A general healthy eating pattern helps to support the needs of a gymnast. The training diet usually includes Lean protein for muscle repair and recovery, carbohydrate appropriately timed for fuel and fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds for vitamins and minerals, along with healthy fats.
Individual nutrition requirements will be determined by training load, specific athlete needs, training goals, body composition goals, health and adjustment for growth in younger athletes. During periods of heavy training it is important for a gymnast to have the right nutrition with adequate energy and nutrients to avoid fatigue (which can lead to serious injuries).
In addition, gymnasts are usually quite young and many prefer small frequent meals to fit their nutritional needs around their busy schedules of school, homework and long hours of training.