Popular Posts

Dancers, Hypermobility, and The Role of Nutrition

For many dancers, hypermobility can feel like a plus in the studio. Aesthetic ideals often depict lines that boast hyperextension. There are several different subtypes of hypermobility, with some being less problematic than others. According to the Ehlers-Danlos Society “…hypermobility that does not cause pain…[asymptomatic joint hypermobility] does not need to be treated.” But when hypermobility presents alongside joint instability, problems arise.

Restrictive thinking and how to overcome it

Food thoughts bear a heavy impact on our relationships with food. Feelings like “I shouldn’t be eating this” and “I’m so bad for wanting this!” often come alongside food guilt, paving the way for challenging eating experiences. If you’ve ever ridiculed yourself for eating “too much” and/or eating the “wrong” foods, then it’s possible that you’re struggling with restrictive food thoughts or restrictive thinking. Restrictive thinking is a type of food restriction that may or may not involve an actual caloric restriction or food avoidance.

Are Genetically Modified Foods Safe?

If you’ve ever examined the packaging of a standard snack bag then chances are you’ll notice a label touting “Non-GMO.” Dancers who struggle with clean eating often find themselves questioning the safety of processed foods and since nearly 80% of processed foods contain at least one genetically modified ingredient, it’s imperative that we unravel the […]

Healing from diet culture- am I ready to eat intuitively?

Intuitive eating— especially for dancers, cannot be the first and only step in your journey towards building a supportive relationship with food. A supportive relationship with food can look different for every dancer, but generally, it allows for food to be pleasurable while honoring the options that are accessible to you. Part of the intuitive eating paradigm is to support adequate nourishment— this means relying on flexible meal planning. But if your goal is to transition out of such a flexible meal plan, then you’ll want to first assess whether or not you’re ready. This article uncovers 5 key identifiers to support your readiness for intuitive eating.

Mindless eating- here’s why you shouldn’t worry

Mindless eating is often scrutinized as a behavior that needs to be intervened upon to avoid “over”-eating. But mindless eating can provide us with good feedback— a sign that our bodies are needing something to move through distress. This article will discuss the most common reasons why dancers might mindlessly eat, and offer actionable steps to navigate the experience.

A Dancer’s Complete Guide to Protein

The benefits of protein are vast: protein is essential for rebuilding and repairing muscle tissue, which undergoes a natural level of wear and tears from intense activity (like dancing). Because dancers are more vulnerable to perfectionism and disordered eating, I don’t encourage them to calculate nor track daily protein intake. If concerns exist, such as a dancer feeling worried that they are eating too little (or too much) protein, then it’s recommended they consult with a licensed Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Performance Recovery Nutrition for Dancers

Generalized recovery to support your day-to-day dancing. Similar to how pre-performance meal planning supports your energy, prioritizing post-performance recovery plays a major role in the longevity of your dancing. In fact, chronic fatigue, excessive soreness, and the inability to focus can all be linked to subpar recovery efforts.

Food Anxiety and How to conquer it

Dancers might experience food anxiety for a number of reasons. Many (but not all) relate to past experiences with food deprivation. Food anxiety can feel like a major obstacle that limits your ability to heal your relationship with food. This article will discuss the most common reasons why dancers feel anxious and how to overcome it.

A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Dancers- here’s what you’ll gain

Dietitians are trained to work with dancers at the individual and institutional levels. Dietitians can support dancers’ performance potential and help them rebuild their relationships with food. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) can support dancers in a variety of ways, this article will explain how.

Anti-Inflammatory Diets- Will dancers benefit?

Anti-inflammatory diets are appetizing for dancers, especially given speculations surrounding intense athletic performance and inflammation. But is an anti-inflammatory diet a dancer’s key to both health and career longevity? This article will cover everything you need to know. What is inflammation? Inflammation is the body’s response to physical trauma or stress (not psychological stress). We […]

Help! I cannot eat when I’m stressed- emotional restrictive eating

How can dancers navigate a loss of appetite when experiencing emotional distress? Eating too few meals and snacks throughout your day also makes it harder to navigate emotional distress. A loss of appetite during times of emotional distress shouldn’t be ignored. In fact, dancers should proactively intervene— here are 5 actionable steps to do just that.

Is it really Anti-Diet? Here Are 5 Red Flags

Consumers are struggling to identify advice that is dismantling, and not promoting, a culture that oppresses so many. This article will offer 5 red flags for you to consider when scrolling through the not-so-“anti”-diet, diet advice flooding your social feeds. Precision Nutrition is one example- but this program largely rooted in “clean” eating and ultimately, pushing an agenda that isn’t just ineffective, it’s also harmful— exacerbating disordered eating among dancers.

How To Stop Feeling Guilty After Eating- Overcoming Food Guilt

Mental Health, Nutrition

There was a time in my life when I avoided dessert because I believed, “the guilt just wasn’t worth the bite.” My food guilt was so severe that thoughts about eating the bag of M&Ms consumed me for DAYS after eating them. And while this mental parade of guilt was exhausting, it always made its way into my brain, especially after another bout of “failed willpower” from an otherwise “clean” diet. But in my pursuit away from restrictive eating behaviors I overcame this food guilt, and today, I’m going to teach you how to do the same.

Dancers & Disordered Eating

Mental Health, Nutrition

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.

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 […]

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. […]

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!

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.

Dancers, Fear of Weight Gain isn’t helping

Mental Health, Nutrition

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.

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 […]