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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


does strength training make dancers bulky? (spoiler: no—but underfueling could be your downfall)
“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...

Melissa
Oct 21, 20253 min read


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

Melissa
Oct 15, 20252 min read


aesthetics vs. health: what matters more in dance?
Aesthetics are subjective. Health is essential. Here’s why fueling, recovery, and strength—not appearance—create the stamina, artistry, and consistency directors count on.

Melissa
Oct 2, 20254 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


hydration for performance: why dancers need salt
You’re drinking water—but still cramping, dragging mid-rehearsal, or feeling foggy?
Let’s fix that.

Melissa
Jun 16, 20252 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


beyond the headlines: why dancers deserve more than a 'plus size future'
Ballet’s future isn’t tied to one body type. Discover why true body diversity, fueling, and support—not size alone—are key to dancer longevity and artistry.

Melissa
Apr 29, 20254 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


an open letter to dance teachers: what will your students remember?
A letter to dance educators about the impact of their words on dancers’ body image, fueling habits, and long-term confidence—plus how to break the cycle.

Melissa
Apr 14, 20253 min read


3 signs you're not eating enough for your schedule
Constantly sore, tired, or distracted in class? These 3 signs may mean you're not eating enough to support your training—and here's how to f

Melissa
Mar 21, 20252 min read
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