Has your interest in healthy eating become more of an obsession? Dancers are at risk to perfectionism, which can drive rates of disordered eating and eating disorders. Orthorexia describes the unhealthy obsession with healthy eating. Learn more about orthorexia and disordered eating among dancers.
Read More...What you might be getting wrong about Intuitive Eating
There’s a major misconception about Intuitive eating and it is one of the reasons why dancers hesitate to shift to the non-diet approach. At a glance, intuitive eating seems like a plan that involves eating what you want, when you want — without a thought or care. This depiction is not only oversimplified, but it […]
Read More...Is Meal Timing Really Important for Dancers?
A common challenge for dancers who are just beginning their work with me is unraveling the topic of meal timing. For most dancers, a flexible meal and snack routine is the backbone that supports adequate nourishment. But even with flexibility, meal and snack guidance remains vulnerable to the same perfectionistic qualities that drive disordered eating. […]
Read More...How to Challenge The Food Police
The food police is a compilation of thoughts and messages that not only drive our food choices but also, judge them. As a dietitian, I’ve had my fair share of skeptical dancers and dance parents assume that I might police their mealtime choices. But this couldn’t be any further from the truth!
Read More...Am I On A Diet? The Four Eating Personalities
In their book, Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program that Works, authors and registered dietitians, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, categorize four separate eating styles to distinguish between various eating behaviors. To dismantle diet culture, it can be very helpful to identify the type of eating (or dieting) personality that you feel is most relatable. This will increase your awareness of behaviors around eating and subsequently, dieting.
Read More...Dancers, Fear of Weight Gain isn’t helping
During a layoff or time spent not dancing, it is possible that you’ll gain weight. It’s also possible that you’ll lose weight and maybe even maintain your weight. If you’re coming from a place of extreme food restriction, it’s likely that you’ll experience weight gain upon healing your relationship with food. Coming to terms with a few truths is often part of the puzzle. Here are 10+ truths about dancer weight gain.
Read More...Dancers and discipline: a recipe for success or for disordered eating?
As a former dancer turned Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I can attest to a few common traits that, for most dancers at some point in their training and careers, feel relatable. Self-discipline is one and preliminary research even suggests that a relationship exists between one’s degree of self-discipline and some forms of physical activity. For much […]
Read More...‘What I Eat In A Day’ As A Dancer and Nutritionist
I bet I caught your attention. With over 15 billion views (and counting) on the hashtag, “What I Eat In A Day” vlogs are everywhere and dancers need to understand their impact. Oftentimes the intent is harmless. ‘What I Eat In A Day” vlogs are short-form videos that display everything a dancer eats throughout their […]
Read More...What are “fun” foods and can dancers eat them?
Restrictive dieting behaviors, whether obvious (like calorie counting) or subtle (like “clean” eating) strip the fun from food― turning eating experiences into math equations riddled with angst and guilt. As discussed in this article, however, even “fun foods” that are technically considered to be less nutrient-dense can (and should) be included in your dance fueling […]
Read More...Holistic Nutrition for Dancers
[UPDATED] A holistic approach to nutrition is not prescriptive but rather, guided. Dancers utilize self-discovery to inform their decisions around food and movement. Ultimately, this supports a dancer’s whole being, including their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Read More...Overcoming The Orthorexic Identity
Struggling to separate who you are from disordered eating can feel overwhelming, especially for dancers. Many dancers are praised for “healthy” eating or strict training routines, making it easy to define yourself by those behaviors. But your worth is bigger than any diet rule or exercise pattern. This post offers practical strategies to reclaim your identity, nourish your body, and move through dance with confidence.
Read More...Superfoods For Dancers
Superfoods are a buzzy topic in the New Year. But what actually deems a food to be a “superfood?” The Healthy Dancer® Functional Fuel technique identifies options to to refuel, rebuild and recover.
Read More...The Healthy Dancer® Dancer Testimonial
Disordered eating is a struggle for many dancers (here’s why). An influx of misinformation from self-proclaimed nutrition experts is often the reason. Those misinformed about how dancers can fuse the principles of intuitve eating with the fundamentals of sports nutrition translate recommendations into polarizing ideas like “eat whatever you want, when you want” and “clean” […]
Read More...15+ Plant-Based Breakfast Recipes for Dancers
For dancers choosing a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, focusing on abundance and variety helps to ensure that that you’re eating enough to support your performance. But for some dancers, choosing a lifestyle that is 100% plant-based can risk vitamin and mineral deficiencies (if not well-planned) and even trigger disordered eating (if not implemented with the help of professional support). Here are our favorite vegan breakfast recipes!
Read More...Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
There’s something magical about overripe bananas. Rather than tossing them out, they can be transformed into a comforting, delicious, and nourishing snack. This banana bread recipe is the perfect remedy for those extra-ripe bananas hanging around your kitchen. The combination of flavors, moisture, and the added bonus of chocolate chips makes it irresistible— whether you’re […]
Read More...20+ Healthy and Delicious Snack Recipes
What exactly is a healthy snack? Convenience, variety, flexibility, and balance. With busy schedules, snacking is a must for dancers. Here are our 20+ favorite snacks to prep and pack for your week!
Read More...20+ Healthy and Delicious Dinner Recipes
Dinner is a great time to pause, enjoy the family (or alone) time, and reflect on your day. Incorporating a balance of macronutrients sets you up for tomorrow’s success. In this article, we’re sharing over 20 favorite healthy, easy, and delicious recipes to try!
Read More...20+ Healthy and Delicious Lunch Recipes
While time is often limited during a busy day, building a balanced lunch is key to surviving long afternoons. Prioritizing quick and easy nutritious meals can help to maintain your energy levels to beat that midday hump. But without a doubt, busy schedules often get the most of us.
Read More...20+ Healthy and Delicious Breakfast Recipes
What does a healthy and easy breakfast look like? Building a nutritious breakfast starts the day with the tools your body needs for an energized and productive morning. The following recipes are a compilation of favorites to enjoy. Bookmark this page as we’re adding new recipes to the list monthly!
Read More...The Healthy Dancer® Review: What Tiny Pretty Things Gets Right
As a nutritionist for dancers, my work goes far beyond meal plans and portion guides. It’s about advocating for a healthier, more sustainable dance world— one where artistry isn’t sacrificed for body image, and well-being is prioritized alongside technique. I’ve made it my mission to help shift our industry away from outdated, harmful standards. So naturally, I was apprehensive when I hit “play” on Tiny Pretty Things. Here’s my review of the Netflix drama.
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