In this section we hope to provide you with some useful information that may reassure you about some of the strategies you are currently adopting, provide you with further insights, and also help you to overcome or manage some of the challenges you may be facing.
As a parent you play a very important role in providing your child with the necessary food and fluid to meet their training and competition demands. More importantly, by encouraging your child to consume the necessary types and amounts of nutrients (through the foods your provide), you are supporting their overall growth and health.
In the short-term, the foods your purchase and prepare will directly impact on your child’s nutrient intake. But, in the long-term, when perhaps your child is competing or training away from home, their exposure to food preparation and cooking, along with their understanding of basic nutritional principles and understanding of food labels will be become particularly useful. Such skills will subsequently ensure your child has the capability to successfully manage their own nutritional needs when they leave home and potentially progress in their sporting careers.
However, we recognise that providing your child with the right types of nutrients is not always simple. In our conversations with parents, challenges such as the lack of time, travel demands to and from school, training, and work can present considerable barriers to nutrient provision. We are also aware that the foods your child likes and dislikes may frequently change.
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Is my child drinking enough?
The importance of hydration is well publicised but it is important to be aware that you can consume too much and too little. Unfortunately there is a wide variation in sweat loss between athletes and consequently it is difficult for guidelines to specify the exact amount of fluid needed by all individuals in all situations. Instead you should encourage your child to monitor their own hydration status using some simple techniques. By monitoring their own status, they can then individualise and refine their own hydration strategies.
Does my child need to consume a sports drink?
Sports drinks typically comprise of water, carbohydrate, and sodium. Although sports drinks are promoted to support performance, not everyone needs or will benefit from consuming a sports drink. Typically you should consider both the duration of your child’s exercise as well as their goals (e.g., training adaptation versus competition performance).
Should my child use dietary supplements?
Currently all athletes (children and adults) are encouraged to adopt a food first approach. Current guidelines suggest that in the absence of a diagnosed nutrient deficiency, it is inappropriate for young athletes to take dietary supplements for performance enhancement. However, if you are considering the use of dietary supplements, you should 1) assess the need, 2) assess the risk, 3) assess the consequences, and 4) minimise the risk.
Does my child need to use a vitamin or mineral supplement?
If your child is deficient in a vitamin or mineral, there will be a benefit of increasing intake. But if your child is not deficient, increasing the intake will have little effect on performance. In the absence of a diagnosed nutrient deficiency, a food first approach is the preferred option for athletes to meet the nutritional demands of their sport. In fact a variety of foods (not just fruit and vegetables) provide a wide range of vitamins and minerals and therefore supplementation is not considered essential.
