Thank goodness, there is no ideal way to eat. You will have a completely different eating strategy from the dancer next to you. But if you’re looking for recommendations, stop right there. To assist you to gain confidence in your dietary and eating decisions, I’ve developed a framework.
Starchy carbs
These carbohydrates should be a part of every meal because they give you energy. Because they raise serotonin levels, our body’s feel-good hormone, starchy carbohydrates also have a tendency to be the more calming ones.
Complex carbohydrates are those derived from starchy meals, which can encompass a wide variety of foods. Your first thought when thinking of starchy carbohydrates may be potatoes and potato products. But there are other underground vegetables known as “root vegetables” that can be included in this group, such as sweet potatoes, yams, parsnips, jicama, taro root, water chestnuts, Jerusalem artichokes, and rutabaga. However, compared to other root vegetables, carrots, beets, turnips, and daikon radishes have fewer carbohydrates.
Protein
Protein is included in many foods, and lean protein can be found in beef, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, dairy products, soy, and soy products. Protein needs can also be met by consuming a variety of plant-based sources of protein throughout the day, such as beans, nuts, and seeds.
Dancers must remember that because protein might make you feel full, eating it needs to be done carefully. If you want to have enough energy to dance all day, you might need to prioritize more carbohydrates.
Fat
Dietary fat is essential for supporting appropriate hormone levels as well as helping people satisfy their energy demands. Nuts, nut butters, avocados, olive and coconut oils, and nuts are all good sources of fat.
Fat is a terrific alternative for a topping or sauce, so you could want to include it in your “joyful tastes.” Tahini, avocado, cashew, or oil-based sauces are simple to make. Fat is a part of a balanced dancer’s diet.
Non-starchy carbs
Do you ever feel as though you’re munching excessively? Actually, dancers have this feeling pretty frequently. Many of my clients end up snacking to make up for the fact that they didn’t get enough fat, protein, or volume at their meal (or occasionally all three).
There is no guarantee that non-starchy carbs will provide you with a lot of energy. Because of their fiber, prebiotics, vitamins, and minerals, these carbs are better known.
Think of greens, vegetables, fruits, and berries when you hear the phrase “non-starchy carbs”! These include your vegetables, such as brussels sprouts, bok choy, tomatoes, cucumbers, and many more, as well as your leafy greens, such as arugula, kale, and romaine.
Joyful flavors
It’s highly likely that you’re lacking the flavor component if you find it difficult to consume complete, healthful foods. Never should you have to force yourself to eat something. By using different cooking techniques, seasonings, and sauces, you can improve the flavor of your food.
Although herbs and spices are wonderful, they are also a great source of antioxidants, which guard your cells against free radical damage. There is a substantial amount of research showing that consuming spices can lessen or even completely remove the negative impact that pollutants in food and the environment have on people.
Include spices like cloves, oregano, rosemary, cinnamon, thyme, turmeric, sage, and more when cooking to make your nutritious dishes more appealing.