Munching on healthy snacks? A question of choice for a dancer

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Picture used for representational purpose only

As a professional dancer or even as a dancer who dances as a hobby, one tends to do lot of physical activity, we have to dance and practice choreographies, not just in the classroom, but also on our own. This can be very exhausting and physically very tiring.

Many dancers tend to eat all day long or in other words keep munching throughout the day. So that they do not feel physically tired, they feel extra food intake will keep the exhaustion away. The habit of munching all day long is actually a bad habit and as a dancer you must try to get rid of it.
It’s all right to eat something when hunger pangs arise, but continually putting food into the mouth or grazing, can cause a fair share of harm. Not only does it cause an eating addiction of sorts, but it can also wreak havoc with the digestive system, as it does not get any break.
It’s a question of choice — continuous snacking during rehearsals can be both healthy and harmful, depending on the choice of foods consumed, says my friend and nutritionist Pooja Bhargava. “It’s healthy as it can prevent acidity, which is caused due to long gaps between two meals, but it is harmful if the choice of snacks are unhealthy or contain too much fat.” Two-hourly snacking is the health mantra prescribed by Pooja. But, the emphasis must lie on what are the kinds of snacks consumed.
Healthy options would be to sip on green tea, lime juice, buttermilk or munch on kurmura and roasted chana.
“Eat two or three biscuits, a handful of mixed nuts and dry fruits which contain Omega-3 fats, khakras, or steamed snacks like idlis. One can also have sprouts, chaat or fresh green salads. These snacks are packed with fibre and other micronutrients which are essential for the body,” says Pooja.
The option of fried foods is a total no-no.
“Vada pav, wafers, medu wada, pizzas, burgers etc. can lead to lethargy and decreased output while dancing. These snacks contain high amounts of saturated fats which add to obesity, diabetes etc in the long run,” says Pooja.
Get these today:
Walnuts and almonds: Walnuts are high in heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. About 12 almonds have 180 calories and good Omega-9 fatty acids. These and other nuts also are a high source of vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Have a handful of nuts with low-fat cheese, or some oatmeal, which will make you feel full longer.
Fruits: Fruits such as apples are loaded with pectin, which helps suppress your appetite. The average serving of fruit is around 70 calories. You can also alter the ones you eat each day for variety. Try having it with a glass of fat-free milk.
Yoghurt: It is a rich source of calcium and protein. It also contains healthy bacteria, known as probiotics that keep the digestive tract healthy. Add strawberries to your bowl for a great mid-day snack.
Granola bars or oatmeal packets: They contain iron content and can lower blood pressure, while oatmeal helps lower cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease. Have them with low-fat cheese or some fruit.
Flaxseeds: Flaxseeds are a storehouse of Omega-3. Have them with low-fat cheese or some fruit, for variety add some almond slivers and raisins to it.
As a dancer we need more energy all the time and to get the energy it is important to snack on the right kind of food so that our energy levels can remain high and also improve our health. I hope the tips from my
nutritionist friend Pooja will help all the readers to remain healthy while they dance.