Dance as an Artist

Bloating, gas, constipation, and digestive discomfort are incredibly common among dancers, but they don’t automatically mean you’re eating the “wrong” foods. From fueling and meal timing to stress, training load, and gut-brain health, there are many factors that can influence how your digestive system feels. In this guide, we’ll unpack what may be behind digestive symptoms and how to support your gut without unnecessary restriction.

Back-to-school season means busy schedules, long days, and plenty of transitions for dancers. Between academics and dance, consistent nourishment can easily become an afterthought. My updated A Dancer’s Back-to-School Checklist shares practical nutrition strategies, snack ideas, and essentials to help dancers feel supported throughout the school year.

Seed oils have become one of the most controversial topics in nutrition, but are they actually unhealthy? From inflammation and omega-6 fats to cooking and processing, there’s a lot of conflicting information out there. Let’s look beyond the social media headlines and unpack what the research really tells us about seed oils and health. Spoiler: you probably don’t need to fear the oil in your pantry.

Food sensitivity tests promise a simple answer to a complicated question: Which foods are causing my symptoms? But many popular at-home tests cannot actually diagnose food sensitivities, and their results can lead to unnecessary restriction, anxiety around food, and delayed medical care. For dancers, this matters even more, because a growing list of “foods to avoid” can quickly interfere with adequate fueling and a healthy relationship with food. This blog post unpacks the controversy.

Dining out is meant to be joyful—good food, good company, good memories. But for many dancers navigating food rules or disordered eating, restaurant meals can trigger real stress and anxiety. In this guide, registered dietitian Rachel Fine explains why dining out feels so hard for dancers and shares five practical, judgment-free tips to make it easier. Learn how to fuel beforehand, focus on the experience, welcome discomfort, embrace flexibility, and use visualization to dine out without food rules.

Feeling “not hungry” might sound impossible if you have a larger appetite — but for dancers, a disappearing appetite is surprisingly common. Missing hunger cues can stem from a packed schedule, chronic under-fueling, over-exercising, natural energy fluctuations, or emotions like stress. The good news: each cause has a clear, supportive fix. Here are the five most common reasons your hunger goes M.I.A. and how to get it back.