We’ve all heard the term “superfood.” It’s a shiny label slapped on açaí bowls, goji berries, turmeric lattes, kale, and avocado toast — usually with the implication that these foods are somehow magically better than others.

In this guest post, Lori offers a behind-the-scenes look at life as a traveling showgirl and continually training ballerina. This isn’t a highlight reel or a “perfect routine.” It’s an honest reflection on what it actually takes to fuel, move, rest, and adapt when your schedule changes week to week and your body is your livelihood.

This year I'll be digging deeper into some micronutrients and other aspects of performance nutrition that are vital for dancers to know and understand. As I share with all dancers I interact with, we have an innate need to understand the WHY for nutrition before we'll even attempt the WHAT and the HOW. Let's get started! why iron matters for dancers Iron plays a key role in transporting oxygen throughout the body. For dancers, this directly affects: stamina across long rehear

This report presents the findings of an anonymous survey conducted in October 2025 among dancers, parents/caregivers, dance teachers/directors, and dance medicine professionals.

“Bulky” is the word many dancers use when they worry their lines will change—or that muscle gain will outpace what reads well onstage. I...

Performance recovery for dancers starts before the curtain falls. Learn simple nutrition, hydration, and rest habits to keep you strong all weekend.

Aesthetics are subjective. Health is essential. Here’s why fueling, recovery, and strength—not appearance—create the stamina, artistry, and consistency directors count on.

You catch your reflection between combinations and do a quick scan: lines, waist, quads. Later, you zoom in on a rehearsal photo to check your arm shape. Maybe you pinch, adjust, or try on an old costume “just to see.” If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything “wrong.” You’re likely body checking.

“What I Eat in a Day” videos are everywhere right now — from influencers to professional ballet dancers. They’re easy to click on, and I’ll admit, I’ve watched my share, too.

Imagine this: your teen dancer comes home after a long day of school and rehearsal, grabs a slice of cake, and sits down at the table. Before you can stop yourself, you say—“Shouldn’t you have something healthier?”

The power of flexibility, sustainability, and realistic fueling. When dancers come to me for nutrition support, one of the first things they ask is: “Can you just tell me exactly what to eat?”

If there’s one nutrient that gets dancers spinning in circles (and not the good kind), it’s sugar. Somewhere along the way, sugar got...