Hungry? Jittery? Bloated? Don't Make These Pre-Performance Nutrition Mistakes

Mistake: Timing It Wrong

You have a show at 8 pm, but you’ve been in rehearsal all day and barely had time to eat anything. Now it’s 7:30 and you’re starving. “This should never happen,” says dietitian Peggy Swistak, who works with dancers at Pacific Northwest Ballet. “Think about how your nutrition plays into your day of dancing and rehearsals. Ask yourself, ‘When do I provide myself the energy I need to keep going?’ Don’t let it get thrown to the side.”

If you let yourself get too hungry, you could end up overeating and dancing on an overly full stomach. Instead, plan to eat small, frequent meals and snacks every two to three hours throughout the day. Try to eat your last meal two to three hours before the show. If you need to top off your energy stores prior to curtain, munch on small snacks that won’t overwhelm your stomach backstage.

Try to eat your last meal two to three hours before you perform. Photo by Igor Miske/Unsplash

Mistake: Not Eating Enough Carbs

If you only have a protein shake for dinner, you’re likely to start losing energy halfway through Act I. “Dancers are stop-start athletes, not endurance athletes,” says Harrison. “We need to go full-out for a short amount of time.” To accomplish that, you have to fuel your body with more than protein. “It’s like putting the wrong type of gas into a racecar,” says Harrison. “Instead, you want primarily carbohydrates with a little bit of protein and a little bit of fat.”

Healthy carbs can be found in whole-wheat pastas, brown rice, quinoa and oatmeal, as well as fruits and vegetables. Swistak says every meal or snack you reach for should include a mix of carbs, lean protein and healthy fats. “Don’t eliminate any of these components,” she says. “Instead of just having carrots, dip them in hummus.”

Mistake: Under-Hydrating

Stage lights and nerves can make you sweat more than you’re used to—increasing your chances of becoming dehydrated, which can lead to cramping and lightheadedness. But pay attention to what you’re drinking. Rachel Fine, founder of To The Pointe Nutrition, warns against beverages with sugar, sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners. “Avoid soda—regular and diet—and quit the energy drinks,” she says. “These nutrient-poor choices may contribute to dehydration, and most contain sodium, which can make you feel full and bloated prior to a show.” To encourage yourself to drink more water, boost the flavor by adding a slice of lemon or cucumber.

Never chug an entire bottle of water just before going on stage—you don’t want to feel it sloshing around in your intestines or end up needing to run to the bathroom. Instead, drink slowly and continuously throughout the day until about 30 to 45 minutes before curtain. Then, just grab sips of water whenever you’re offstage during the show.

Mistake: Dancing on Empty

The worst thing you can do before a show is avoid food. Not only will you feel weak onstage, but you’ll be sacrificing your strength over time. “Maybe you have to wear a costume that’s revealing or that you feel self-conscious in, or you think you’ll just eat after the show,” says Harrison. “But your body has to find energy from somewhere, so it ends up breaking down its own muscle tissue to use as fuel. You’re making yourself weaker in the long term.”

If you’re afraid of looking puffy, snack on unsalted nuts and water-filled fruits like grapes or water­melon. These will give you energy without making you bloat.

Water-filled fruits like grapes or unsalted nuts can give you energy without making you feel bloated. Photo by Hector Bermudez/Unsplash

Mistake: Over-Caffeinating

It’s tempting to reach for a cup of coffee for an extra boost of energy before heading onstage, but not all dancers can handle the caffeine intake. “Caffeine is a chemical substance and affects everyone differently, like a drug,” says Harrison. “Don’t drink so much that it makes you jittery. That’s when we make stupid mistakes or get injured.” A moderate amount of caffeine (one to two cups daily) may actually benefit dancers and heighten performance, says Fine. “Research has shown caffeine—when it comes from the right sources, like coffee or tea—boosts endurance by mobilizing our fat stores and sparing our muscles’ glycogen stores,” she says. “In other words, your muscles are able to work harder for longer periods of time.” But if you’re not already a regular coffee drinker, the day of a performance isn’t the time to become one. And skip the sugary toppings or add-ons, like whipped cream or caramel sauce. Just like candy, those empty calories may lead to a sugar crash an hour into the show.

Mistake: Eating What Your Cast Mate Eats

Everyone reacts to food differently. Don’t think that just because a chicken burrito works for your partner means it will work for you. Take the time to learn how your body handles pre-performance meals and snacks. Use dress rehearsals to test different nutrition approaches and find out what fuels your best performance.

Eat what works for you. Photo via Unsplash

Try These Smart Pre-Curtain Meals

Most dancers perform best after eating a healthy, hearty meal about two to three hours before stepping onstage. Try one of these simple dishes to get an ideal mix of carbs, protein and fats.

• A cup of pasta or rice with a light sauce and some vegetables

• A roasted sweet potato with low-fat cottage cheese

• A smoothie with soy or almond milk, walnuts, chia or flax seeds, frozen berries and a banana

• Quinoa mixed with nuts and dried figs

• Oatmeal with nuts, seeds or dried fruits