Q & A: Are Carbohydrates bad for Gymnasts?

Q: Coach Casie, someone told me carbohydrates are bad for gymnastics. Is this true?

A: We hear a lot about carbohydrates today. Often, they are called bad and unhealthy. Yet, this is not true.

You need to realize that it is necessary for your body to have the carbohydrates that it needs to power through your body’s demands. Carbohydrates are an important player in your bodies' nutritional needs, especially for a gymnast who needs to be BETTER, FASTER and STRONGER than their competition.

You should always look for whole grains when it comes to carbohydrates. Also check the labels on the food to make sure they are not full of sugars, bad fats and processed foods. (I hope that didn't just ruin your dinner meal plan.)

The Role Of Carbs

As part of a balanced diet, carbohydrates are a necessary part, but what do they do to your body when it comes to your gymnastics nutrition?

In the world of gymnastics nutrition, carbohydrates play a large role. They are necessary because they provide an essential source of foods for your nutrition. If you look back at a food pyramid, you will notice that you are supposed to consume 11 servings per day of grains.

Grains make up most of your carbohydrate intake, but that is not all. In fact, you will intake carbohydrates when you eat fruits, vegetables and other foods as well. Most commonly, starch foods will contain mostly carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates should be consumed at 65 to 70 percent of your body’s calories!

How They Effect Your Body

Carbohydrates are necessary for the production of energy in your body.

Points To Remember

There are two things that you need to remember when it comes to carbohydrates:

1. Eat quite a few carbohydrate foods for the several days before your competition or any other time in which you will need lots of energy available. This will help to load your muscles with glycogen: fuel for your body’s needs.
2. If you will be participating in high intensity training or several events over a short period of time or other instances where you will need to burn energy for an extended period of time, replenish your carbohydrates as you go. You can do this with fruit juice or through carbohydrate drinks like the ones we talked about earlier.