WAG Nutrition component of coaching

[DefiniteMaybe]

I would love for the coaches to add in a short nutrition class once a month or so. (Maybe those who are opposed could opt out?)
Dd would take this subject way more seriously from the coaches than she does from me. I know a little about nutrition, but I don't know how to feed a child for high sports performance.

 

[JBS]

Most coaches struggle with the fact that nutrition is very important...but approaching the subject is very hard.

As I stated above...challenge your booster club to help out with this. Provide individual guidance for families. Help with the cost of a nutrition specialist. Booster clubs usually can't buy equipment...but they sure can get a nutritionist in once every three months.

 

[JBS]

I would love for the coaches to add in a short nutrition class once a month or so. (Maybe those who are opposed could opt out?)
Dd would take this subject way more seriously from the coaches than she does from me. I know a little about nutrition, but I don't know how to feed a child for high sports performance.

Yes...the "Physics of Food!" or "Food...The Fuel Of Champions!"

And I am the gymnast that took McDonald's cheeseburgers to the meets in my gym bag! These classes could have helped me learn a bit...but I would have still ate those cheeseburgers...I was always starving.

 

[MILgymFAM]

I'm curious if this is just us, based on some of the posts here, so I will just ask. I can't think of any subject dealing with life, health, or their bodies that my kids wouldn't listen to me over other people in their lives. My kids even look to me after dr appts to confirm things the dr told them. Do most kids tune parents out on other things, or only if you're standing between them and the good (read bad, lol) snacks? When I had an issue with a coach telling the girls what to eat, I only heard about it because my DD came out of practice and immediately told me that coach x told the girls bad info about what is healthy for them- she obviously based this off what I told her previously.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

The problem is when you have children with fast metabolisms or children who you are just happy to get any calories in them. Or the kids where it will always be an issue.

And then they grow up. And their metabolisms change.

I am that kid. I could literally eat how much and whatever I wanted. Half a pound of pasta, no prob. Fast food as much as I wanted. Healthy eater overall just eat tons. Never had to worry about portion control, ever.

And then I hit 40.

This is my thing with my kid. She can eat what ever. But someday her body will betray her habits. That is where the fight is.

She doesn't get it now. Its 20, 30 years from now when she is wondering what happened. What do you mean I can't eat 4 slices of pizza in a sitting. Wait a half a box of pasta is not a serving???

 

[JBS]

My normal order from McDonald's when I was around 14 or 15 was "a #1 (big mac & fries) super sized with a vanilla shake...a double quarter pounder with cheese...a filet-o-fish...and 2 cherry pies (which they don't have anymore).

I really needed to learn about food back then.

@Deleted member 18037 is totally right!

 

[Deleted member 18037]

I'm curious if this is just us, based on some of the posts here, so I will just ask. I can't think of any subject dealing with life, health, or their bodies that my kids wouldn't listen to me over other people in their lives. My kids even look to me after dr appts to confirm things the dr told them. Do most kids tune parents out on other things, or only if you're standing between them and the good (read bad, lol) snacks? When I had an issue with a coach telling the girls what to eat, I only heard about it because my DD came out of practice and immediately told me that coach x told the girls bad info about what is healthy for them- she obviously based this off what I told her previously.

I would guess its a bit what others tell kids and a bit of a parent/child thing.

My daughter gives a lot of weight to what grown ups tell her. She does tell me and we then discuss why I agree or don't.

Now homework, I know she doesn't give her teachers the pushback she gives me.

 

[JBS]

I'm curious if this is just us, based on some of the posts here, so I will just ask. I can't think of any subject dealing with life, health, or their bodies that my kids wouldn't listen to me over other people in their lives. My kids even look to me after dr appts to confirm things the dr told them. Do most kids tune parents out on other things, or only if you're standing between them and the good (read bad, lol) snacks? When I had an issue with a coach telling the girls what to eat, I only heard about it because my DD came out of practice and immediately told me that coach x told the girls bad info about what is healthy for them- she obviously based this off what I told her previously.

When you coach a kid 20+ hours per week for 7...8...9...10 years...you become a second parent of sorts.

 

[skschlag]

When you coach a kid 20+ hours per week for 7...8...9...10 years...you become a second parent of sorts.

I think that is it. And honestly, they hear the same thing from me over and over. Sometimes hearing the same thing from another person just give them that push.

 

[JBS]

I think that is it. And honestly, they hear the same thing from me over and over. Sometimes hearing the same thing from another person just give them that push.

And I am not really thinking of this food education so much for low level or young athletes. I think 7th grade or so would be a good time for this type of education.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

And I am not really thinking of this food education so much for low level or young athletes. I think 7th grade or so would be a good time for this type of education.

7th grade is too late.

As with most things as early as possible.

 

[JBS]

7th grade is too late.

As with most things as early as possible.

True...I just think it would be more formal at that age. Maybe it could start with coloring sheets of carrots...then nutrition seminars for parents...then athlete education starting in middle school.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

True...I just think it would be more formal at that age. Maybe it could start with coloring sheets of carrots...then nutrition seminars for parents...then athlete education starting in middle school.

You're making me laugh. That is pretty much what they do at gym camp, L2, L3, L4. Pictures, food groups etc...

 

[B.Gold]

True...I just think it would be more formal at that age. Maybe it could start with coloring sheets of carrots...then nutrition seminars for parents...then athlete education starting in middle school.

...and what would be taught?? the FDA's food pyramid???? Then we'll respectfully opt out....

 

[DefiniteMaybe]

Im talking more about athletes approaching elite or higher level JO. And I'm not talking about calorie control. I just wish the coaches would talk more about the best way to fuel their bodies, as the physical demand is tremendous at those higher levels. And they are still having to grow and develop as well. I would think the nutritional requirements become greater and more important as the physical demand on their bodies increases.
And, yes, my kids generally listen to my advice when I speak with authority. But, honestly, I don't know a lot about youth sports nutrition. I think she would take her coaches more seriously because fueling her body for gymnastics is more in her coaches jurisdiction.

 

[coachmolly]

I coach littles (5-9 in pre-team and low level teams), so it really does not come up much. One group practices over dinnertime and when their hours increased I invited them to bring a healthy snack to practice and give them some extra time during drink breaks. I offered a few options for them- fruit, cheese, nuts- but ultimately leave it up to the parents. There are so many different views of what good nutrition is and what works for each child and family. For example, I was told by a doctor as a teenager that I would benefit from consuming whole milk dairy products so I do just that- whole milk, whole milk yogurts and cheeses, etc. It works for me and my individual needs, but I know lots of folks that would whole heartedly disagree with that. So I just encourage healthy choices. If I had specific concerns, I would approach the parent in question.
One coach at our gym is constantly telling our girls to eat more protein if she sees any sort of fatigue or difficulty with strength skills. It's just the go to response/fix it. I am not on board with that because they are 8 and any number of issues could cause them to be tired at practice.

 

[buttercup]

I understand the logic behind getting information out to parents as early as possible- but to kids -especially young ones- I think it needs to be done very carefully. I personally have a child with multiple food allergies, who when he was younger also had absorption issues that led to a very low body weight (amongst other things). To maintain his weight he was on a much higher calorie, fat and protein diet then what his peers were. Loss of weight would have meant dropping Gymnastics and if that wasn't enough a feeding tube. If his coach (who was and still is his favorite role model) had said to him you need to limit your fat intake - I might have had trouble getting the diet he required into him! Did his coach know he was tiny? Yes. Did he know about the allergies? Yup! Did he know it was essential for DS to maintain his weight? Yes. Did he know what we did to manage it? No. Even now his diet is not the same balance as his peers (not to mention drastically different due to the allergies) but we have found what works to fuel his body and enable him to train and compete.

I still think nutrition education is great - but needs to be presented in a way that allows for differences in the kids- it can not be presented as one size fits all.

 

[GymCMLA]

Maybe that is my struggle. the training group is 10 -12 year olds. I have a very tall kid. She is 15 inches taller than the shortest kid in the group. Also, at this age some a prepubertal, some are peripubertal and some are post pubertal. It is such a diverse group.
I also have a medical background (I'm a internist and pediatrician) and I just worry about blanket info and body image influences during the changes of puberty. I also was curious about this seemingly being/becoming such a topic of discussion in the past 2 weeks in the gym.
I tend to talk about protein and good fats to my dd b/c carbs are "easy to get" in the american diet, but IMO you have to pay a little more attention to assure adequate protein. We also talk about good fats as well as choosing non-processed carbs. Her BMI is fine, but one of her brothers has an elevated BMI, the next brother has an oral aversion issues and a very limited diet and youngest sib has multiple food allergies. SO I (and I hope dd) understand that we all may need different things and in different ways, but that all of us should pay attention to our choices. Like I tell my patients, its ok to have birthday cake on your birthday, just don't have a birthday everyday.

 

[JBS]

Limiting intake is not the correct education for a high level athlete...athletes need lots. It's just about education...they need to learn about what their body should be eating lots of. This is different for some...but those can be addressed on an individual basis.

I have a 10 year old that has gained some weight recently...she is 59.5 lbs. I have a son that is allergic to peanuts. I am allergic to tree nuts. There are many individual concerns...but it must first be presented as one size fits all so you can then show different situations.

My son knows that peanuts are a great fuel for the body...that's why many people eat them...he also knows that he could die if he eats them. He is 4 so we must be careful...but he must learn that peanut are good...just not for him.

 

[JBS]

I also have a medical background (I'm a internist and pediatrician)

You just gave the answer...if you are not part of the solution...you are part of the problem.

Help your club out...do some seminars for the parents and coaches and upper level athletes!