Podcast Episode 192: Nutrition for Ballet Dancers: Challenges & Opportunities – Dr. Nasira Burkholder-Cooley

Nutritional Considerations for Dancers & Other Performance Athletes

Good nutrition is essential for dancers to achieve desired body composition, ensure adequate energy to support growth, and optimize training. Successful dancers learn to view food as fuel, avoid dieting, and have sustained energy to power through class and performance. Dancers tend to under-eat and neglect long-term health, which compromises performance and contributes to injury. Pursuing a successful dance profession should not inflict chronic pain, perpetual stress, or diet confusion. Quality nutrition improves every aspect of dance training and performance, including physical strength and endurance, balance, flexibility, mental clarity and memory, emotional stability, and self-confidence. Nutrition needs are very individualized, so it is important that dancers seek specific dietary advice from a Registered Dietitian for dancers regarding calorie and protein needs.

Tune in to this episode to learn about:

• the unique nutritional needs of dancers and other performance athletes
• guidelines on macronutrients, micronutrients, hydration and snacks
• the realities of restricting intake during growth and puberty
• tips for fueling for performance as well as nutrition needs during injury recovery
• the importance of focusing on gaining strength and skill rather than focusing on body composition or ideal body weight
• insight into mental health, emotional eating, disordered eating and eating disorders
• how parents and teachers can be more involved and aware of red flags for disordered eating and body image issues
• Nasira’s story from ballerina to dietitian
• Melissa’s story attending a performing arts high school

Dr. Nasira Burkholder-Cooley, DrPH, RDN, BFA

Dr. Nasira Burkholder-Cooley is a registered dietitian, fitness expert, and nutrition educator. She was drawn to public health and nutrition as a result of her diverse background in science, fine arts, and fitness. Nasira is currently an adjunct faculty member at Chapman University and AMDA College of Performing Arts, a private practice registered dietitian, and post-doctoral researcher. She also serves as the Nutritionist for Chapman University Department of Dance and the ABT Gillespe School at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. She is a former classical ballet dancer and trained with Pacific Northwest Ballet and the University of Arizona School of Dance and attended summer intensives at the National Ballet of Canada and American Ballet Theater. Upon graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Nutrition and a B.F.A. in dance, Nasira continued her studies in pursuit of a career as a nutrition professional and obtained a Masters in Public Health from UCLA and a Doctorate in Nutritional Sciences from Loma Linda University. Nasira has been a NASM certified personal trainer since 2008 and is a certified yoga instructor.

Dancers face many challenges, including extreme physical and emotional demands, rigorous competition, and body image issues. With realistic and appropriate nutrition strategies to address individual needs, a dancer can thrive!” – Dr. Nasira Burkholder-Cooley

Resources:

Nasira: Website | Blog | Instagram |LinkedIn

Meal Replacement Bars – article in Today’s Dietitian

Related Episodes:

Exercise, Food & Weight – episode #176 with Nancy Clark

Strength In Action: Food & Fitness – episode #129 with Amee Livingston and Lance Pekus

Boys & Body Image – episode #95 with Heather Mangieri and Amy Reed

From the Beach to the Barre – How My Triathlon Brought Me Back to Ballet – Melissa’s blog post

LISTEN, LEARN AND EARN

Listen to select Sound Bites Podcasts and earn free CEU credits approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) for registered dietitian nutritionists and dietetic technicians, registered. Get started!

Get Melissa’s Sound Science Toolkit here!

Partnerships:

Sound Bites is partnering with the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (formerly the American Association of Diabetes Educators)! Stay tuned for updates on the podcast, blog and newsletter!

Sound Bites is partnering with the International Food Information Council! Stay tuned for updates on the podcast, blog and newsletter!

Music by Dave Birk

Produced by JAG in Detroit Podcasts

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