How Cheska Kramer and Dimples Romana Raise Strong Athlete Kids

“My kids train every day, two to three times in a day. So, you can just imagine how much energy they’re burning and how much food they need to replenish what they’re burning, while at the same time building their muscle... It’s so pivotal because they need that energy to be at the top of their game,” Cheska said at the PediaSure Plus “Powering Up for Faster Growth” media launch on July 15.

She also shared that she and her husband work with a nutritionist to plan meals that meet their family’s needs.

“For my kids, we’re big on protein because they really need that,” she explained.

At home, meals are prepared ahead so eating remains stress-free despite their packed schedules. Cheska also believes that giving her kids balance is just as important. “I also allow them to have cheat days. On weekends, they can maybe have pizza. ʻDi naman tayo boring, ʻdi ba? We also have to let them enjoy their free days,” she said.

“Us adults, we’re always encouraged to eat smart and stay healthy. More so for our kids. They have a lifelong [journey] to do all these things. They’re studying, they have sports... dapat ʻdi rin sila sakitin,” Cheska said, highlighting how nutrition is part of their everyday life. “Nutrition really plays a big part.”

She reminded parents not to tire of guiding their children. “And us being intentional, dapat ʻdi rin tayo magsawa, tayong parents, to feed our kids properly, to find the right supplements, to encourage proper growth for them. We need to guide them.”

For Dimples, nutrition begins with listening. She believes that mealtimes should be a conversation, not just instructions.

“I want to reiterate the importance of listening to our kids. Sometimes they say no to us so many times that we forget these are also little human beings who deserve to be listened to.

In my case, I always ask my children to guide me naman. It’s a different environment for us. I always ask them, what is it on this list that you hate the most? What is it that you love the most? What will you eat more?” she shared.

“You don’t want them to hate eating naman,” Cheska replied. “That’s a good point.”

Growing up with a tiger mom, Dimples learned that eating well wasn’t optional. Her mother made sure every bite counted. But for her, feeding her kids isn’t just about getting the right food on the plate. It is about making health intentional and meaningful.

Like Cheska, Dimples involves her children in preparing meals and explains how each food helps their bodies. With her second child, Alonzo, she turns food into stories he understands, making healthy eating feel meaningful.

“I’m more on explaining the beauty of eating well and eating right,” she said. “Napansin ko talaga, when kids are involved in the conversation of health, like what it means to drink their milk or what it means to sleep enough, [it becomes enjoyable for them].”

Dimples doesn’t teach her kids about health by giving lectures. She shows them through her actions, turning it into play and discovery.

“I always make sure that eating becomes play for them, too. When they’re younger, children learn better through play. Understanding is better through play,” she said.