In this episode, I'm excited to talk about dancers and how dancers, specifically, are athletes. Dancers, specifically, can work towards a healthy relationship with food. Even in a world that might be, you know, thin-obsessed. Or, obsessed with what kind of foods to eat. Or, making sure that you eat specific types of food in order to fill your body. But, that is not an oxymoron for developing a healthy relationship with food.

This episode provides so much information on how you can build a healthy relationship with food, even if there are messages telling you otherwise. Even if your schedule is really busy. Even if you're on the go all the time.

Jump right in!

[00:01- 03:52] Introductions

[03:53-07:44] A Walkthrough of a Day in a Life of a Dancer

• Different types of dancers
• The mental and the physical toll of conquering a day in their lives
• Achieving sustainable habits through a balanced life

[07:45 - 13:21] Breaking Down Why Food Can Be a Tricky Aspect to Dancers

• Prevalence of privileged ideals and the exacerbation of toxic messaging and culture
• The requirement of performance nutrition - meal plans and other food items

[13:22 - 18:15] Dancers and The Demanding Nature of Dancing

• The intervention of cross-training - what for?
• How does nutrition help injury prevention for dancers?

[18:16 - 22:21] Nutrition and Health - Going Beyond Diets for Dancers

• The commonality of misinformation about nutrition, restrictive dieting, and physical movement, in general, affects a dancer's relationship with food.
• Eliminating the impact of restrictive eating that affects other aspects of their lives
• The importance of establishing sustainable eating habits and making sure they're eating enough

[22:22 - 25:25] How Can a Dietitian Help a Dancer Establish a Sustainable and Healthy Relationship with Food?

• The two-fold rule on determining whether you need a dietitian and when's the right time to reach out.

[25:26 - 30:15] Rachel's Message to Dancers who may be Struggling with Body Image Issues

• The importance of a supportive environment.
• Dance isn't all aesthetic, it's also physical.

[30:16 - 32:14] Outro

• Where can you find Rachel?

Tweetable Quotes:

"It's 2022, there are plenty of environments out there that are now, thankfully, opening their arms to diversity." - Rachel Fine, RD

"Remember the science that, at the end of the day, even though dancing, as we think of it as aesthetic or a visual art, that should have no reflection on body weight." - Rachel Fine, RD

"Dancing techniques are not a product of body weight. It is a product of hard work and how your body moves. - Rachel Fine, RD

Resources:

• Rachel's Website
• Rachel's Course

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You can connect with me, Rachelle Heinemann on Instagram, through my website www.rachelleheinemann.com, or email me directly at [email protected]