The question of proper diet for dancers comes up quite often. What exactly should you be eating? The answer is unfortunately quite complex as the same foods do not work for all dancers.

One way to learn from other dancers is to hear how they’ve discovered their own best eating plans. Don’t copy what they’re doing but find out how they got there. Natasha Sheehan is a great example of a dancer who got here in a healthful and smart way. She has some smart food tips that can help you start on a path towards healthier eating.

She didn’t simply start eating how she thought she should eat. She read books and researched healthy eating for athletes. She also consulted with her doctors and took their advice into account.

In addition to the external research and gathering of advice, it’s important to listen to your body and follow its cues. Make it a goal to become an expert on your body.

Don’t ignore digestive disturbances or discomfort. If you’re constipated or experiencing painful cramping or diarrhea, these signs are likely connected to what you’re eating. If you’re feeling sluggish or tired, this could have to do with your food or beverage choices – caffeinated or sugary beverages will lead to spikes and crashes in energy.

During my interview with Natasha Sheehan she shares the process she went through to find the best eating plan for her needs. At The Whole Dancer, it’s one of my goals to support you in finding the eating plan and balanced mindset around food that will get you to your personal best body.

That’s where The Dancer’s Best Body Program comes in – it’s enrolling this month for a limited time! To get the details and to join the wait list (as limited spaces are available) click here.

Have thoughts on Natasha’s approach to healthy eating or how you can get there yourself? Comment below or reach out by email : jess@thewholedancer.com

Photo of Natasha by Erik Tomasson

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I am a very strong, positive person which is the only way I have gotten to where I am now. I have never been one of those dancers who gets things easily, and have fought HARD to finally land my first contract after 4 years of apprenticing.

That being said, hours and hours at the gym, arriving to the studio 1-2 hours before class to work out, and strict eating have not gotten me to where I want to be, at least not for long periods.”

Maybe you can relate to some of those struggles? This is what Margot shared before starting The Dancer’s Best Body Program.

“Before the program I felt stressed about making choices with food, especially getting back in shape after an injury. Every meal meant getting closer to or further from my goals. But it’s really not that simple!

Thinking that way caused a lot of stress over things that others wouldn’t put a second thought into. I felt like if I ever indulged or anything like “everyone else”, I wasn’t working hard or something.

Since participating in The Dancer’s Best Body Program, I feel  free to (and the desire to) make good choices that are going to positively affect my body and career, without the stress attached. That it’s okay to “get there” slowly (and trying to quick-fix things doesn’t last), and it’s okay (if not healthy!) to have a cocktail on the weekend or dessert on my birthday

I have also noticed significant positive changes in my mindset. I have become much more aware of my thoughts, and stresses of every day, whether positive or negative, and learned how to direct them towards a positive outcome.

This has affected my dancing greatly already, and my ability to get through class and rehearsal without feeling down on myself or with any disappointment in the day.

I’ve started to view each day as a step forward, no matter what the day holds. For this I have to completely credit Jess and The Dancer’s Best Body Program!”

Photos of Margot by Rachel Neville Photography

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