Social media provides an open lens into the lives of whoever is keen to share. That is particularly attractive for aspiring dancers who’re hungry to achieve entry into an expert’s routine—how they’re each reaching and navigating a profession. However a dancer’s newsfeed isn’t simply residence to inspiring choreography and pirouette hacks. It could actually additionally embrace performers narrating all the things they do in a day, together with their cross-training routine and the meals that associate with it.
Whereas the intent behind “What I Eat in a Day” posts is commonly innocent, the fact is that they’ll lay the groundwork for a dancer’s battle with meals. Dancers are already extra weak to dangerous meals and physique beliefs that danger disordered consuming—including one other supply for comparability can depart dancers feeling uncertain; questioning if their decisions are “good” or “unhealthy,” and, probably, inducing guilt if their meals and snacks don’t align with what’s deemed acceptable for a dancer. As a dietitian for dancers, I encourage artists to consider the affect that “What I Eat in a Day” posts might need on them—and to contemplate scrolling proper previous them.
They’re Not a Reflection of Your Particular person Wants
Evaluating what one dancer eats to a different dancer’s meal plan makes it troublesome to each determine and honor the physique’s particular person wants. The kinds and quantities of meals which can be wanted to assist a dancer’s physique are extremely variable and dependent on many components that transcend what a single reel can depict. Merely put, what works for one dancer may not work for an additional. These making an attempt to comply with another person’s consuming routine would possibly danger behaviors that depart them underfueled and undernourished—a recipe for damage.
They’re Typically Inaccurate
Social media is a spotlight reel and the lacking consider most of those posts is a dancer’s relationship with meals. It’s unlikely {that a} dancer’s “What I Eat in a Day” is displaying the entire image. Further helpings of meals, impromptu snack instances, or experiences that dancers would possibly really feel don’t dwell as much as the misguided expectations set forth by weight loss program tradition are all examples of what may be lower out. And there’s the truth that a single day’s value of meals and snacks isn’t all that’s supporting a dancer’s efficiency potential. Consuming patterns over time—this contains fueling and hydration efforts, together with sleep patterns and coaching routines—matter. One snapshot won’t ever replicate sufficient of what’s wanted to assist a dancer’s capabilities.
They Can Set off and Worsen Disordered Consuming
Restrictive consuming is sadly normalized in right this moment’s wellness-driven tradition, with “clear” consuming being a standard wrongdoer. Since many dancers unintentionally partake in such consuming habits, there’s the probability that any “What I Eat in a Day” vlog could characterize a disordered means of consuming. Whether or not it’s not consuming sufficient energy or making an attempt to abide by strict meals guidelines, dancers—who’ve distinctive dietary wants due to their bodily demanding artwork kind—may be contributing to a story that helps disordered consuming.
Are Meals Posts Completely Off the Desk?
They don’t should be. There’s a distinction between sharing inspirational meals content material (like recipes and snack concepts) after which sharing that very same content material with dietary recommendation alongside it. To assist scale back the danger of disordered consuming amongst dancers, it’s beneficial to supply meals recommendation from registered dietitian nutritionists who’re significantly conversant in the distinctive wants of dancers.
