Caloric content of rhythmic gymnasts
Scientists have established that junior gymnast spends 50-62 kilocalories per 24 hours by every kilo of her weight. That’s why gymnasts of different age and weight consume different amount of food. Calorie calculation is made on the following scheme:
-weight of 30-39 kg – 1500-2000 kcal;
- weight of 40-49 kg – 2000-2500 kcal;
- weight of 50-59 kg – 2500-3000 kcal;
- weight of 60 kg – 3000-3500 kcal.
In case junior gymnast is supposed to be overweight according to the opinion of coach and doctor, the recommended quantity of calories can be reduced by 20-40% (it is allowed to reduce calories by 50% for adult gymnasts). Calorie reduce is achieved by exclusion or reduction of most caloric products containing carbohydrates and fats, such as confectionery and sweets, sugar, spaghetti, potatoes, bananas, grits, vegetable and dairy butter, milk products with high fat level, fat meat.
Diet
Number of trainings during the day defines the number of meals. If a gymnast has 1 training per day, it would be enough to eat 3 times a day. If a gymnast has 2 trainings per day, 4 meals a day would be enough. The same diet if a gymnast has severe academic load (preparation for exams etc.). If a gymnast has 3 trainings per day, the scheme of 5-times meal is applied.
Diet consists of systematic regular meals of small portions 1.5-2 hours before the training and not later than 2 hours before sleep. A meal is eaten 2.5-3 hours before entering the mat during competitions period.
Junior gymnast’s breakfast usually consists of carbohydrates, lunch – of proteins. Dinner should mainly consist of vegetables and fruits.
It would be useful to have hunger day once a week, when a gymnast doesn’t have any trainings. Only kefir, apples of berries could be eaten this day.
Water consumption is limited before the competitions. The gymnast feels her lightness and her muscles acquire more beautiful outline.
What products to prefer
It is recommended to use diet meat as a protein source: rabbit meat, beef, chicken or turkey, not fat meat of young sheep. It’s better to cook meat on steam.
It is recommended to eat fresh fish 2-3 times a week. A gymnast should also eat 4-5 eggs every week. It is obligatory to include in a diet fermented milk products of low fat: kefir, ryazhenka, cottage cheese and cheese. Cereals can be a source of carbohydrates: buckwheat, oat, millet, rice.
Gymnasts should eat fresh vegetables and fruits every day in the amount of 600-800 gr. Fresh green head cabbage is highly recommended. Currant, blackberry, raspberry and gooseberry are desirable in a diet.
Dairy butter, olive and sunflower oil must be eaten in small quantity as they are sources of essential amino acids and some vitamins. Raisins, dried pitted and halved apricots, prune and nuts or piece of dark chocolate can be gymnasts’ dainties.
Irina Annenkova won gold in the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around 
