For dancers, diet culture can strip the joy out of eating—turning every meal into a math equation full of guilt. But food can be fun AND functional. In this episode, Rachel Fine explains how dancers can incorporate “fun foods” like sweets, fast food, or treats without guilt or restriction.

You’ll learn:

✅ What “fun foods” really are—and why they’re not “bad” or “junk”

✅ How to use intuitive eating tools to build trust with all foods

✅ Why unconditional permission and food neutrality are game-changers

✅ How “fun foods” can fuel your body for rehearsals and performances

✅ How to normalize foods and reduce scarcity mindsets around eating

📅 Perfect for dancers healing from restrictive eating, diet culture pressures, or disordered eating patterns.

📖 Read the full blog: https://dancenutrition.com/what-are-fun-foods/

📲 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 section you need!)

0:00 – Introduction: Restrictive Eating & Fun Foods
How restrictive eating creates stress and anxiety around food.

0:30 – A Dietitian Nutritionist for Dancers
Rachel Fine introduces herself and her work with dancers to rebuild their relationship with food.

1:02 – Defining Fun Foods
Fun foods as less nutrient-dense items like sweets, desserts, or greasy foods, and how it varies by dancer.

1:51 – Fun Foods vs. Nutrient-Dense Foods
Fun foods are not inherently bad; nutrient-dense foods can also be fun.

2:27 – Fun Foods ≠ Unhealthy Foods
The term is a temporary tool to reduce guilt and food shame.

3:29 – Food Neutrality & Relabeling
Using “fun foods” as a step to foster a positive relationship with all foods.

4:20 – Integrating Fun Foods Proactively
Proactive and intuitive fueling ensures baseline nourishment before adding fun foods.

5:21 – Tools to Support Fun Foods
Unconditional permission, food neutrality, food flexibility, and focusing on patterns over time.

6:32 – Mindful Eating & Hunger-Fullness Cues
Incorporating fun foods daily, not as cheat days, to prevent cycles of control and restriction.

7:36 – Accessibility & Scarcity Mindset
How holidays or rare foods can create scarcity mindset and affect eating behaviors.

8:30 – Removing the Glorification
Making fun foods accessible throughout the year to normalize eating to comfortable fullness.

8:54 – No Upper Limits or Moderation Rules
Avoiding arbitrary limits and moderation terms that reinforce scarcity thinking.

9:03 – Fast Foods & Travel
Using energy-dense, accessible foods while touring or traveling.

10:23 – No Right or Wrong Choice
Choosing foods based on accessibility and context rather than rigid external rules.

10:49 – Recap & Tools to Reintroduce Fun Foods
Fun foods as a temporary tool, with mindful eating, food flexibility, and gentle nutrition.

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.