top of page
Search


Vitamin B6 and B12: Energy, Recovery, and High-Demand Training Periods
If you’re training consistently — whether that’s dance, lifting, running, or a mix — there are times when energy seems harder to access. You might notice: stamina dipping earlier than usual focus fading faster on long days soreness lingering longer recovery feeling “off,” even though your routine hasn’t changed Often, this leads people to assume they’re doing something wrong. But during high-demand periods, energy challenges aren’t always about effort or motivation. They’re o

Melissa
4 days ago4 min read
![Dancer with a [Vitamin] D: Bone Health, Immunity, and Winter Performance](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d0fd33_2cbffaaf2b4b40ef971e18ff29bf8664~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_333,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/d0fd33_2cbffaaf2b4b40ef971e18ff29bf8664~mv2.webp)
![Dancer with a [Vitamin] D: Bone Health, Immunity, and Winter Performance](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d0fd33_2cbffaaf2b4b40ef971e18ff29bf8664~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_300,h_225,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/d0fd33_2cbffaaf2b4b40ef971e18ff29bf8664~mv2.webp)
Dancer with a [Vitamin] D: Bone Health, Immunity, and Winter Performance
Why Vitamin D Matters in Dance Vitamin D plays an essential role in: bone health muscle function immune support For dancers, this matters not only for day-to-day performance — but for injury prevention and career longevity. Dance places repeated stress on the skeletal system through jumping, landing, and high training volume. Vitamin D helps support the systems that allow the body to adapt to this stress over time. Why Winter Is a Risk Window Vitamin D is synthesized in the

Melissa
Jan 253 min read


what if 'superfoods' were just... foods that work?
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.

Melissa
Jan 123 min read


what it takes to fuel the life of a traveling showgirl
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.

Lori (aka The Prima Valentina)
Jan 54 min read


Iron for Dancers: Energy, Endurance, and Audition Season Support
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

Melissa
Jan 53 min read


barriers to nutrition support in the dance community: a fall 2025 survey
This report presents the findings of an anonymous survey conducted in October 2025 among dancers, parents/caregivers, dance teachers/directors, and dance medicine professionals.

Melissa
Nov 12, 20258 min read


body checking for dancers: what it is and what to do instead
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.

Melissa
Sep 22, 20254 min read


the truth about 'what I eat in a day' videos for dancers
“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.

Melissa
Sep 4, 20253 min read


how to support your teen dancer’s food choices without creating tension
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?”

Melissa
Aug 20, 20254 min read


why a perfect meal plan doesn't exist (especially) for dancers
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?”

Melissa
Jul 16, 20252 min read


letting go of sugar guilt
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...

Melissa
Jul 1, 20253 min read


let's talk about sugar
What dancers need to know about sugar, energy, and fueling smartly—not fearfully.

Melissa
Jun 14, 20253 min read


protein: a dancer's reality check
Learn how much protein dancers actually need to support strength, recovery, and energy—without crowding out other nutrients essential for performance.

Melissa
Apr 15, 20253 min read


why I say 'balance' instead of 'moderation'
If you've followed my content for a while, you’ve probably noticed that I use the word balance when talking about dancer nutrition—but...

Melissa
Mar 7, 20254 min read


nutrition advice red flags 🚩
Not all nutrition advice is good advice. Learn how to spot red flags in nutrition advice so you can fuel smarter as a dancer—without the con

Melissa
Mar 4, 20253 min read


dancers, bloating is normal... but when should you worry?
Bloating is common in dancers, but when should you be concerned? Learn why it happens, when to investigate, and how to manage bloating witho

Melissa
Mar 4, 20253 min read


sleep, nutrition, performance
Dancers are constantly seeking ways to optimize their performance, improve recovery, and maintain long-term health. While training...

Melissa
Jan 31, 20254 min read


understanding low energy availability (LEA): a guide for dancers and athletes
Learn about Low Energy Availability (LEA) and how it impacts dancers and athletes. Discover actionable tips for energy balance, performance

Melissa
Jan 2, 20254 min read


magnesium - a key nutrient for dancer resiliency
As dancers, we push our bodies to the limit—especially during peak performance seasons like Nutcracker. While we often focus on fueling...

Melissa
Dec 18, 20243 min read


immune boosting foods for dancers
As dancers, the fall season can be a whirlwind of rehearsals, performances, and increased demands on your body. With so much going on, your

Melissa
Oct 22, 20244 min read
bottom of page
.png)