Being a dancer requires a significant amount of energy and strength. While dedicated and consistent training is essential for advancing in this field, you must also eat a diet that's balanced and provides the appropriate nutrition for the demands you're placing on your body. This will ensure you are in peek physical condition and can assist in injury avoidance.
Water
Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a dancer's nutrition. If you're dehydrated, you could get dizzy or light-headed, suffer from fatigue or muscle cramps, all of which could cause you to perform a move incorrectly and potentially injure yourself. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stave off dehydration-related problems.
Protein
Dancers should also get a considerable amount of protein each day. In fact, it should make up between 12 and 15 percent of your daily calories because it is required for proper repair of muscle fibers that are damaged from using them over and over through practice and shows. To get enough protein, ensure a serving is included with every meal. Foods to consider include poultry, fish, tofu, beans, legumes and quinoa.
Carbohydrates
As a dancer, you should also eat plenty of carbohydrates. They are a go-to energy source for people who burn a lot of calories and need a lot of food fuel to stay active. According to the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, you should consume 50 to 60 percent of your daily calories in the form of carbohydrates. Good food examples include whole grain bread, vegetables, fruits, beans and legumes.
Significance
Proper nutrition is an essential part of being a dancer. While you might think that exercising so often will automatically keep you healthy and fit, eating right and well plays an important role in proper muscle development, strength training and conditioning. Eating right will ensure your muscles and joints can hold up against the repetition and strain of dance training and will shorten your recovery time from muscle strains and sprains.
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