Not every dancer eats more when stressed. For some, stress and emotional distress actually shut down appetite—leading to skipped meals, under-fueling, and even heightened risk for injury or burnout. In this episode, Rachel Fine explains the concept of emotional restrictive eating and shares practical strategies for dancers who lose their appetite during stressful times.

You’ll learn:

✅ The difference between emotional eating vs. emotional restrictive eating

✅ Why appetite loss during stress can be risky for dancers

✅ How dieting and disordered patterns impact stress responses

✅ 5 practical strategies to fuel your body when you don’t feel hungry

✅ Ways to build a flexible meal plan and coping toolkit

✅ Why proactive support and nourishment matter most during distress

📅 Perfect for: dancers who struggle to eat when stressed, experience appetite loss during anxiety or high-pressure situations, or want supportive strategies to protect energy and performance.

📖 Read the full blog: https://dancenutrition.com/help-i-cannot-eat-when-im-stressed-emotional-restrictive-eating/

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Timestamps ⬇️ (Skip to the section you need!)

0:00 – Stress and Appetite Loss in Dancers
Introducing emotional restrictive eating and how it differs from emotional overeating.

0:48 – The Risks of Underfueling During Emotional Distress
Why appetite loss can be harmful for dancers.

1:28 – What Is Emotional Restrictive Eating?
Understanding how some dancers cope with distress through food restriction.

2:33 – Defining Emotional Distress
Nerves, anxiety, stress, and sadness as common triggers.

3:12 – Food as Comfort vs. Restriction
Why using food—or avoiding it—are both coping mechanisms.

4:00 – Reframing Emotional Eating
Harnessing emotional connections with food in a more supportive way.

5:01 – Why Restriction Needs Intervention
The dangers of underfueling and why judgment-free support matters.

6:02 – How Pre-Existing Disordered Eating Impacts Coping
When emotional distress collides with baseline undernourishment.

7:20 – Appetite Loss vs. Eating Disorders
Understanding the difference between temporary appetite loss and clinical concerns.

8:19 – Energy Deficits and Performance Risks
How restrictive eating harms performance and increases injury risk.

9:49 – Temporary vs. Chronic Appetite Loss
Distinguishing short-term appetite changes from deeper struggles.

11:11 – Appetite Loss as a Body Signal
Viewing reduced appetite as a communication of discomfort.

12:09 – More Productive Ways to Navigate Stress
Why restriction won’t help, and how to redirect coping strategies.

13:21 – Practical Fueling Strategies for Emotional Stress
Flexible meal planning, tolerable foods, and convenient options.

16:42 – Final Tools for Recovery and Support
Coping activities, skipping judgment, and seeking professional help.

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.