The Dance Nutritionist®
Dance nutrition involves nutrient-dense food choices, meal plans, and balanced recipes. Dance nutrition also affects a dancer’s emotional and mental well-being. With an endless supply of nutrition information, it’s difficult to decipher between healthy habits and unsustainable disordered eating behaviors.
Hi! I’m Rachel Fine, a professional dancer turned board-certified Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with advanced certifications in Eating Disorders (CEDS-C), Sports Nutrition (CSSD), and Intuitive Eating. I founded To The Pointe Nutrition in 2013 and built The Healthy Dancer® curriculum to provide credible nutrition education to all dancers, including dance parents and educators worldwide.
The Healthy Dancer® combines my expertise in performance nutrition with a non-diet and weight-inclusive approach to food and body image. I specialize in nutrition for dancers, with a focus on eating disorders, disordered eating, orthorexia, and perfectionism.
With a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University, I completed my Dietetic Internship at NYU Langone Medical Center and Mount Sinai Hospital. After receiving licensure, I joined the staff at NYU Langone Medical Center as a Clinical Dietitian. Past appointments include Clinical Adjunct Instructor of Medical Nutrition Therapy at New York University, Adjunct Professor of Sports Nutrition at Long Island University, and research at NYU Langone’s Harkness Center for Dance Injuries.
In addition to my work in private practice, I’m a monthly columnist and recurring contributor for Dance Magazine, Pointe Magazine, and Dance Teacher Magazine. I also serve as the leading nutrition expert and dietitian for Dance Masterclass, Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP), and am the consulting on-site dietitian for The School of American Ballet.
FAQs
All materials are copyrighted and cannot be distributed without permission. If you’re looking to supply nutrition information to your studio, school, or company, use the contact form above to request resources.
Nutrition workshops can be provided to dancers in group settings, usually at studios or within dance companies. Nurturing The Healthy Dancer® is a customizable nutrition workshop designed by Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and dancer Rachel Fine of To The Pointe Nutrition. A snapshot of topics covered in this dance nutrition workshop include:
- The risks of disordered eating among dancers.
- The importance of balance among the macronutrients.
- The key elements of building sustainable habits around meals and snacks.
- Boosting body image and body confidence.
- The role of nutrition in injury prevention.
- The role of nutrition in injury recovery.
- Meal planning and the role of pre-performance nutrition principles.
Since 2013, Rachel has brought her expertise to studios and companies worldwide. Dance educators should consider Nurturing The Healthy Dancer® as a sound option to build their dancers’ knowledge of food and nutrition. Click here to learn more about the benefits of nutrition workshops for dancers and how to determine the right time for a workshop for your dancers.
The Healthy Dancer® is an online training course for dancers ages 11 and up. This is a monthly membership designed to offer community and ongoing support. One-on-one coaching sessions are available throughout the membership. Click here to learn more.
This site is for informational purposes only. Use it as a resource. The information is general and not specific to you. If looking for personalized nutrition advice, consult a qualified health professional such as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Seek a licensed professional, such as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, to construct a plan for your specific goals. To further your support, working with a board-certified specialist in the treatment of eating disorders and intuitive eating is encouraged. Intuitive eating describes a lifestyle where food holds no moral value of “good” versus “bad” or “right” versus “wrong.” While dancers benefit from proper meal planning to manage busy schedules, dance nutrition should encourage a non-restrictive approach where all foods can fit, guilt-free, into a balanced lifestyle.
Seek a licensed professional. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, can construct a plan for your specific goals. Dietitians complete years of rigorous training to develop expertise in the field of food and nutrition. A Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics can further work with dancers to tailor performance needs. For more information, complete the form above to learn about working with a dietitian.
Dance teachers and studio directors nationwide use The Healthy Dancer® to implement nutrition education into training programs and summer intensives. The Healthy Dancer® Nutrition & Wellness Initiative is a great place to start. Additionally, workshops are available for groups. Click here for more information.
