WAG Nutrition component of coaching

[Sari]

But even that isn't true. I'm a great scratch cook and I love to cook. I have a child with dietary restrictions that really limits options. I have an underweight child (not the same one as the dietary issues). I also have a gymnast, a theater kid, and we are all singers. Add two employed parents and presto -- you get fast food meals at least once a week. Its either that or nothing and I'm pretty sure that fast food is better than nothing given the above. Now, it is the "best" fast food that we can manage given restrictions/location/timing, but still... I know it would be better to be eating a home-cooked balanced meal with nice lean protein, two veggies, some sort of starch (especially for underweight) and drinking milk. (Well, for the kids. I like wine ) But it's not always possible. And so, given the lives of many of our families, fast food will always be with us.

And that's okay. I ate at plenty of fast food places growing up when my mom didn't have the time to cook (and before I learned to cook for myself). I just meant we might not need as many if everyone kept fast food as their last resort food choice. But I think that's not the case for a lot of people and unlikely to change in the near future.

Do tell me though, do singers need a specific nutrition? Not in any way mocking you, I'm genuinely curious!

 

[Turk]

Do tell me though, do singers need a specific nutrition? Not in any way mocking you, I'm genuinely curious!

Just chipping in as a singer myself! Foods like dairy and bananas can produce a lot of mucus, which makes it really difficult to sing. There are other foods on a more individual basis that can cause issues too. An example for me would be Fruit Gums (the brand version in the UK) - they randomly knock my voice down to about half power and make it really hard to control!

 

[Anna's_Mom]

Do tell me though, do singers need a specific nutrition? Not in any way mocking you, I'm genuinely curious!

No, but it does add at least 2 more rehearsals each week to the family schedule. Hence it contributes to the "eat fast food between here and there" need.

 

[Sari]

No, but it does add at least 2 more rehearsals each week to the family schedule. Hence it contributes to the "eat fast food between here and there" need.

Ah okay, that makes sense!

 

[JoyAvenueMom]

I think even the youngest of gymnasts can learn that just like cars need gas, their bodies need fuel for practice. And, they tend to listen to their coaches. Perhaps coaches could instruct as follows: 1) Whenever you are faced with a choice, ask your parent "which is the healthiest choice for me"? or... 2)if your mom cooks you vegetables for dinner, eat them without complaining! Coaches can stimulate curiosity in kids about nutrition, and let them know it's important, without giving any specific instructions. I also would appreciate info provided to parents regarding smart snack choices for before and after practice. Just as a matter of convenience. Of course, it would be awesome to have these specific snack choices available in the gym, but our gym owner says the healthy stuff doesn't sell. :-(

 

[saddlupasb]

I coach a range of ages 5-12 on my 2 lower level compulsory teams. I have no problem telling them that Oreos and Doritos are not good for them to be eating during practice. I also tell them that I like them too, but they are not the type of food that gives them energy to work out properly.

 

[gymdog]

Our brains require cholesterol to function.

Really, because I don't eat dietary cholesterol and my brain seems to be functioning.

If it works for you that's great. I don't have any of the problems you listed, nor do I take any drugs.

 

[gymdog]

Also, this is not a topic I would touch with a ten foot pole. Many of my kids have hyperactivity conditions which cause them to not eat enough and not gain weight. It would be inappropriate and less healthy to attempt to further limit their eating. It is a complex situation and can't just be solved by saying "hey, eat more of this and color this picture." Otherwise I suppose the specialists would be out of a job.

I tell them not to make a mess and to finish chewing but that's it. I mean if I had a kid drinking a coke everyday or something I guess I would speak to the parents but I've never had anything that I consider extreme enough to warrant that. Also, I have seen a lot of questionable nutrition advice on here that doesn't really even pass a basic logic test (no masters degree required), so I can't really say in general that I believe most coaches are qualified to provide this kind of counseling.

 

[raenndrops]

Perhaps coaches could instruct as follows: 1) Whenever you are faced with a choice, ask your parent "which is the healthiest choice for me"? or... 2)if your mom cooks you vegetables for dinner, eat them without complaining!

Ok... but what if your mom is cooking vegetables for dinner and you have had "problems" with a particular vegetable the last several times you ate it? (as in, it turns out you were allergic to it)... Me and oh, at least 1/4 of the veggies my mother would make for us as kids. Spinach was the biggie. Mom kept trying different ways of making it because it was "healthy" and I tended to be anemic on top of everything else so she was told the iron would do me good. Turns out that I am allergic to spinach... and it took an anaphylactic reaction to it when she snuck it into a salad (It looked like lettuce. I was 6. I loved salad. I ate a big helping. I went to the ER in an ambulance. I am not allowed to eat spinach anymore.)

 

[Faith]

I coach a range of ages 5-12 on my 2 lower level compulsory teams. I have no problem telling them that Oreos and Doritos are not good for them to be eating during practice. I also tell them that I like them too, but they are not the type of food that gives them energy to work out properly.

whats your logic there? Why don't they give them the energy to work out properly? What do you suggest instead?

 

[sce]

I coach a range of ages 5-12 on my 2 lower level compulsory teams. I have no problem telling them that Oreos and Doritos are not good for them to be eating during practice. I also tell them that I like them too, but they are not the type of food that gives them energy to work out properly.

While I agree with you about those foods, it's such a slippery slope to make specific comments about a kid's food. First, some of those kids are quite young, and their parents are probably choosing their foods. Second, how does the kid learn to where draw the line: no cookies or chips, no crackers, no cheese, nothing but veggies? (It's a slope that can lead to an eating disorder.) What if the kid really needs a hit of of calories, those junky foods do give them that. Also, what about kids with allergies and limited diets? My friends son often had Sun Chips or plain Lays during practice. 2 of the few packaged foods he could safely eat, both of which give him things his body needs (fat, and carbs).

 

[l.c.o]

Really, because I don't eat dietary cholesterol and my brain seems to be functioning.

If it works for you that's great. I don't have any of the problems you listed, nor do I take any drugs.

Our bodies make cholesterol, in our livers. Some people make too much ... hence high cholesterol in fit people who eat healthfully. Some people make just the right amount, others make too little. That's why our levels are tested.

It is essential... it's in every cell (membranes) and used in bile and hormone production.

 

[l.c.o]

whats your logic there? Why don't they give them the energy to work out properly? What do you suggest instead?

Yes! Really, glucose is glucose, regardless of source... Yes, some sources are better than others, but only by what other nutrients it's coupled with.

Though I do remember reading a study in undergrad about rats fed high fructose corn syrup vs. sugar cane and all other things accounted for, the rats who consumed the high fructose corn syrup weighed more. On a molecular level, it was baffling, as structurally, they appear to be the same exact compound (glucose). Anyway, at the time, it was the only such study and I haven't followed up to see how relevant it really seems to be.

There's so much we don't know.

 

[gymdog]

Our bodies make cholesterol, in our livers. Some people make too much ... hence high cholesterol in fit people who eat healthfully. Some people make just the right amount, others make too little. That's why our levels are tested.

It is essential... it's in every cell (membranes) and used in bile and hormone production.

Right, I don't eat DIETARY cholesterol. The post I quoted is about eating and nutrition advice so I assume we are talking about dietary cholesterol. I agree cholesterol is naturally occurring hence why it is in animal products. My only point is a diet free of animal products doesn't necessarily lead to a lack of brain functioning.

 

[bookworm]

Also, this is not a topic I would touch with a ten foot pole.

so I can't really say in general that I believe most coaches are qualified to provide this kind of counseling.

I think that the sport would be better served, from rec classes through NCAA, if all followed gym dog's advice...it's spot on.

 

[l.c.o]

Right, I don't eat DIETARY cholesterol. The post I quoted is about eating and nutrition advice so I assume we are talking about dietary cholesterol. I agree cholesterol is naturally occurring hence why it is in animal products. My only point is a diet free of animal products doesn't necessarily lead to a lack of brain functioning.

Right, but some people DO need some dietary cholesterol. Some studies suggest that a cholesterol level below 150 can have negative health consequences, and I don't remember reading a threshold or anything, but way too low can lead to death as easily as cholesterol which is too high.

Some people need to avoid it. Still others avoiding it isn't enough and they need meds to lower it further. Those people should avoid it as best they can.

That was my only point there.

I don't watch my cholesterol at all because I have an autoimmune liver disease and the only medication which works to decrease my itching happens to be a statin. I eat foods containing cholesterol (mainly eggs) as mine didn't need to be lowered in the first place. Everyone is different.

 

[gymyogimom]

On the snack machine at the gym... It doesnt have to be the worst stuff on earth, does it? My daughter also does dance and the machine there is like movie theater candy. My kids don't know the names of most of them but they sure like the bright colors.

 

[B.Gold]

Really, because I don't eat dietary cholesterol and my brain seems to be functioning.

If it works for you that's great. I don't have any of the problems you listed, nor do I take any drugs.

I'm so glad you dont, you should feel very blessed. but many people do. As well as:
ADHD, depression, ALS, autism, bone pain, weakened immunity, auto immunity disorders, migraines, Parkinson's etc, etc, etc... Science has linked gluten sensitivity to all those maladies, and many more, including schizophrenia. I would even go as far as to say some of the increased aggression, and violence we are seeing more and more in our country, is linked to our flawed diet.

And as for cholesterol, Tuck my post away in the back of your memory, and as Alzheimers reaches epidemic levels in the coming decade, and lipitor and other statins become scrutinized, maybe you'll think..... Oh, that lady on CB wasn't so crazy. . Our brains are created to last our lifetime, not peter out around 70.... Again, I can't recommend Grain Brain, Dr. David Perlmutter enough.

Ill stand by my comment... Just as I don't think I should be giving nutritional advice, coaches shouldnt be giving nutritional advice, and I'd be very careful who I got my advice from.

 

[z2akids]

I would never advocate for talking specific food choices. While some may not agree with current best scientific knowledge about nutrition, it has certainly evolved from the food pyramid of the 70s, I suppose I understand some of the reason that those who chose to follow non-mainstream nutritional advice would not want an RD to speak with them and their children. On the other hand, kids learn very little about the actual science of nutrition at school and most parents are not experts either. Absent significant problems, it isn't common in my area to take you child to an RD. Therefore, I have really appreciated having the RDs come into the gym to better help kids and parents alike understand nutrition for the athlete. Again, not specific food choices or calorie counts. Rather - what macro/micro nutrients do they need, at what phases of training and how do they know if they are getting enough. Experts brought in by the coaches, but advice coming from the experts, not the coaches

 

[gymdog]

I would even go as far as to say some of the increased aggression, and violence we are seeing more and more in our country, is linked to our flawed diet.

Do you have a source to help us understand understand over what time frame violence and aggression has increased in our country in relation to the addition of different foods into our diets?

Most humans can eat gluten. Some people can't, but humans have been eating gluten for a long time. Reliable record keeping about per capita crime statistics wouldn't even go back that far.