With fall cheerleading close at hand, many students looking forward to fall events with their school's squad may be looking at their waistline in dismay. All those popsicles and ice cream over the summer may have really cut the heat, but the calories have also been adding up. With school so close it can be tempting to take short cuts and it seems like every week there is some new diet to try -- you probably even have a friend who swears by the latest one they are trying. Even if they may quit a week from now, right now they will tell you it is the best thing ever.

Don't be fooled. Though a diet may cause short term weight loss, studies show that few people stick to them and any losses come right back when they quit. Scientists have also suggested that poor nutrition can even cause asthma or other problems. For hard working athletes like cheerleaders, the body simply cannot afford to be in less than top condition. Eating less calories than your body needs will mean you won't have the energy to perform when you need it.

"Learning to eat properly every day of your life is the key," says Cheer Channel's Cindy Villarreal. Eating regular, balanced meals with a wide variety of foods is the basic rule of good eating. And make sure not to skip breakfast -- as easy as it can be to rush out the door in the morning, people who skip the first meal of the day have actually been shown to gain weight. Talk to your doctor or coach for ideas on how to make the most of the food choices available to you in school.

For more great cheerleading tips, get the Complete Guide to Cheerleading from the Cheer store.