Dr Gemma Sampson: The Psychology of Eating. A Dietitian's Perspective.

In this episode of the WMN podcast, hosts Georgie Howe and Sheridan Braatvedt chat with Dr. Gemma Sampson, an advanced sports dietitian, to discuss the critical role of nutrition in female athletes' performance. They explore common nutrition mistakes, the impact of cultural beliefs on eating habits, and the importance of adequate fueling for training and recovery. Gemma shares her journey into sports nutrition, the challenges faced by female athletes, and the need for a compassionate approach to address disordered eating and energy availability issues. The conversation emphasises the significance of understanding one's body, the timing of nutrition intake, and the necessity for tailored nutritional guidance for women in sports.

Trigger warning in this ep + support services below.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Female Athlete Nutrition

01:11 Gemma Sampson's Journey in Sports Nutrition

05:49 Cultural Challenges in Sports Nutrition

09:02 The Fueled Framework Explained

11:43 Overcoming Fear of Food

17:24 Understanding Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorders

28:46 Recognising RED-S and Its Impacts

37:07 The Shift in Nutrition Awareness

45:18 The Importance of Timing in Nutrition

55:40 Final Thoughts on Nutrition and Performance

Work with Dr. Gemma Sampson: https://www.gemmasampson.com/apply

🇦🇺 Australian Support Services

Butterfly Foundation – Call 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673), use online chat, or access self-help resources

Beyond Blue – Call 1300 22 4636, or explore extensive online resources for mental health support

Lifeline – Call 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)

Suicide Call Back Service – Call 1300 659 467 for counselling support

MindSpot – Free online mental health assessment and CBT treatment courses

Black Dog Institute – Clinical services and digital mental health tools

ReachOut – Support forums and resources for young people

Kids Helpline – Call 1800 55 1800 for support (ages 5–25)

🌍 International Support Resources

NEDA (USA) – Information, screening tools, and helplines for eating disorders

AED – Academy for Eating Disorders – Global network of professionals and evidence-based resources

Eating Disorder Hope – Treatment resources and recovery content

Beat (UK) – UK's leading eating disorder charity, helplines and support tools

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