Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 3/23/2009

Question
I'm a male and have recently gotten into dancing.  I should also note that I am 22 and just started a few years ago so I don't have alot of training.  However I am currently dancing in a show and we rehearse a few times a week.  I often feel tired and/or hungry after practice and come home and eat ALOT of food.  But I'm not really sure what the best diet for a young male dancer with a big appetite like myself to be.  I don't even have a clue what a good amount of calories to take in should be.  I feel like I eat plenty beforehand but then I stillend up eating loads o food later in the day too. (My BMI is average but I could probably stand to lose a few pounds of fat)  

Any help would be great, thanks!

Answer
Hi Jason. Here's a link to an interview I did on nutrition, if you scroll down to the bottom area, there is a link for a protein calculator. You definitely need to check that.

In general my advice would be to eat the most nutritious foods you can, as breads, pastas, crackers etc., are empty calories and you'll get hungry again. Heaps of green vegetables with some butter and good quality meats and fish,  eggs for breakfast..... read the article too and see what you think.

Make sure you have healthy snacks with you at rehearsals - walnuts, other nuts, maybe some chopped veggies and cheese. You just have to coordinate your personal preferences. However, maybe you need not to wait till you get home, but eat more during the day. If you get full on nutritious fresh food, cut empty carbs, you might feel better fed, andd lose the fat too.

If this doesn't resolve for you see a nutritional expert locally. And feel free to ask any further questions.

One reference I recommend is www.alsearsmd.com. He is a medical  doctor with many good articles on health and fitness.

All the best with the show! Dianne