Question about child athletes and nutrition needs

[Freckles]

Hi I am hoping someone can answer this for me...

My 10 yr old daughter is a competitive gymnast. She has been in gymnastics since she was 2, and is now at the gym training 12-16 hours a week as a level 5 USAG Junior Olympian gymnast. Some of what she does every day are 15 pull ups, 15 chin ups, 15 leg lifts while hanging from her arms..ect...in other words they do a LOT of conditioning and she is very strong and muscular for a tiny girl. She weighs about 55 lbs and is just over 4 ft tall.

We got a letter for the coach today expressing some concern over the number of injuries being more this year than in the past, and one of the aspects she was addressing is nutrition. She is concerned that girls are getting adequate calcium and you guessed it protein...and she specifically mentioned the girls who are vegetarian.

My DD has been vegetarian since she was 7, she consumes a little dairy but is leaning towards dropping it altogether as she seems to be having more and more stomach issues with it.

My question is, is there a definitive number I should be aiming for in regards to her protein intake...what is her need given her conditioning and exercise level ? I wanted the opinion of a plant based person so I have the info when I speak to her coach...and I just wanted to know if I should be making sure she gets a bit more protein than I do or not worry at all? She is a good eater, and will eat any plant based meal I put in font of her, I just want to be sure I am indeed doing enough for her!

Thanks!

[jamietwo]

A low-fat, plant-based, whole foods diet provides all the protein anyone needs, including young and old athletes! Dr. McDougall has addressed this before. Maybe do a search?

Unfortunately most medical professionals, not to mention coaches, are not up-to-speed on healthy, plant-based diets. My young teen has never eaten any animal products, and he's very active (skateboarding, snowboarding, soccer, pull-ups, push-ups, etc).

I hope your daughter will give up dairy too - she'll probably feel better, and she can get her calcium through green leafies and other plant foods!

[TerriT]

You may want to ask Dr McDougall directly. He has written recently in the newsletter about children's nutritional needs. His contact details are on the "about" page (click on the tab above).

[Freckles]

A low-fat, plant-based, whole foods diet provides all the protein anyone needs, including young and old athletes! Dr. McDougall has addressed this before. Maybe do a search?

Unfortunately most medical professionals, not to mention coaches, are not up-to-speed on healthy, plant-based diets. My young teen has never eaten any animal products, and he's very active (skateboarding, snowboarding, soccer, pull-ups, push-ups, etc).

I hope your daughter will give up dairy too - she'll probably feel better, and she can get her calcium through green leafies and other plant foods!

Oh I am pretty sure she will give up the dairy, its just a matter of time. She is an ethical Vegetarian, once she made the connection between her food and that cute animal she swore off meat. I am positive once she knows the truth about the dairy and egg industry she will be vegan. I just have yet to show her too much, being that she is just 10, but we have talked about things and will continue to talk. Harder thing is getting my husband to ditch the dairy! HE just wont listen!

I tried searching and did not find a clear enough answer... Her physical activity level is above the norm...I dont know many girls outside of her gym with the same level of muscle development, even in other sports. My kid has a visible 6 pack and defined arm and leg muscles, so I just want to be 100% positive she is getting everything she needs, and that a bit of extra plant protein wont HURT... But I dont want to be giving her protein shakes as her coaches are recommending for kids with poor diets!!

[Freckles]

You may want to ask Dr McDougall directly. He has written recently in the newsletter about children's nutritional needs. His contact details are on the "about" page (click on the tab above).

Thank you. I think what I am looking for is a number...how many grams of protein she needs given her exercise, activity level and wt. I want to be armed with info when I get called in to the coaches office AGAIN after filling out her meal survey.

Why do us veggies freak everyone out so much!??

[LoriLynn]

Hi I am hoping someone can answer this for me...

My 10 yr old daughter is a competitive gymnast. She has been in gymnastics since she was 2, and is now at the gym training 12-16 hours a week as a level 5 USAG Junior Olympian gymnast. Some of what she does every day are 15 pull ups, 15 chin ups, 15 leg lifts while hanging from her arms..ect...in other words they do a LOT of conditioning and she is very strong and muscular for a tiny girl. She weighs about 55 lbs and is just over 4 ft tall.

Hi!

My daughter is also a competitive gymnast (Level 4, age 9). She started two years ago at age 7. We planned to start sooner, but my daughter broke her arm on the monkey bars the day before she was to start. All that dairy she was pouring down her throat didn't do much to build strong bones. In fact, now that we eat like this, she is healthier and stronger than ever before.

Perhaps you could just find Dr. McDougall's advice on child nutrition and print it up for your coach and leave it at that. You won't convince your coach, but the coach will understand that you have done your research and have a plan.

My issue is that my girl won't eat any fruit and very few veggies. She really does live on rice, pasta and beans. After years of effort, she will now eat peas, corn on the cob, salsa, asparagus and artichokes. She eats a lot of fat (avocados, nuts, etc), but I figure it isn't too bad since like your girl, she works out about 11 hours a week of hard conditioning.

[drgnflyz]

My question is, is there a definitive number I should be aiming for in regards to her protein intake...what is her need given her conditioning and exercise level ? I wanted the opinion of a plant based person so I have the info when I speak to her coach...and I just wanted to know if I should be making sure she gets a bit more protein than I do or not worry at all? She is a good eater, and will eat any plant based meal I put in font of her, I just want to be sure I am indeed doing enough for her!

Thanks!

I am new to this forum- first post. Just wondering if you got an answer to your above question? I have been raw vegan several times over the past few years, and each time I slide back into the S.A.D. because that is what the rest of my family eats. Now my husband is on board and I want to make sure my 14 and 12yr old boys are getting the proper nutrition on a whole foods, plant based diet (hopefully moving into raw). They are resistant to the change so I am also seeking support for yummy, easy recipes.