Being a professional dancer has its highs – the costumes, the glamorous makeup, the lights, the applause. But with every high, comes the potential to experience lows like mental fatigue, physical pain, and low energy. Dance rehearsals can involve hours of performing repetitive and athletic choreography, throwing my body into someone else’s arms in hopes that they catch me, and memorizing complex movement patterns moments after learning them.
In short, dancing is really, really hard. That’s why it’s so crucial for me to make the right food choices and eat healthy snacks. The foods I eat have nothing to do with appearance and everything to do with performance. I reach for foods with quality ingredients that will keep my body energized, my mind sharp, and help rebuild my muscles so I can come back stronger than the day before.
Below are my go-to foods to fuel me through every step, twirl, and leap.
Chomps Original Turkey Sticks
As a dancer, I am constantly moving. That’s why I always include plenty of room for healthy snacks that are super energy dense and satiating like these Chomps Turkey Sticks. These are packed with delicious flavor and plenty of protein to keep me full, maintain muscle, and properly recover my body. Plus, they’re small enough to keep stocked in my dance bag 24/7.
Homemade Trail Mix
I love to mix things up and get creative -- whether that’s the style of dance I’m doing or the snacks I’m consuming. There’s really no better way to keep my palate surprised and stomach happy than with a homemade nut mix. I personally love to combine roasted cashews, almonds, chopped dates and pumpkin seeds, but you can have fun with it and mix any combination your heart desires.
Big Green Smoothie
To compensate for the energy and the micronutrients I expend during a dance session, I start my day off with a big green smoothie. For the base, I like to use spinach and frozen banana. Then I’ll add plenty of coconut water to keep me hydrated, protein powder, and some kind healthy fat like avocado, nut butter, or seeds. This is the most delicious way to sneak in some veggies and keep me focused until snack time.
PB&J Overnight Oats
Carbohydrates like oats are a dancer’s best friend because they offer quick and lasting energy. To make my pb&j overnight oats, I combine rolled oats, almond milk, mashed banana, vanilla protein powder, and chia seeds to a mason jar. I’ll give that mixture a good shake and store it in the fridge overnight. In the morning I’ll top it with a healthy scoop of peanut butter and fresh berries, throw it in my bag, and head out the door.
Original Beef Chomplings
These Original Beef Chomplings mini meat sticks provide the perfect bite of flavor and energy without making me too full. They come in handy when I have a more demanding rehearsal schedule and a little less time to fully indulge. They also come in a variety of flavors so I never get bored.
Whether you're preparing for your next performance, or maintaining energy levels at practice, Chomps has the perfect snacks to satisfy your appetite while on a dancer's diet. Filled with all-things-good-for-you, Chomps' products come in various flavors, varieties, and sizes to suit your taste. Make your next move the best yet!
