💬 For dancers, calorie questions come up constantly—“Am I eating too much? Too little? What’s the right number?” With conflicting advice from apps, Google, and diet culture, it’s easy to feel lost. But here’s the truth: most dancers severely underestimate their energy needs, and calorie counting often does more harm than good.

In this episode, Registered Dietitian Rachel Fine breaks down what calories really mean for dancers, why under-fueling is so common, and how to recognize if you’re not eating enough. You’ll also learn why counting calories isn’t the solution—and what to do instead.

You’ll learn how to:
✅ Understand calories as energy (not morality)
✅ Spot 10+ warning signs of under-fueling
✅ Recognize the health risks of eating too little (like RED-S and missed periods)
✅ Explore intuitive eating while respecting your body’s needs
✅ Build confidence in fueling without obsessing over numbers

📅 Perfect for: dancers who worry about calories, wonder if they’re eating “too much” or “too little,” and want a clear, supportive approach to fueling.

👉🏼 Read the full blog: https://dancenutrition.com/calories-for-a-dancer/

📲 Follow on Instagram: @ToThePointeNutrition
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube: Nutrition for Dancers
🎙️ Listen on Apple + Spotify: Nutrition for Dancers with The Dance Nutritionist® Podcast

Timestamps ⬇️ (skip to the part you need most!)

0:00 – Introduction: Am I Eating Enough or Too Much?
The two most common questions dancers ask about fueling.

0:27 – Meet Rachel Fine, RDN
Registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of To the Point Nutrition.

1:04 – Why These Questions Are So Tricky
Dancers often see food intake as “too much” or “too little.”

1:46 – How Overeating and Undereating Interconnect
Why feeling overly full can often stem from underfueling.

2:28 – Sign #1: Constant Thoughts About Food
When cravings and food preoccupation signal unmet needs.

4:43 – Sign #2: Missing or Irregular Periods
How low energy availability impacts menstruation and hormones.

5:39 – Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
Recurring injuries and stress fractures as signs of underfueling.

6:23 – Sign #3: Unexplained Digestive Discomfort
Links between disordered eating and bloating, constipation, or IBS.

8:14 – Sign #4: Emotional Eating Patterns
How low baseline intake drives eating past physical comfort.

9:06 – Sign #5: Low Energy in Class
Struggling with fatigue, especially in technique and jumps.

9:26 – Clean Eating and Intuitive Eating Pitfalls
When rigid food rules or unreliable hunger cues mask underfueling.

10:47 – Sign #6: Always Feeling Cold
The role of body fat in thermal regulation.

11:09 – Sign #7: Obsession with Calorie Tracking
Why external targets can encourage undereating.

12:36 – Shifting the Question to “Too Much”
Rethinking fullness and reflecting on patterns instead of restriction.

13:54 – Building a Supportive Meal Plan
Consistent meals, snacks, and macronutrient balance to fuel dancing.

15:05 – Closing Takeaways
Avoiding food rules, seeking support, and accessing dancer resources.

Rachel Fine, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and Certified Counselor of Intuitive Eating works with dancers to help them build supportive relationships with both food and body. 

Disclaimer: This is produced for informational purposes only. This information is general, not specific to you. The information in this podcast does not substitute for medical advice. The viewer assumes full responsibility for consulting a qualified health professional regarding health conditions or concerns, and before starting a new diet or health program.