An Improved Diet for Ballet Dancers in a Nutshell

There is so much pressure to be thin in the world of ballet. I am no stranger to these pressures. I also understand why.  I do not think that bags of bones are needed to make a beautiful line. Flab is not the answer either. Beautiful lines are hidden with pudge if you're not careful, but it's important to do it in the healthiest way. Before I knew about the best diet for a ballet dancer, I was very frustrated. I tried being anorexic and bulimia for two weeks at a time and decided that was not the answer either. I weigh much less than I did a few years ago. I did this by discovering the garbage in even what advertisers claim to be “healthy.” It all started when I had some serious medical problems that affected my immune system and changed my life in some ways for the better.

Keep your hands out of the cookie jar..at least on a regular basis (Photo by Me)

More cookie jar temptations (Photo by Me)

Whatever you do, dancer or non-dancer, don't be a beer-drinking couch potato (Photo by Me)

An occasional treat...courtesy of Chado Tea Room in LA's Little Tokyo (Photo by Me)

Tea is great for dancers...as long as it's organic in a porcelain, glass, or stainless steel container...and yes you can bring your monkey too... (Photo by Me)

Strawberries are good...as long as they're organic...otherwise they have a lot of pesticides...forget the croissant and jam though... (Photo by Me, courtesy Chado Tea)

Bird's Nest made out of noodles with seafood and veggies...yummy...an occasional treat, but make sure it's organic and the seafood is preferably Alaskan wild rather than farmed (Photo by Me, courtesy Hop Li, a restaurant in West Los Angeles)

I have heard the idea that we should accept each other as we are. However, a 2009 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index shows that 63.1% of Americans were overweight. We need be more educated about making better choices. Not to the point where we can’t treat ourselves now and then, but to the point where we really know what’s healthy and not what is healthy according to what greedy advertisers tell us. As a result, we can be more empowered and make choices we know will work rather than feeling hopeless and trying to be anorexic or bulimic. I’m not saying that eating disorders will disappear completely, but not being brainwashed into thinking something is healthy when it’s not will certainly help.
Dr. Robin Bernhoft of the Bernhoft Center for Advanced Medicine in Ojai, California, cannot say enough about the importance of organic foods. Bernhoft, who is board certified in environmental medicine and surgery, has been a medical doctor for over 35 years. According to Bernhoft, the Centers for Disease Control said in 2000 that "Virtually all human diseases result from the interaction of genetic susceptibility and modifiable environmental factors." Toxic chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, cadmium, lead, and mercury build up in the body and cause pretty much all chronic illness,” says Bernhoft. According to a study done at the University of North Texas approximately 15 years ago, “it is estimated that about 80% of the toxins that cause disease come from food and water,” says Bernhoft.
Bernhoft recommends organic food for two reasons. “Number one it’s a lot cleaner,” says Bernhoft, noting that organic foods do not have things such as pesticides or are genetically modified. “Across the board it has about twice as many vitamins and minerals according to the department of agriculture,” says Bernhoft of his second reason to choose organic food. In addition, Bernhoft recommends the Mediterranean diet, which features some protein, fruits, fruits, vegetables. The diet also features a small amount of carbohydrates and very little flours or sugars. Bernhoft also recommends avoiding soy and processed foods, with the exception of organic soy sauce. Fat satisfies the stomach so you don’t eat too many carbohydrates,” says Bernhoft.
I hope that this information in a nutshell helps to empower dancers as well non-dancers to have a better diet. When I’m dancing, I have less of an appetite than if I am studying all day, which helps. In addition, if you watch the documentaries “Food Inc.,” “Foodmatters,” and “Hungry for Change,” you can start to further unravel what is wrong with the American diet. I Have also heard that "Forks Over Knives" is good. Here are trailers for the films:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4DOQ6Xhqss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MvAM97VDE8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7ijukNzlUg
You can also check out the following links:
www.drbernhoft.com
www.mercola.com (he tries to sell his product but it's good information)
 In addition, check out the environmental working group’s website at www.ewg.org. They have guidelines for a less toxic lifestyle, down to cleaning products as well as personal care products. When there are less toxins in the body, it is easier to lose weight and be the dancer you’ve always wanted to be without starving yourself.