When I struggled with disordered eating, I was convinced that dancers could not eat pizza; pizza was “bad” (unless it was a Saturday night!). <– HELLO FOOD RULE! I found myself overdoing it EVERY.DARN.TIME pizza was served. Once Monday hit, I was on a mission to “get back on track.” Fast forward to today and I’ve fully accepted my love for this cheesy meal any and ALL days of the week.
I was stuck sticking to “safe foods.” Sweet potatoes, avocadoes, almond butter, oatmeal, blueberries, dark chocolate, greens of all types, salmon, yogurt, apples, etc.
Most “Type A” dancers have something in common when it comes to our relationship with food. Especially for those with a sparked interest in nutrition: Type A dancers love sticking to safe foods. Oftentimes, these are highly nutritious, plant-based, and minimally processed (like the ones I mentioned above).
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with eating these foods. In fact, they’re chock full of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Also, they supply our body with fiber, which promotes a healthy gut, stabilizes our blood sugar, and even plays an indirect role in strengthening our immunity.
So, if they’re so good for our health, then what exactly is the issue with these foods?
When these are the only foods that you’re eating (without the guilt), problems arise. Indulgent options, whether that’s a side of fries, a slice of pizza, candy, or a decedent cupcake, become a battlefield of restrictions, guilt, fear, and anxiety.
Breaking food rules is the first step to combating diet restrictions and fundamental to the second core value of The Healthy Dancer®. To get started, check out this post.
