Diet & Nutrition of the Elite & Professional Gymnasts

Gymnasts are high-powered athletes with traditionally thin, lean bodies. They must be flexible, yet strong enough to lift and flip their entire frames with just their arms. So how do these fantastic athletes maintain healthy bodies and achieve amazing feats on the parallel bars and balance beams? The secret is a well-balanced diet. A good gymnast peppers his diet with meat, fruits and vegetables while keeping fats to a minimum.

  1. Carbohydrates

    • Carbohydrates are an important aspect of a professional gymnast's diet because they can provide quick and powerful spurts of energy for exercise and competition. Carbohydrates are processed by your body into glycogen; it is important to feast on carbs after a grueling practice to replenish your body's diminished supply of glycogen. Gymnasts should keep track of which type of carbohydrates they consume. Simple carbs, like those found in sugary foods or fruits, are good for storing up short term energy supplies while complex carbs, like whole grains and vegetables, are better for long-term workouts.

    Proteins

    • According to Hughston Health Alert, proteins should make up about 15 percent of a gymnasts total caloric intake. Proteins are essential for repairing muscles after a workout or gymnastics competition. Achieving the right amount of protein means eating a diet rich in beef, pork and chicken. Red fish contains Omega-3, which is also good for gymnasts who are hoping to strengthen their muscles. Vegetarians can substitute the meat diet with tofu or beans.

    Timing the Diet

    • Though having the right foods to keep your gymnastics diet healthy is important, it is also essential to eat the right foods at the right time during a training schedule. In the days leading up to a big gymnastics competition, load up on carbohydrates to build up your energy store. This means eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole wheat breads, whole wheat pasta and water to drink. Avoid foods which are high in fat on the day before a competition. For the day of a competition, snack on light, low-fat foods throughout the day. Avoid heavy carbohydrates like pasta and bread.

    Eating Disorders

    • Gymnasts are required to have lean bodies, which makes the sport prone to eating disorders. However, diminishing caloric intake in order to lose weight will decrease your endurance and dehydrate you. Remember that gymnastics is actually a high speed sport, and your body will shut down without an adequate supply of glycogen. Each gymnast's dietary needs -- like the number of daily calories which should be consumed -- depends on many factors like height, age and intensity of workout regimen.