With summer intensive auditions just around the corner, your training schedule may be picking up pace. To secure a spot in a summer program, it’s crucial to prioritize your dance. But the success of your audition depends on more than just your work in the studio. With just a few adjustments to what you do, you can develop a supportive supplement plan to enhance your daily routine and relieve any unnecessary stress that comes with audition season.
be prepared
Due to limited studio space and teacher schedules, audition times often differ from when dancers are taking classes. If your auditions take place primarily during lunchtimes and on weekends, you’ll need to plan accordingly. Boxed meals and snacks are key, prioritizing carb-rich ingredients. Carbohydrates are a dancer’s body’s preferred fuel source, especially when energy needs surge. Add high-fiber whole grains to your breakfast to help maintain energy in the morning.
If you’re traveling between studios, prioritize convenience. Sandwiches and wraps are easy to prepare ahead of time and can be eaten on the go. Include protein sources, such as turkey or tofu, and fat sources, such as cheese or hummus. A balance of macronutrients will keep your energy going for longer. Low-fiber snacks like pretzels and cookies are a must-have during and after auditions to replenish the glycogen depleted during strenuous exercise. To add extra nutrition, pack fruit. You’ll get a dose of vitamin C and a range of antioxidants to help boost your immune system during the winter months.
Proactive
If you’re struggling with pre-audition jitters, there’s a good chance you’ll also experience a decrease in hunger cues. Although it can be challenging, eating even in the absence of physical hunger can help prevent depletion of glycogen stores, which can lead to early-onset fatigue. While every dancer’s individual needs are different, it’s beneficial to eat a balanced meal or snack every few hours throughout the dance day. If you have a hard time remembering, add some alarm clocks to your phone. This isn’t meant to be a strict rule about when or what you should eat, but rather a helpful tip for when you’re most likely to inadvertently not get enough. To ease an upset stomach, stick to foods that are easy to digest and familiar. Low-fiber snacks such as pretzels, goldfish, crackers, or packable smoothies can help.
Practice food flexibility
Audition season can be stressful, especially when summer study has the potential to turn into a full-year school placement. Adding any level of meal stress will limit your performance potential. Trying a diet or trying to restrict your diet can also make it harder to adjust to the inevitable: a change in your schedule and limited access to familiar foods. Flexibility in food choices can alleviate unnecessary stress caused by food rules. Remember: Calories are your energy currency, and they should precede a food plan that is not only expensive but also impractical and unachievable.
seek support
If you’re still feeling frazzled or struggling to fit added snacks into your already packed schedule, it’s time to talk to an expert. But where you get your nutritional advice matters. A registered dietitian can help dancers refuel during times when their schedules are challenging and stressful.
