Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 1/24/2009

Question
Hi, I'm here to post another question. Thanks very much on your previous reply on ballet turn outs.

For now, do you have any recommendation of a ideal diet for a ballerina? I'm 17 with height around 152cm, weight around 39 40kg but I've got fats around my tummy and thighs. What are the food that as a ballerina, we should have larger intake? And what we shouldn't take at all? (other than junk food like fast food and tibits)

Secondly, is there any ways to improve strength? When I'm doing the "gron batmohn", i find it strenuous to gather strength for continuous movement of it.

Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you=]

Yours Sincerely,
Liping.

Answer
Hi Liping. Sorry about the delay in getting back to you. I had some computer problems yesterday and today...but I'm back!

Firstly, in response to the question about diet, I googled "protein intake for ballet dancers". Do the same, and on the first page you will find some very good articles. Read them all! It's very important for athletes to get enough protein.

It doesn't seem to me that you are over weight, but you seem concerned. Please remember that you are still growing, and your body fat and weight will go through more growth stages, and will fluctuate.

As for "grands battments", maybe you can decide whether your lack of strength is a)cardio-vascular, as in becoming breathless, or b) lack of actual muscle strength in your core muscles, and quads (the large front of thigh muscles.

Weakness may be muscle weakness. Lack of physical stamina however, may be from nutritional deficiency, (usually lack of protein in athletes and ballet dancers, but may be loss of minerals or dehydration) or anemia (lack of iron) or a low functioning thyroid gland.

So please calculate your required protein intake from googling the "protein" related articles I mentioned above. See if your diet includes enough.

I am not sure where you are, but if you do not come up with a dietary solution and feel some improvement in your strength, please see a doctor and ask for advice. I personally have had very good experience with oriental medicine, but I'm not assuming that is your only choice. Sometimes blood tests can determine an endocrine or other deficiency that can be treated, and make a world of difference in how you feel.

Please feel free to ask me further questions, after you have explored all of this. All the best, Dianne