The Dance Nutritionist®
Dance nutrition involves nutrient-dense food choices, meal plans, and balanced recipes. Dance nutrition also plays a role in 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 and I’m a former professional dancer turned Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. I founded To The Pointe Nutrition in 2013 with the mission to provide certified nutrition education to dancers of all ages and levels. As a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS), a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), and Certified Counselor of Intuitive Eating, I built The Healthy Dancer® community to combine the principles of performance nutrition with a non-diet approach to eating.
I received my Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics from New York University and completed my Dietetic Internship at NYU Langone Medical Center and at The Mount Sinai Hospital. After receiving licensure and certification, I joined the staff at NYU Langone Medical Center as a Clinical Dietitian and worked as NYU’s Clinical Adjunct Co-Instructor for Medical Nutrition Therapy. My experience among populations in the performing arts stems further with research at NYU Langone’s Harkness Center for Dance Injuries and appointment of Adjunct Professor of Sports Nutrition at Long Island University (LIU) Post. I’ve also been presented as a recurring Nominee for the Dance Educator’s Award from the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS).
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FAQs
How should I use this site?
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 with a qualified health professional such as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
I’m a dancer looking for help with nutrition and meal planning. I want to learn how to fuel my body for health and performance. Who can I contact?
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 more about working with a dietitian.
I think my diet is restrictive, but I’m scared to add more food and I’m worried about weight gain. What should I do?
Seek a licensed professional, such as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, to construct a plan for your specific goals. Intuitive eating is a method developed by two Registered Dietitians (Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Reich). 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 also encourage a non-restrictive approach where all foods can fit, guilt-free, into a balanced lifestyle. Dancers can consider working with a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor who is specifically knowledgeable about the physical and mental demands of dance.
How do I sign up for The Healthy Dancer™?
The Healthy Dancer™ is an online training course designed for dancers ages 11 and up. The program is self-paced. Upon sign up, you receive 50 dancer-specific lessons, guides, worksheets and more. One-on-one coaching sessions are available throughout the course and thereafter.
I’m a teacher/studio director and would like to provide my students with nutrition information.
Dance teachers and studio directors nationwide are using The Healthy Dancer™ to implement nutrition education into training programs and summer intensives. Nutrition workshops are also beneficial for group settings. Click here for more information.
Can I reproduce the #TTPGuide handouts from this site and from The Healthy Dancer™ and give to my students/parents/company members?
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.
