Hydration is important, so let’s break down the most common challenges and find solutions. According to Dietitians Australia, dehydration can affect “heart rate, body temperature, dizziness, fatigue, constipation, poor skin and muscle cramping” (1). According to leading American sports dietitian Dan Benardot PhD, RD, “As little as a two percent drop in body water results […]

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Hydration, blood volume, and muscle cramping are a beautifully balanced dance between electrolytes, hormones, enzymes, and the amount of fluid dancers ingest. Staying hydrated is one of the most influential action steps a dancer can take to improve performance and reduce muscle cramping.   Why does hydration matter to your muscles?    Well-trained muscles can […]

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As a dietitian for dancers and a former professional dancer myself, I get lots of e-mails. Many of these questions are about some common dancer myths that I remember from when I was in the school and the company. Here we take a deeper look at some of these and try to separate fact from […]

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By Emily C. Harrison MS, RD, LD. www.dancernutrition.com. It is undeniable that dancers are athletes at the highest level. They have to maintain maximum performance, strength and endurance all while looking great in tights. The aesthetic athlete has to pay close attention to what they eat and drink. Sports nutrition for male dancers is an […]

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By Emily C. Harrison MS, RD, LD. The Centre for Dance Nutrition. www.dancernutrition.com. Being nervous is a natural part of day-to-day life for a dancer. Maybe there is a big audition, a run of shows or even a new choreographer in the studio. There are healthy ways to deal with nerves and food choices can […]

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By Emily C. Harrison MS, RD, LD. Even mild dehydration can affect performance.  Staying hydrated is extremely important to a dancer’s performance because the first signs of dehydration are fatigue and poor balance.  Thirst actually only kicks in after the body has lost 1-2 litres of water. If you are thirsty then you are already […]

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