Dancing requires a good amount of energy along with an enduring use of muscles. It is important to make sure you are eating properly to prevent injury, better performance, and recover quickly. This will also be very beneficial to your body while doing so. The world of dancing involves many body types, so it is important to you and keep yourself healthy and fit so that you can be your absolute best. Try the six healthy diet tips below to obtain the dancer body you're looking for.
Load Up on Greens
If you want more nutrients in a concentrated form, then there is no better source than leafy greens. These types of vegetables, such as arugula, kale and spinach, are incredible resources that are also low in calories and can be added to a variety of different foods. You can arrange them raw to make a delicious salad, cook them into an omelet or any savory meal, or even blend them into a smoothie. They are an easy way to add a variety of nutrients to your regular diet.
Eat Less Lectins
Lectins are an ingredient found in many foods, and in large quantities, they can be potentially harmful. Too many lectins in your diet can result in less curbing of your appetite, which can eventually lead to overeating and weight gain. However, it is easy to find recipes without lectins that are still delicious, such as lectin free pasta. This way, you can get the nutrients you need, without the harmful ones.
Healthy Proteins
Protein is a great source of long term energy that is essential for muscle growth and strength. You should try to eat fatty fish, such as salmon, to benefit from the omega threes and sixes that they offer. If you are not a huge advocate of meat, there are many other sources of protein that you can utilize as substitutes. Getting enough protein in your diet is essential for your body to grow and work properly as a dancer.
Increase Antioxidants
Antioxidants are vital for enhancing the ability of the immune system to fight disease, as well as lowering inflammation in the joints and muscles. These traits are essential for dancers, who strain their muscles for hours every week. You can get more antioxidants in your diet through a supplement, such as a powder, or simply by incorporating antioxidant-rich foods, like many types of berries, into your daily meal plan. Many leafy greens are also high in antioxidants, making them nutritionally beneficial on many different levels.
Eat Regular Meals and Snacks
Having a perfect figure is unfortunately a huge pressure on dancers, and many feel compelled to take drastic measures in order to achieve this ideal. However, limiting food intake and extreme amounts of calories is not a good way to achieve the body that you wish. To keep your metabolism active and working at its best, you need to be eating regularly and often. Try to eat smaller meals throughout the day, and snacks in between, so that you do not overindulge or give in to cravings. Always have healthy options available on hand. This way, you will not buy vending machine junk food like chips or candy.
Take a Multivitamin Every Day
If you are unsure of what you are deficient in, or you just need an extra boost of nutrients, your best option may be to take a daily multivitamin. This provides a concentrated, dense amount of nutrients packed into a single tablet or capsule, and allows you to receive many nutrients without having to plan your meals and snacks around them. This may be beneficial for days when you are not eating your best or you are feeling under the weather.
When you are a dancer, you should not have to worry about how best to feed your body in order to perform at your top physical ability. With these tips, you can formulate a meal plan that works best for your needs, provides you with the right amount of calories, and helps keep you strong and healthy.