Nutrition

Is Fast Food Off-Limits for Dancers?

The controversy about fast food isn’t new for dancers. We’ve heard about the “dangers” of the Western diet— one that is often described as being high in fast and processed food. But for many dancers, whether on tour, traveling for auditions, or moving through competition season, fast food becomes an easily accessible source of nourishment.

Dancing After Surgery

For dancers, injuries are an unfortunate reality. More than 80% of dancers experience at least one injury during their career— a daunting statistic. Whether it’s a minor strain or a major fracture, dancing after an injury requires careful consideration and planning— a proactive and mindful approach to ensure your safe return to the studio. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key factors dancers should consider when dancing after an injury and surgery.

Battling Cold & Flu Season

For dancers, battling the common cold mean looking at both your plate and your lifestyle. Colder temperatures may promote the transmission of viruses and indirectly increase your risk of getting sick. Increasing your intake of foods high in Vitamin C can help support your immune system, but that’s not all. In this blog post, we’ll uncover critical steps to take to reduce your risk of getting sick this performance season.

15+ Oatmeal Recipes and Nutrition Boosters

Whether enjoyed plain or enhanced with toppings, oatmeal is a nutritious cornerstone in the dancer’s diet. As a complex carbohydrate, oatmeal offers sustained energy release, crucial for fueling intensive rehearsals and performances while helping to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Its high fiber content aids in digestive health, promoting a feeling of fullness. In this blog post, enjoy over 25 recipe and ingredient boosters for your oatmeal.

The Importance of Vitamin B12 for Dancers

Vitamin B12 plays an active role in many bodily functions— from your blood health and nerve functioning, to your growth and genetic makeup. Vitamin B12 also functions in the process of metabolism, supporting the breakdown and utilization of nutrients from food for energy. Since our bodies cannot produce vitamin B12, we must obtain it through our diet. In this blog post, we’ll explore why this vitamin is crucial for dancers, how to ensure an adequate intake and provide some delicious recipes to incorporate into your meal plan even if you’re a plant-based dancer.

30+ habits of The Healthy Dancer®

Becoming The Healthy Dancer® means challenging ideals— those dictating how dancers should and shouldn’t look, how much dancers should and shouldn’t train, what dancers should and shouldn’t eat, and how much dancers should and shouldn’t eat. Most importantly, it embodies the journey towards redefining this term: healthy. What are some characteristics of *healthy* dancers? In this blog post, we’re listing the most common among dancers who are actively supporting sustainable careers.

Salt for dancers: how much is too much?

Among the various nutrients, one that has garnered mixed reviews is salt. Many dancers fear salt. It’s not uncommon for dancers to go as far as restricting their salt intake altogether, fearing it will cause bloat and water retention. However, salt is an incredibly important mineral for a dancer’s body, and understanding its role can […]

How To Eat Healthy In College

College is an exciting time that brings about a newfound level of independence and autonomy. But for many college-aged dancers, limited time and financial resources can make the idea of fueling for performance stressful especially is residing in a dorm for a summer dance intensive or a year-round pre-professional program.

Food Variety- why dancers need more of it

Learning how to build a supportive eating routine is a tenet of The Healthy Dancer® — a key player in their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In my work as a dietitian for dancers, we prioritize balanced meals to ensure adequate fueling patterns. Alongside this is aiming for a variety of foods. But what does […]

Performing again… even in motherhood

I did a thing… and it wasn’t something I expected to do… ever again. Nearly 15 years ago, I said goodbye to stage life. At the time, I was struggling with disordered eating and feeling stuck in my identity as a dancer. Dancing had always been a MAJOR part of my life, but a newfound […]

The Importance of Iron for Dancers

Iron is a notable mineral relied upon by athletes for performance success— so much so that the International Olympic Committee recommends iron screenings during health evaluations. Despite a dancer’s needs being comparable to those of athletes, iron remains overlooked. In a study of female ballet dancers, more than half were reported to be iron deficient. In this blog post, we will explore the paramount importance of iron for dancers and how it contributes to their overall performance and well-being.

Dealing with Food Disappointment

We’ve all been there – eagerly anticipating a delicious meal only to be met with disappointment. At this moment, do we keep eating? Is it “worth it?” Whether it’s a homemade dish that didn’t turn out as expected or a restaurant experience that fell short, dealing with culinary letdowns is a part of our food journey. For dancers who struggle with disordered eating, however, this disappointment is amplified. In this post, we’ll explore practical tips on how to cope with a disappointing food or meal.

What’s The Best Diet for A Dancer?

In pursuit of their performance, dancers are often swayed by the illusion of a “perfect” diet. But in the context of food, this can lead them down an unsustainable path. Rigid food rules create a cycle of guilt, anxiety, and stress at mealtimes. With a dancer’s risk of developing an eating disorder three times higher than that of the general person, it’s imperative to recognize the importance of nutrition for performance. In this blog post, we’ll uncover 5 lifestyle changes to help dancers optimize their plates or performance.

Weight Loss for Dancers

Mental Health, Nutrition

A dancer’s desire to lose weight is the reality of an industry saturated with aesthetic ideals. But here’s the deal: as a clinician, it’s my ethical duty to educate dancers about the hard facts of not only dieting, but also, systemic fatphobia. Therefore, weight loss isn’t a priority for The Healthy Dancer®. Now, despite weight loss not being a priority for The Healthy Dancer®, it could be a symptom as you build a supportive relationship with food.

Your Mind-Body Connection: The Role of Food and Nutrition

Body Image, Nutrition

For dancers, the mind-body connection plays a pivotal role in developing artistic expression. A dancer’s mind-body connection relies on more than just a balanced plate. In this blog post, we will explore the intricate relationship between food, nutrition, and the mind-body connection for dancers— welcoming The Healthy Dancer® Body of Evidence as a tool to build your mind-body connection.

Can Frozen Food Be Healthy?

For busy dancers, frozen foods might just be the saving grace of a post-performance recovery meal. But from a nutrition perspective, these can be hit or miss with higher-than-recommended sodium counts and questionable ingredients. We can, however, consider a few helpful tips to turn frozen meals into a nourishing option.

Alleviate Muscle Cramping: Strategies for Dancers

Muscle cramping commonly leads to discomfort for dancers, ultimately hindering performance. Proper training, rest, and warm-up routines are crucial, but how about nutrition? Are there meal-time interventions that dancers can make to prevent and alleviate muscle cramping? In this blog post, we’ll explore the answers to this question, along with key considerations for dancers to manage muscle cramping effectively.

Sustaining Healthy Habits with The Healthy Dancer®

The Healthy Dancer® encompasses a 6-step approach that does exactly this: guides dancers in building the behavioral changes needed to support their relationships with food and maintain a healthy body image. But even for seasoned professionals, the challenge isn’t just to make behavioral changes, it’s to sustain them. Let’s uncover the most common reasons why dancers struggle to sustain behavioral change— especially concerning food and body image, and how to overcome them.

What does it mean to be a Healthy Dancer?

Dance is an art form that demands immense physicality, mental focus, and creative expression. Behind this lies a unique and demanding lifestyle that is essential for dancers to maintain and excel in their craft. In this blog post, we will explore what it truly means to be a healthy dancer and why I’ve devoted my […]

Ideal Weight Charts for Dancers

Using a charting system such as ideal weight charts to determine a dancer’s performance potential is extremely harmful. Dancers have a three times higher risk of suffering from an eating disorder when compared to the general population. This article discusses what an Ideal Weight Chart for Dancers is and whether they’re helpful or harmful.