactive approach to nutrition.
Episodes
Episode 221: Why Gymnasts Implode Mid-Season (Burning the Candle at Both Ends)
Every year, somewhere between the first meet and the middle of the season, the same messages start coming in. She's exhausted all the time. She's been sick three times since Christmas. She's falling on skills she's had for two years. And parents always ask, "What happened? She was doing so great." Nothing happened all at once. Your gymnast has been burning the candle
Episode 220: What Should My Gymnast Eat Before a Meet? Fueling for 8 AM, Midday and Evening Sessions
"What should she eat before the meet?" is the #1 question I get from parents every comp season, and my answer is always the same: it depends on what time her session is. An 8 a.m. session, a 1 p.m. session and a 6 p.m. session are three completely different fueling days. A lot of the mid-meet meltdowns we see (the crash in warm-ups, the stomach ache on beam, the gymnast with nothing left
Does Gymnastics Stunt Growth? [REPLAY]
🎧 Replay! Winter 2027 early enrollment for The Balanced Gymnast® Program opens November 1st at current prices -- apply now to lock in your spot.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 res
Episode 219: Does Your Gymnast Have REDs? What's Changed Since 2022 (and What Parents Need to Know Before Comp Season)
Four years ago, our RED-S episode became one of the most downloaded episodes of this podcast. A lot has changed since then. In 2023, the International Olympic Committee updated how REDs (relative energy deficiency in sport, or underfueling) is defined and screened for, and most gymnastics parents, coaches and doctors haven't caught up. If your gymnast is heading into comp season tired, banged
Episode 218: What Gymnasts Who Score 38+ All-Around Do Differently With Their Fueling
Your gymnast doesn't need a perfect diet to score 38+ in the all-around, but she does need these three things. I'm sharing exactly what I see in our gymnasts who are going to nationals year after year and getting full-ride offers right now.In this episode:→ Why eating "healthy" and eating ENOUGH are not the same thing, and why comp nutrition starts the other 364 days of the yea
Episode 217: How to Get Your Gymnast Bought In to Nutrition (Without Becoming the Food Police)
"She thinks she's fine." "She gets annoyed every time I bring up nutrition." "She thinks you're going to tell her what she can and can't eat." So does your gymnast need to be fully bought in before she can get help? If you know your gymnast needs better fueling but every conversation about food ends in eye rolls or a slammed door, this episode is for yo
Episode 216: Your Gymnast Ate Breakfast, Lunch + a Snack…So Why Is She DONE by 6:30?
"She eats breakfast." "She had lunch at school." "She had a snack before practice." So why is your gymnast completely DONE by 6:30? If your gymnast consistently falls apart halfway through practice (heavy legs, a vault going nowhere, routines she can't make), this episode is for you. When it comes to gymnast fueling for practice, Christina makes the case that eat
Ep 215: The Real Cost of Waiting to Fix Your Gymnast's Fueling
"Let's see how she does once season starts." "She's growing, so this is probably normal." "We'll deal with it if it becomes a bigger problem." If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Christina makes the case that waiting doesn't keep your gymnast at baseline — if there's an underlying fueling problem, and most of the time ther
Episode 214: Why Gymnast Families Just Ask for Nutrition Help
So many parents come to us feeling like they're the only ones struggling like something must be uniquely wrong with their gymnast when nothing seems to be working, despite doing everything "right." In this episode, Christina shares something she's never broken down publicly before: an analysis of the last 30 applications for The Balanced Gymnast Program, and the real reasons fa
Episode 213: Is Underfueling Behind Your Gymnast's Mood Swings?
So much of the anxiety, irritability, meltdowns, and attitude we see from preteen and teen gymnasts gets chalked up to "teenage hormones" or being a moody teenager. And yes, puberty is messy — brains are developing, school is harder, friendships are more complicated, and gymnastics only gets more demanding as the levels advance.But what most parents and coaches don't realize is that
Episode 212: A Tale of Two Gymnasts- Pre-Season Edition
So much of the fatigue, skill plateaus, injuries, and burnout we see in gymnasts gets chalked up to gymnastics just being hard—and yes, it is. But that doesn't mean all of these struggles are normal.The problem? You don't know what you don't know. And you can't necessarily look at your gymnast's teammates as the benchmark when many of them are likely underfueling and strug
Episode 211: Nutrition for Gymnasts- Surgery Edition
Your gymnast needs surgery, and the first fear that shows up for her, for you, maybe for her coaches is that she's going to "get fat" and lose everything she's worked for. Christina is here to tell you that's not the goal, and it's not even the right question.In this episode, Christina walks through nutrition before, during, and after gymnastics surgery, and why this
Episode 210: What to Do When Your Gymnast's Lunch Comes Home
You packed the sandwich, the fruit, the veggie, the calcium and it comes home half eaten, with the chips and dessert gone first. Sound familiar? Before you assume your gymnast just isn't trying, there's usually a real reason behind it.In this episode, Christina continues the back-to-school series by troubleshooting one of the most common frustrations parents bring to her: the lunch that
Episode 209: How to Schedule Meals and Snacks for Back-to-School
Is your gymnast's schedule about to fall apart the second school starts back up? If breakfast gets skipped, snacks get squeezed out, and dinner turns into whatever's fastest after a nine o'clock pickup, she's not the only one who's going to feel it.In this episode, Christina makes the case that back-to-school success for a gymnast comes down to one thing: the schedule. Whe
Episode 208: 6 Summer Fueling Mistakes That Follow Gymnasts Into Fall
Have you noticed your gymnast eating fine on paper but still getting hurt, running out of steam, or feeling behind as fall training ramps up, and assumed she just needs to push harder?It's tempting to think the issue is training, or toughness, or just "kids get tired in summer." But in this episode, Christina breaks down six patterns she's seeing in one-on-one sessions right no
Episode 207: Why "Just Lose Weight" Won't Fix Your Gymnast's Puberty Struggles
Have you noticed your gymnast suddenly feeling weaker or struggling with skills she used to hit easily, and wondered if she's just gained "too much weight"?It's tempting to think the fix is simple: get her lighter and the skills will come back. But in this episode, Christina explains why that logic misses something important, and why "just lose weight" almost always b
Episode 206: Should Gymnasts Weigh Less to Prevent Injury?
Have you ever heard a coach or well-meaning adult say something like "gymnasts need to watch their weight so there's less pressure on their joints"?It sounds scientific. It sounds logical. And it can make a parent start to wonder if their gymnast should be smaller to protect her joints.But here is the problem: that statement only tells half the story.In this episode, Christina break
Episode 205: Why Your Gymnast Needs Two Meals Before Summer Training
Have you noticed your gymnast sleeping in later this summer and then heading straight to practice after only one meal?Maybe practice starts at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, or even early afternoon. And because it falls in that awkward window between breakfast and lunch, it can be hard to know what your gymnast actually needs to eat before training.But here is the problem:One meal before a four- to five-
Episode 204: Do Gymnasts Really Need Sports Drinks?
Have you ever wondered if your gymnast actually needs a sports drink at practice?Maybe you have seen other athletes drinking Gatorade, Powerade, Liquid I.V., LMNT, Prime, BodyArmor, or electrolyte packets and wondered if your gymnast should be doing the same.Or maybe you have heard that sports drinks are “toxic,” full of sugar, dyes, or ingredients your gymnast should avoid.But here is the problem
Episode 203: 5 Lessons Learned in 11+ years as a Peds/Adolescent Sports Dietitian for Gymnasts
Have you ever wondered if your gymnast is actually eating enough to support everything her body is being asked to do?Maybe she is training hard, dealing with injuries, struggling with fatigue, or trying to keep up as her body grows and changes.And maybe from the outside, everything looks mostly fine.But here is the problem: underfueling in gymnastics is often much more common than most parents rea
Episode 202: What ChatGPT doesn’t know about your gymnast’s nutrition: AI can’t get your kid to eat right
Are you asking ChatGPT, AI, Google, or Facebook groups how to get your gymnast to eat better?Maybe you already know she needs breakfast, more snacks, more protein, more carbs, or better recovery fuel. Maybe you have asked AI for meal plans, snack ideas, calorie needs, or supplement recommendations.And maybe the answer sounded helpful.But here is the problem: AI can tell you what your gymnast might
Episode 201: What ChatGPT Doesn’t Know About Your Gymnast’s Supplements
Are you asking ChatGPT, AI, or Facebook groups what supplements your gymnast needs?Maybe your gymnast is tired, sore, injured, getting sick often, struggling to recover, or not gaining strength — and as a parent, you just want to help.So you ask: Does she need magnesium? Iron? Creatine? Electrolytes? Protein powder? A multivitamin?But when it comes to pediatric and adolescent gymnasts, supplements
Episode 200: What ChatGPT Doesn't Know About Your Gymnast's Nutrition: Calorie Needs
Are you asking ChatGPT, AI, or an online calculator how many calories your gymnast needs?It might seem like a simple question.But when it comes to pediatric and adolescent gymnasts, calorie needs are anything but simple.In this episode, Christina continues her four-part series on what ChatGPT and AI do not know about your gymnast’s nutrition, and today’s focus is calorie needs.Because while AI can
Episode 199: What ChatGPT Doesn’t Know About Your Gymnast’s Nutrition
Are you using ChatGPT, AI, or a generic meal plan to figure out what your gymnast should be eating?AI can be helpful for a lot of things, but when it comes to your gymnast’s nutrition, growth, development, injuries, training load, and recovery, there are major limitations parents need to understand.In this episode, Christina kicks off a four-part series on what ChatGPT and AI do not know about you
Episode 198: How to Fuel Your Gymnast for Summer Upgrade Season
Is your gymnast heading into summer training with big goals, upgrade dreams, or hopes of moving up a level this fall?Summer in gymnastics may be short, but it is one of the most important times of year for building strength, power, endurance, and new skills.But your gymnast cannot get stronger, recover well, or make the most of upgrade season if they are under-fueled.In this episode, Christina bre
Episode 197: What Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About Your Gymnast’s Injury and Nutrition
Has your gymnast been told their injury is “just overuse,” “just part of gymnastics,” or something they’ll grow out of?Have you asked the doctor if nutrition could help — only to be told to “eat healthy,” take vitamin D, or maybe add a multivitamin?For many injured gymnasts, that advice is not enough.In this episode, Christina breaks down the connection between nutrition, under-fueling, growth, de
Episode 196: What should your gymnast weigh?
Is your gymnast going through puberty and suddenly looking slower, less powerful, or less consistent in the gym?Has a coach, pediatrician, or even your own worry made you wonder if your gymnast’s weight or changing body is the problem?This is one of the most sensitive and misunderstood topics in gymnastics and when it’s handled the wrong way, it can cause serious harm to a gymnast’s relationship w
Episode 195: Help! My gymnast only wants to eat “junk food”
Did it feel like your gymnast was constantly asking for sugar, snacks, or “junk food” no matter how much you tried to offer balanced meals?Do meals feel like a struggle, leaving you second-guessing what you’re doing?If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone and it may not be what you think.In this episode, we’re unpacking one of the most common (and misunderstood) challenges parents face: when you
Episode 194: The Must-Know About Fueling TOPS, HOPES & Elite Gymnasts
Did your gymnast’s competition season feel harder than it should have?Were there unexpected struggles with strength, endurance, injuries, or consistency?As the season wraps up, it’s the perfect time to zoom out and look at what might really be going on beneath the surface.In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most overlooked (but critical) factors in performance for TOPS, HOPES, and elit
Episode 84: Road to Nationals Part 2 - How to Keep your Gymnast Healthy this Season [REPLAY]
Do you know how to keep your gymnast healthy this season as they make a run at Nationals? Today is the second episode of our 4-part series, The Road to Nationals. I'm talking about everything you need to know in terms of fueling your gymnast, helping them stay healthy, and hopefully perform their best this competition season. February is not only competition season, it's also cold and
Episode 83: Road to Nationals Part 1- Back to Nutrition Basics [REPLAY]
If your gymnast is serious about making it to Nationals this year (or any other major competition), now is the time to dial in their nutrition. And I've got something special to help you and your gymnast really hone in on nutrition to support them throughout this very long competition season.There's no better time than the beginning of competition season to help bring it back to the bas
Episode 193: Competition Season Didn’t Go as Planned? Here’s What Your Gymnast’s Body Might Be Telling You
Did your gymnast’s competition season feel harder than it should have been?Were there struggles with strength, endurance, injuries, or consistency that didn’t quite make sense?And now that the season is wrapping up… how do you make sure next season looks different?In this episode, we’re taking a step back to reflect on competition season through a lens that’s often overlooked: nutrition and under-
Episode 158: Why is my gymnast not putting on muscle/getting stronger with how much she trains? [REPLAY]
If your gymnast is putting in the work—20, 25, even 30 hours a week in the gym—but still not building muscle or getting noticeably stronger, it’s time to take a closer look at what’s really going on.In today’s episode, I’m breaking down one of the most common frustrations I hear from parents and gymnasts: "She trains so much… so why isn’t she getting stronger or putting on muscle?"Spoile
Episode 145: 5 Reasons Gymnastics Parents Wait Too Long to Get Nutrition Support for their Gymnast [REPLAY]
Why do parents wait so long to get nutrition support for their gymnast? No parent has ever told us they started working on nutrition with us and their gymnast "too early". In fact, it's almost always the opposite. When they learn how "off" their gymnast's nutrition was, how their underfueling (or not eating the right things at the right times) played a role in their p
Episode 135: How to Support Your Gymnast's Nutrition When it’s a Rebuilding Season [REPLAY]
Is it a rebuilding season for your gymnast this year? It’s hard to sit on the sidelines when everyone else is competing.We have a LOT of gymnasts in this situation right now, and honestly I am so grateful we get to support them. They are taking advantage of an unfortunate situation to dial in their fueling to support health and a strong comeback).And for many, it was wakeup call to the fact their
Episode 139: Acute vs Chronic Underfueling in Gymnasts [Competition Season Edition REPLAY]
This biggest mistake we’re seeing high level gymnasts make right now is…Only eating WHEN and IF they “feel hungry enough”… “my gymnast eats well” is 100% subjectiveThis can lead to "acute" underfueling. And a lot of gymnasts are already chronically underfueled, so this is a double whammy to acutely underfuel on competition day as well.Here's what we're seeing from gymnasts righ
Episode 192: Food Allergies vs Food Intolerances in Gymnasts
Is it really a food allergy or something else entirely?Are stomach aches, bloating, and food fears always caused by specific foods?And how do parents know when eliminating foods is helping… or quietly making things worse?In this episode, we’re tackling one of the most confusing topics in youth athletics: food allergies vs. food intolerances and how both intersect with under-fueling in gymnastics.
Episode 191: Gymnast Periods, PMS, and Birth Control
Is it really normal for a gymnast to not get her period until much later?Are painful cramps, extreme PMS, or mood swings just “part of being a teenage girl”?And is birth control truly the best — or only — solution?In this episode, we’re asking the questions most families were never taught to ask about periods, nutrition, and hormonal health in gymnastics.Because missing periods, severe cramps, int
Episode 169: What we learned from our Gymnast Fueling Audits [REPLAY]
When parents hear “fueling,” they often assume their gymnast is doing okay—but our recent gymnast fueling audits revealed a very different story.Here’s what we found:2 out of 3 gymnasts had already fallen off their growth curve.Most were missing 25% or more of their daily nutrition needs.Many were already at moderate to high risk for RED-S, not because they were training 30 hours a week like elite
Episode 190: Protein, Fiber, or Something Else? What should be the focus for 2026 for gymnasts?
If you’re honest, you’ve probably asked yourself this at least once: We’re trying so hard… so why does nutrition still feel so confusing?In this episode of the Gymnast Nutritionist Podcast, I break down one of the biggest disconnects I see with families of competitive gymnasts: parents believe they’re fueling well, but key pieces are missing that directly impact health, growth, and performance.Nu
Episode 189: Are you (and your gymnast!) really putting in the work for the results you want?
If you’re honest, you’ve probably asked yourself this at least once: We’re doing all the things… so why isn’t it working? You can work hard and still not get results. In this episode, we’re asking the hard question: are you and your gymnast really putting in the work for results you want? What does this actually looks like and why so many families are stuck despite “doing everything right”?If your
Episode 188: Gymnast Mental Blocks and Nutrition
As competition season approaches, many parents are suddenly seeing more fear, anxiety, and mental blocks in the gym. What’s surprising is how often these struggles show up right as families start asking about fueling. This episode explores the connection between gymnast mental blocks and nutrition, and why emotional challenges often intensify when the body is under stress.First, this is common. Th
Episode 187: What to do when your gymnast refuses to eat before a competition
If you’re listening to this episode, there’s a good chance you’ve been there... standing in a hotel room, a gym lobby, or in the car on competition morning while your gymnast says, “I’m not hungry,” or flat-out refuses to eat anything. And you’re left wondering, what do I do with this gymnast who refuses to eat before a competition?Is this normal? Am I overreacting? And… is it actually safe for th
Episode 186: Why Gymnasts Say They Want to Feel Light When Competing (And What Actually Works)
“My gymnast just wants to feel light when competing.”If you’ve heard this phrase, or your gymnast has said it herself, this episode is for you.When a gymnast says she wants to feel light when competing, she might THINK she's talking about a number on the scale. But she’s really trying to describe something deeper. She wants to move faster. She wants to feel powerful and explosive. She wants s
Is it too late to start working on nutrition during competition season? [REPLAY]
Is it “too late” to start working on your gymnast’s nutrition this competition season?Short answer: “NO”SO MUCH can happen in just a few weeks of proper, adequate fueling to support your gymnast’s health, recovery, and performance.Some things can improve really quickly✅ Heavy legs/muscles (often from inadequate carb intake/poor recovery)✅ Fatigue/lethargy✅ Headaches/stomachaches✅ Poor mood/emotion
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 ov
Episode 183: Competition Nutrition Strategies from Level 5-10 and Elite gymnasts
Gymnast parents have been joining me for a FREE weekly webinar each week of December: the FUELED Comp Season Series. Each Tuesday this month at noon MT, I’m covering a key topic your gymnast needs to navigate competition season successfully. So today let's talk about Competition Nutrition Strategies from Level 5-10 and Elite gymnasts With the 2026 competition season upon us, we're goin
Episode 182: Would your gymnast's nutrition score an 8.0 or 9.5+?
Gymnast parents have been joining me for a FREE weekly webinar each week of December: the FUELED Comp Season Series. Each Tuesday this month at noon MT, I’m covering a key topic your gymnast needs to navigate competition season successfully. So let's talk about how every tenth matters...would your gymnast’s nutrition score an 8.0 or a 9.5+? Your gymnast SAYS she wants to do well this compet
Episode 181: Comp Season and REDs—Injuries, Immune Health, and Endurance/Performance Issues
ICYMI… this week we launched our new, FREE, 4-week Zoom webinar: the FUELED Comp Season Series. Each Tuesday this month at noon MT, I’m covering a key topic your gymnast needs to navigate competition season successfully. First up: injuries, immune health, endurance/performance issues, and REDs during comp season.In this episode, we’re diving into the overlooked connection between why so many gymna
Episode 180: Can We Stop Telling Gymnasts How Their Bodies Should Look?
In this episode, we’re having an honest conversation about gymnast bodies, growth, and the persistent (and harmful) belief that adults can (or should) control how a gymnast develops.You cannot tell where a gymnast is in their growth trajectory just by looking at them or comparing them to their teammates. Growth is completely individual. It's shaped by genetics, prior growth patterns, and the
Episode 179- Fueled Gymnast Fall: How to prevent the mid-season IMPLOSION
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, we’re tackling a major issue I see EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR: the mid-season implosion. A lot of gymnasts start the season in one of two places: ✔️ Looking strong but already running on fumes, or ✔️ Already dealing with nagging injuries, chronic
Episode 178 - Fueled Gymnast Fall: Don't Waste This Season if your Gymnast is Injured
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 addressing a sensitive subject for those gymnasts who are injured and not quite sure what season will look like this year. If your gymnast was injured last season or is struggling with an major injury this preseason, it can feel frus
Episode 177: Fueled Gymnast Fall - Should Your Gymnast “Clean Up” Their Diet Before Comp Season?
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 “cleani
Episode 176 - Fueled Gymnast Fall: Are so many gymnasts really underfueled?
Welcome 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. And on today's episode, we're diving right in with the question, "Are so many gymnasts really underfueled?"Yes, yes they are… Why do parents and coaches not believe us? Maybe it's because we are so conditioned to seeing “teeny,
Episode 175: The Need-to-Know About OCD (Osteochondritis Dissecans) and Nutrition for Gymnasts
What Is OCD (Osteochondritis Dissecans) and how does nutrition play a role for your gymnast? In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood overuse injuries in gymnastics. OCD, or Osteochondritis Dissecans, and how nutrition plays a powerful role in both prevention and recovery. Parents, if you’ve ever wondered whether your gymnast’s elbow or knee pain could be related to underfu
Episode 174 – Should Your Gymnast Miss Practice Because of Underfueling?
When a gymnast is underfueled, deciding whether they should practice can feel like a tough call. But is keeping them out of practice a punishment...or protection? In this episode, we dive into why it's sometimes the safest and only option for a gymnast to miss practice because of underfueling and what it means for safety, progress, and long-term health.When your gymnast isn’t eating enough to
Episode 173: Is Your L9/10 Gymnast Disciplined Enough with Nutrition to Reach Their Goals?
Is your Level 9/10 gymnast disciplined enough with nutrition to perform, recover, and reach their biggest goals?Every high-level gymnast knows that discipline is part of the sport. From perfecting routines to managing school and training, your Level 9/10 gymnast already works incredibly hard. But when it comes to nutrition, discipline often takes on the wrong meaning. In this episode, we’re unpack
Episode 172: So your gymnast wants to quit—will working on nutrition help?
s your gymnast talking about quitting? If so, you’re not alone. Many parents and coaches face this difficult situation of their gymnast saying she wants to quit. But whether it comes out of the blue or feels like the inevitable conclusion, I'd really challenge you to dig in and try and understand what could be making your gymnast feel this way. In this episode of The Gymnast Nutritionist® Pod
Episode 171: Our Approach to Labs, Supplements, and Mineral Analysis for Gymnasts
When it comes to fueling high-level gymnasts, there’s no shortage of opinions and advice floating around online. But when it comes to your gymnast’s health and performance, “guessing” is not a strategy. In this episode, I’m breaking down our approach to labs, supplements, and mineral analysis for gymnasts. You’ll learn why blindly adding supplements can do more harm than good, when lab testing mak
Episode 170: Are You Nervous About Investing in 1:1 Gymnast Nutrition Coaching?
Thinking about gymnast nutrition coaching but feeling hesitant? You’re not alone. Many parents wrestle with the same fears before starting 1:1 coaching for their gymnast—and in this episode of The Gymnast Nutritionist Podcast, I’m unpacking the most common concerns and what you really need to know before making the investment. We're in the thick of Preseason and I know gymnast nutrition coach
Episode 168: What can parents *actually* control to help their gymnast crush it this competition season?
There’s a lot in gymnastics that frustrates parents—but truthfully, much of it is out of your control. You can’t control the judging. Or the coaching. You can’t control every practice or every skill. So as a parent of a gymnast, what can you actually control? Gymnastics is a roller coaster of a ride. There are so many factors outside a parent's control along the way. But one thing I’ve learne
Episode 167: Why Eating Healthy Isn’t Enough for Gymnast Success (and What to Do Instead)
When it comes to gymnast nutrition, “healthy” and “adequate” are not the same thing. And confusing the two can keep your gymnast stuck in frustration, struggling with performance, and at higher risk of injury.So many parents tell me, “But Christina, my gymnast eats so healthy!” And while that’s absolutely important, the real question is—is she eating enough?Here’s the truth. A gymnast can eat the
Episode 166: What’s the difference between a Nutritionist vs Registered Dietitian Nutritionist?
Why is our practice The Gymnast Nutritionist® even though we are all Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (specialized in pediatrics and sports nutrition). Marketing. No one knows what a dietitian is. Not even in the hospital. We get all dietricians, dietary, nutritionalists, etc. But, there are HUGE differences between dietitians and nutritionists. We are not created equally. And, like in any profe
Episode 165: What to Do When Your Gymnast’s Lunch Comes Home Uneaten?
Your gymnast’s lunchbox comes home full… and your heart drops.You know what’s ahead—hours of intense training—and your gymnast skipping lunch just isn’t an option. But between picky eating, short lunch breaks, and the chaos of the school day, it happens more often than we’d like to admit.Back-to-school season means jam-packed schedules, early mornings, homework piles, and rushing from the classroo
Episode 164: Holding the Boundary Around Safety + Nutrition for your Gymnast
As a parent, it can be tough to hold firm when it comes to your gymnast’s nutrition—especially when you're met with pushback from coaches, friends, or even your gymnast herself. But when we zoom out and really look at the big picture, we have to remember this: nutrition is a safety issue.In today’s episode, I’m diving into what it really means to hold the boundary around safety and nutrition
Episode 163: The Summer Slump Is Real: Why gymnasts (AND Parents) are struggling right now
In this episode of The Gymnast Nutritionist Podcast, I'm diving into the all-too-familiar gymnast summer struggle—and why it’s hitting both athletes and parents hard right now.From chaotic training schedules to travel, time off, and disrupted routines, summer often leaves gymnasts feeling sluggish, unmotivated, or stuck in a performance plateau. And it’s not just the gymnast feeling it. Paren
Episode 162: Worried Your Gymnast Is Underfueled? Start with a Gymnast Fueling Audit
If you're worried your gymnast might be underfueled or showing signs of RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), this episode is a must-listen. In today’s episode, I'll explain why a true gymnast fueling audit doesn’t start with macros or calorie counts. It starts with tracking growth over time PLUS nutritional intake. When parents come to me worried their gymnast might be underfuel
Episode 161: Can gymnasts make up a deficit with a few "good days" of nutrition? [Replay]
Most gymnasts are wildly inconsistent with their nutrition. They skip breakfast or lunch, or they get out of practice so late they skip dinner. But one question I get asked by parents a lot is will a few "good days" of nutrition and fueling help balance out the erratic days of fueling for their gymnasts?There’s a new research study just published in the MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
Episode 160: Fueling the Gymnast at College Camps [Replay]
Is your gymnast attending any college camps this summer?! Does your gymnast know how to optimize her fueling at college camps to stand out and make a lasting impression?Summer camps are like a rite of passage for gymnasts. They're usually a fun time to make new friends, try new skills, and train in an upbeat atmosphere. But as they get older, and especially as they progress in the levels and
Episode 159: Should you allow your gymnast to drink an energy drink?
In this episode, we’re diving into a hot topic that comes up all the time in conversations with parents and gymnasts: Should you allow your gymnast to drink an energy drink?It's tempting to reach for that quick boost—especially during long summer practices or exhausting meet weekends. But there are some serious concerns we need to talk about when it comes to the gymnast energy drink debate. A
Episode 157: Why your gymnast needs a pediatric/adolescent sports dietitian
Not all sports dietitians are created equal—especially when it comes to working with young, developing gymnasts. In this episode, I’m breaking down why your gymnast needs a pediatric/adolescent sports dietitian, not just any sports RD who’s used to fueling adult athletes. The nutritional needs of gymnasts are not the same as grown adults like college or professional athletes. Your gymnast is still
Episode 156: Should your gymnast eat LESS food (or carbs) on rest days?
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 wi
Episode 155: Help Your Gymnast Standout as a NCAA Recruit (and earn more money)
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
BONUS: Sample TBG® Program Nutrition Coaching Call
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
Episode 154: The Top 5 Fueling Mistakes Gymnasts Make During Summer
Hey there, gymnastics parents and dedicated gymnasts! Today we’re diving into a super important (and often overlooked) topic—the most common fueling mistakes gymnasts make during the summer months.Summer is supposed to feel like a break, right? But for competitive gymnasts, it’s go time in a different way. Off-season training might mean no competitions, but the grind doesn’t stop. We’re talking up
Episode 153: Fueling vs. Snacking: What Every Gymnast (and Parent) Needs to Know
When it comes to performance, energy, and recovery, what your gymnast eats matters—but just as important is why and how they eat it. In today’s episode, Christina Anderson, MS, RDN, CSSD—sports dietitian and founder of The Balanced Gymnast® Program—dives into the critical differences between fueling vs. snacking for gymnasts.You’ll learn why not all food choices are created equal in a high-perform
Episode 152: Debunking the Top 5 Myths About Gymnast Growth + Development
Hey friends, Christina here — your go-to gymnast nutritionist. Today, we’re diving into a super important topic that I talk about all the time with gymnasts, parents, and even coaches and healthcare providers: myths about gymnast growth + development.There are still so many fears and misunderstandings floating around when it comes to how growth, puberty, and performance intersect in our sport. And
Episode 151: What’s Next? Nutrition and Summer Training for Gymnasts
The season is finally over—and let’s be real, everyone’s exhausted. Gymnasts are sore, parents are tired, and coaches are running on fumes. Maybe you're not ready to even thing about nutrition and summer training for your gymnast. But here’s the thing… summer training is short. Most gymnasts only have 14–16 weeks before pre-season ramps up again, and what happens now sets the tone for the en
Episode 150: When denial gets in the way of nutrition for gymnasts [Replay]
With summer training underway, we’re bringing back one of our most important conversations. In this episode, we dive into how denial can interfere with a gymnast’s nutrition — and why addressing it head-on is crucial for performance, growth, and injury prevention.Whether you’re a parent, coach, or gymnast, this is a must-listen as you prepare for the demands of summer training season.(Originally a
Episode 149: Coaches Series - Do Gymnasts Really Need Snack Breaks?
In this episode of our Coaches Series, we’re diving into a topic that sparks a lot of debate in the gym: snack breaks vs. performance fueling. Should gymnasts have snack breaks during practice? What’s the difference between snacking and fueling? And what responsibility does a coach have in ensuring their athletes are fueled and ready to perform at each rotation?We explore how nutrition strategies
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