It is important for dancers to nourish their bodies, as the body is the dancer's tool and it must be cared for accordingly. Like athletes, dancers can increase this by supporting the body's optimal composition, energy needs and above all, health. The body needs nourishing in order to produce the best performance for itself, whilst looking after the muscles, bones and the body's overall energy and health.
Sometimes dancers may restrict their diets; the body then cannot produce what is required and it turns to other sources in the body to maintain itself. Due to the nature of dance it is sometimes the case that dancers must eat little and often, all the time burning energy as they dance and push their bodies. It is therefore important to retain the body's muscle, strength, performance and appearance. The body therefore needs adequate protein in order to repair itself effectively and prepare for the next day of class, rehearsals or performance. The protein requirement for dancers is slightly more than a non-dancing individual, but it is not excessive.
Ultimately, a dancer's diet is the fuel they invest in the body for the greatest performance output, so it is vital the diet has the dancer's health at its core. Food should provide balanced support for the body, providing energy and health needs, as well as enjoyment. For intense dance training, protein should be paired with carbohydrate for energy that supports the dancer throughout the requirements on the body. Usually performance improves with added carbohydrates, but balance is key for the specific goal in mind.
Decisions about diet must be made according to what the body's performance or health requires, emphasising any deficiency and working to combat it. In working out what the body requires, it becomes easier to eat for the body's health in providing it with what it needs effectively: the changes made must be practical and realistic for them to take place.
Like dancer, like athlete
It is important for dancers to nourish their bodies, as the body is the dancer's tool and it must be cared for accordingly. Like athletes, dancers can increase this by supporting the body's optimal composition, energy needs and above all, health. The body needs nourishing in order to produce the best performance for itself, whilst looking after the muscles, bones and the body's overall energy and health.
Sometimes dancers may restrict their diets; the body then cannot produce what is required and it turns to other sources in the body to maintain itself. Due to the nature of dance it is sometimes the case that dancers must eat little and often, all the time burning energy as they dance and push their bodies. It is therefore important to retain the body's muscle, strength, performance and appearance. The body therefore needs adequate protein in order to repair itself effectively and prepare for the next day of class, rehearsals or performance. The protein requirement for dancers is slightly more than a non-dancing individual, but it is not excessive.
Ultimately, a dancer's diet is the fuel they invest in the body for the greatest performance output, so it is vital the diet has the dancer's health at its core. Food should provide balanced support for the body, providing energy and health needs, as well as enjoyment. For intense dance training, protein should be paired with carbohydrate for energy that supports the dancer throughout the requirements on the body. Usually performance improves with added carbohydrates, but balance is key for the specific goal in mind.
Decisions about diet must be made according to what the body's performance or health requires, emphasising any deficiency and working to combat it. In working out what the body requires, it becomes easier to eat for the body's health in providing it with what it needs effectively: the changes made must be practical and realistic for them to take place.