Social media provides an open view into the lives of those willing to share. This is especially attractive to aspiring dancers who aspire to get into the daily lives of professionals – how they achieve and navigate their careers. But there’s more to a dancer’s newsfeed than just inspiring moves and twirling tricks. It can also include the performer talking about everything they do during the day, including their cross-training routine and the food that goes with it.
While the intentions behind “what do I eat in my day” posts are often harmless, the reality is that they can set the stage for dancers’ struggles with food. Dancers are already more susceptible to harmful food and body beliefs that lead to eating disorders – adding another source of comparison may leave dancers feeling doubtful; wondering if their choices are “good” or “bad” and if Guilt may arise if their meals and snacks are not in line with what is acceptable to a dancer. As a nutritionist for dancers, I encourage artists to think about the impact a “what do I eat in a day” post might have on them and consider scrolling right past it.
They do not reflect your personal needs
Comparing one dancer’s diet to another’s meal plan makes it difficult to identify and meet the body’s individual needs. The type and amount of food required to support a dancer’s body varies greatly and depends on many factors beyond what a single scroll can describe. Simply put, what works for one dancer may not work for another. Those who try to follow the eating habits of others may face behaviors that lead to energy deficiency and malnutrition in themselves—a cause of injury.
they are often inaccurate
Social media is a bright spot, but the element missing from most of these posts is the dancer’s relationship with food. A dancer’s “What do I eat in a day” is unlikely to show the full picture. Extra food, impromptu snack times, or experiences that dancers may feel do not meet the misleading expectations set forth by food culture are all examples of things that may be cancelled. The truth is, a day’s worth of meals and snacks doesn’t fully support a dancer’s performance potential. Eating patterns (including energy and hydration efforts, as well as sleep patterns and training habits) are important over time. A snapshot can never adequately reflect the conditions required to support a dancer’s abilities.
They can trigger and worsen eating disorders
Unfortunately, in today’s health-oriented culture, restrictive diets have become the norm, and “clean” eating is a common culprit. Since many dancers develop this eating habit unintentionally, any “what I eat in a day” video blog may represent a disordered eating pattern. Whether they’re not eating enough calories or trying to adhere to strict dietary rules, dancers—who have unique nutritional needs due to their physically demanding art form—can contribute to narratives that support eating disorders.
Are food posts completely out of the question?
They don’t have to be this way. There’s a difference between sharing inspiring food content (like recipes and snack ideas) and sharing the same content with nutritional advice. To help reduce the risk of eating disorders in dancers, it is recommended to seek dietary advice from a registered dietitian who is especially familiar with dancers’ unique needs.
