By Gabrielle Finora
We caught up with Laura Moretti, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian (CSSD) based in Boston, MA. She specializes in performance-based nutrition and eating disorders in athletes. Laura is a dietitian in the Division of Sports Medicine and the Female Athlete Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. She is also the co-chair of the Sport and Exercise Special Interest Group of the International Academy of Eating Disorders.
In our interview, we asked how social media influences your teen’s eating habits, dangerous trends like “looksmaxxing”, and teaching athletes how to fuel their bodies rather than caving to outside influence.
How are teen athletes affected by sports influencers?
The role of social media in teen’s lives is huge and regularly comes up in meetings. I recently had a client ask about a trend she had seen on TikTok.
Teen and preteen athletes are looking for useful information. When a teen sees a professional athlete with a big presence on social media promoting a particular diet, workout plan, or product, they latch onto that advice because they think it will get them to where that professional is, especially if they are in the same sport. It can be dangerous since professional athletes likely do not have an educational background in nutrition. That is not always the case, but influencers can unfortunately serve as a primary source of information for teens.
Who are the “healthier” sports influencers? Who is your favorite?
We are all living in Ilona Maher’s world right now and I am loving it. She’s saying the things that people need to hear, and quickly becoming the face of diverse beauty. She is my go-to gal.
In the elite running world, people who have spoken up about eating disorders include women like Lauren Fleshman, with her letter to her younger self, and Mary Cain, with her big op-ed in the New York Times about her experience as a Nike athlete. These have been important pieces of writing for the athletic community.
Where do teenagers’ thoughts about body image and nutrition come from?
A lot of the time it starts at home with the way parents speak to their children. Parents should promote “all foods fit” and say things that take the focus away from toxic, size-based beauty standards. As a parent of a 4-year-old girl, I love using “strong” to describe her body. I use it all the time with my patients too, to promote the idea that food can make you “strong” in your body.
Peer influence comes up frequently in patient conversations and I am forced to keep up with the latest social media trends! Educated people promoting healthy body images make a bigger difference than we think. The more we can defy stereotypes, the better social media can be.
Coaches can play a role in influencing athletes, too. When you have a coach helping an athlete fuel their body correctly, emphasizing what the body can do rather than looks, and promoting self-care, especially in aesthetic sports, you can see a positive effect on an athlete’s mental health and performance.
How have recent trends on social media, like “looksmaxxing”, influenced eating disorders in young boys and men?
I get plenty of male clients wanting to achieve that overly muscular physique, specifically looking for a 6-pack or 8-pack. A lot of my male clients going through puberty come to me with expectations to look like the “Adonis.” Looking “cut” and “built”, and the dangerous methods they use to attain that look have become a huge segment in meetings. Females are not alone in this.
How dangerous are TikTok algorithms for teenagers with eating disorders?
They are very dangerous. If the algorithm knows you have an eating disorder, it will feed you content that fuels that disorder. It would be amazing if instead, it gave you content that challenged you, like a pro-recovery account. Social media is like a little honing device pulling you towards your struggles as opposed to challenging them.
“Social media is like a little honing device pulling you towards your struggles as opposed to challenging them.”
How do you teach teen athletes to meet their needs?
Education is a big part of my work with athletes. I tell my clients: “Your body is like a car. The more you drive, the more fuel you need”. I use a tool called The Athlete’s Plate to help athletes understand their fueling needs. It demonstrates how their plate composition can change with different goals in mind. I also like to review myths they hear on social media to increase their buy-in with me and what sports nutrition can do for them.
The second part is finding what motivates them. I like to uncover the main goal of an athlete, such as getting faster or stronger. I drive the message home that you can’t do that on “empty.” Food is the fuel your body needs to perform.
“Your body is like a car. The more you drive, the more fuel you need.”
Characteristics like perfectionism, motivation to avoid negative consequences, and high sensitivity to social rewards are present in people with eating disorders1. How does this relate to an athletic environment?
We see a lot of perfectionism in successful athletes. Athletes are so driven for success and are taught to perform despite discomfort. Unfortunately, that drive to succeed can sometimes seep into other areas to perfect everything about themselves. The athlete mindset may explain why we see higher rates of eating disorders among athletes than non-athletes.
How can coaches help athletes achieve goals and improve self-confidence?
Coaches lay the foundation to help an athlete best succeed and I’m not just talking about nutrition. Allowing time for homework, being with friends, fueling properly, and rest are critical. Coaches spend a lot of time with their athletes, so monitoring them is important to ensure they are eating and hydrating.
Coaches should be aware of the language used and the development stages in their team. Sometimes, teams will have a wide range of development. It is important not to push someone further than they can physically go and avoid comparison between players. Coaches should focus on strength, power, and individual development.
When should a teen athlete see a CSSD RD?
Anytime. You don’t have to wait for a problem to see us. We love to educate athletes preventively (specifically about puberty and hormonal health in teens), collaborate with other dietitians from other specialties, and meet you where you are in your training to help you achieve your goals.
“You don’t have to wait for a problem to see us.”
What should athletes do if their coach uses language or training tactics that promote unhealthy habits?
It depends on the age of the athlete. For high school athletes, talk with the captain, athletic trainer, or parent. For younger athletes, having a parent speak directly with the coach or a superior. Do not be afraid to have the conversation because if you are having a problem, someone else likely is too.
What should an athlete do if a teammate is struggling with disordered eating?
Reach out to a trusted person like a coach, athletic trainer, or parent. Do not speak to other teammates, even if you think it is in your friend’s best interest. If you feel comfortable speaking directly to your teammate, approach them from a place of concern, never accusatory. Something you could say is: “Hey, how are things going?” and go from there.
What is your favorite cookbook or blog with meals for teen athletes?
The Run Fast, Eat Slow cookbook by Elyse Kopecky and Shalane Flanagan has some good recipes. Runner’s World is another good choice.
Do you have a favorite recipe you recommend to your clients that we could share with ours?
That’s tough because I have so many! Here is my quick and easy meat sauce and pasta recipe.
Start by sauteing ground turkey, chicken, or beef, then add your favorite jarred tomato sauce. From there, you can serve this over any pasta and have a meal in less than 15 minutes. You can add vegetables into the sauce like spinach, or make a side salad. The macronutrients are perfect for an athlete. And best of all, it freezes well!
Is it time for you or your athlete to see a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics? Visit Laura Moretti’s website for more information about her and the services she can provide.
References
- Farstad, S. M., McGeown, L. M., & von Ranson, K. M. (2016). Eating disorders and personality, 2004–2016: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 46, 91–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.04.005
