Social media gives an open lens into the lives of whoever is keen to share. That is particularly attractive for aspiring dancers who’re hungry to realize entry into an expert’s routine—how they’re each attaining and navigating a profession. However a dancer’s newsfeed isn’t simply dwelling to inspiring choreography and pirouette hacks. It may possibly additionally embody performers narrating the whole lot they do in a day, together with their cross-training routine and the meals that go together with it.
Whereas the intent behind “What I Eat in a Day” posts is usually innocent, the truth is that they will lay the groundwork for a dancer’s wrestle with meals. Dancers are already extra susceptible to dangerous meals and physique beliefs that danger disordered consuming—including one other supply for comparability can depart dancers feeling uncertain; questioning if their selections are “good” or “dangerous,” and, doubtlessly, 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 think about 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 categories and quantities of meals which can be wanted to assist a dancer’s physique are extremely variable and dependent on many elements that transcend what a single reel can depict. Merely put, what works for one dancer won’t work for one more. These making an attempt to comply with another person’s consuming routine may danger behaviors that depart them underfueled and undernourished—a recipe for harm.
They’re Usually Inaccurate
Social media is a spotlight reel and the lacking think about 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 whole image. Extra helpings of meals, impromptu snack instances, or experiences that dancers may really feel don’t dwell as much as the misguided expectations set forth by food plan tradition are all examples of what is likely to be minimize 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 consists of fueling and hydration efforts, together with sleep patterns and coaching routines—matter. One snapshot won’t ever mirror 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 at present’s wellness-driven tradition, with “clear” consuming being a typical wrongdoer. Since many dancers unintentionally partake in such consuming habits, there’s the probability that any “What I Eat in a Day” vlog might symbolize 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—is likely to be contributing to a story that helps disordered consuming.
Are Meals Posts Completely Off the Desk?
They don’t must 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 chance of disordered consuming amongst dancers, it’s really useful to supply meals recommendation from registered dietitian nutritionists who’re notably conversant in the distinctive wants of dancers.
