Eat Like a Gator Gymnast: An Interview with Cassy Hunter

When it comes to nutrition there’s so much advice out there that it can get pretty overwhelming, especially when it comes to feeding your kids before sports practice. Children are a whole other species that have the energy to run around in circles for hours (why can't we adults still have this energy?). Finding the right type of fuel for your athlete who is always on the move can be a challenge. We interviewed former Gator Gymnastics dietician, Cassy Hunter, and here’s what she had to say.

Q: What is one common mistake you notice in an athlete’s diet?

Q: What advice would you give to a parent who has a 9- or 10-year-old gymnast training 4 days a week for about two or three hours each practice?

Q: Does the same apply to a 3-year-old who is going to practice 1 hour a week?

Q: What would you recommend before a competition?

Here are some of Cassy's favorite snack suggestions:

To recap, here are the main takeaways:

1.  Although carbs can be scary it’s time to conquer that fear and realize the right type of carbs are actually good for you and give you energy!

2. Hunter suggests eating every three to four hours throughout the day. Oh, what a perfect excuse to snack (HEALTHY) all day.

3. She notes the importance of establishing and maintaining a healthy and positive relationship with food from a young age. (By those standards, I must have a really healthy relationship with food then because we spend A LOT of quality time together.)

4. Hunter teaches us to beware of boredom eating, especially before a competition! (Instead, perhaps try distracting your kids by listening to music or visualizing the competition.)

5. She tells us to always make a snack with a combination of carbs and protein, like the examples above! (And no, the mozzarella sticks can't be fried.).