Social media presents an open lens into the lives of whoever is keen to share. That is particularly attractive for aspiring dancers who’re hungry to achieve entry into knowledgeable’s routine—how they’re each attaining and navigating a profession. However a dancer’s newsfeed isn’t simply residence to inspiring choreography and pirouette hacks. It might probably additionally embrace performers narrating all the pieces 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 commonly 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 threat disordered consuming—including one other supply for comparability can go away dancers feeling uncertain; questioning if their decisions are “good” or “unhealthy,” and, probably, 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 contemplate 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 kinds and quantities of meals which might be wanted to assist a dancer’s physique are extremely variable and dependent­ on many components 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 observe another person’s consuming routine would possibly threat behaviors that go away 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 entire image. Further helpings of meals, impromptu snack occasions, or experiences that dancers would possibly really feel don’t dwell as much as the misguided expectations set forth by weight loss plan tradition are all examples of what may be lower out. And there’s the truth that a single day’s price 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 as we speak’s wellness-driven tradition, with “clear” consuming being a typical perpetrator. Since many dancers unintentionally partake in such consuming habits, there’s the chance that any “What I Eat in a Day” vlog could characterize a disordered method 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—may 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 cut back the chance of disordered consuming amongst dancers, it’s really useful to supply meals recommendation from registered dietitian nutritionists who’re significantly conversant in the distinctive wants of dancers.