Hi emacmommy
Thanks for the positive feedback, its good to hear that you found the article interesting and potentially helpful. TO address your questions.
I am not entirely sure what the percentages signify? Is it calories, carbohydrate intake? protein? Can you please explain further.
What do you mean my GL foods? Are these High, low, medium?
In regard to your other questions
1- I don't have an article personally on the nutritional requirements for Adolescent athletes (yet). However at that ages the nutritional requirements are definitely at their peak (for both boys and girls) and are very similar to an adult athlete.
There is actually very little research out there specific to gymnastics nutritional needs, actually there are none. There are several reports on a variety of levels (Elite, Collegiate, even National) that that show that gymnasts (female in particular) are not eating enough. Most recommendations are based on generalized athlete nutritional requirements. Its an area that needs further research.
2- Do you have any food suggestions that fit into a training diet to stay focused and on task ?
What you describe is not to uncommon in my experience, but i notice it more so in Recreational classes than competitive (predominantly because of program selection as opposed to open entry). However some thoughts are:
1- Recently there was a release of some research which showed "evidence that some food additives can have an adverse effect on children’s behaviour. In some this may be serious enough to be classified as ADHD; in others it may be milder and perhaps not be recognised as a specific condition at all, but still enough to detract from their experience in school and, presumably, in other ways as well. We should also ask what other effects these additives may be having, and whether they really affect only children. " . Now one can question this results due to possible methodology, but overall there is enough evidence out there i think to show it could be an easy intervention for parents to try if they feel their kids are showing signs of ADHD.
Now i am not saying that your child is particularly effect but it could be worth a try to modify her diet to remove those food colorings and see what happens.
Aside from modifying her diet to ensure that she has a regular stream of energy as opposed to big rushes through irregular spaced out, and large meals i don't i can recommend any other dietary suggestions. Generally the kids who are easily distracted could be due to any one of many possible learning disabilities, from weaker vision (requiring glasses) to more complex psychological issues like dyslexia, or ADHD. I am just not qualified to make any specific recommendations. I would however advise at looking at the food coloring option as its something that is fairly easily done, and could be the key.
Alternatively it sounds that your child is a at point where (how old is she by the way) that she just needs to have plenty to do, but in a structured and directed manner. If she is left to her own, she will get distracted to easily and play up. I recently read an interesting study (Rosado, Mesquita, Breia, 2008) that showed "almost up to 40%," of feedback is not retained by gymnasts. (of course more so younger kids than the older). "These results suggest that athletes retention tends to be more difficult when the information is longer, less contextualized and doesn't refer specifically to any specific motor task. Thus is could very well be just what 'everyone else' says, and its a phase.
