Tips from a Ballerina

Tip #7

You're a dancer yeah? You're in school too? Juggling the two can be extremely difficult, borderline unreasonable. They both take up so much time, and effort. Here's how I do it:
I always start my day around 7:30. It's just a solid time to be awake and alive in the world. Not too early, not too late. I kickstart my morning with breakfast. While I don't think it's the MOST important meal of the day, it's one that needs to help your body wake up. So stay away from simple sugars and lots of carbs. You're body wants some natural energy and light food to wake up the organs. Fruits, grains, protein, and water, WATER, WAAATTEEERRR!!!!!!! I normally have a glass as soon as I wake up, make my breakfast, and then sip on some more water while I eat. Coffee is difenitelt okay, sometimes a necessity for those of us who just can't handle mornings. Next up is class. Try to stay focused on the goals of the assignments and what you need to know to complete those goals. Lunch? I normally have some veggies, along with protein, any dairy I want, and, you guessed it, water. More classes after lunch? No problem! You got this! Again, jut focus on the task at hand. No matter what else you have going on, school is so important. Just think of where it'll get you! Now, let's say you have dance class after school. No time for dinner? That's okay. No really, it's super okay. Below I've listed some super easy snacks to pack in plastic baggies or containers that make eating on the go easy. Just munch on those between dance sessions. These snacks are really light and healthy, to keep you feeling great and energized while dancing. For me, my dance classes end around 9:30pm. That's really late for a school night, and way too late to eat dinner. The body is ready to wind down. So remember that if you're hungry this late, eat a little snack, but stay away from dairy and carbs this late. And definitely not too much sugar! The body needs rest! Try and go to bed as early as you can manage, to wake up refreshed and ready for the next day. :)

1. Lightly salted almonds and cubed cheese.
2. Apple slices and craisens.
3. Peanuts, grapes, and graham crackers.
4. Carrots and sunflower seeds. (Cutting your carrots into small slices makes munching much easier and safer to grab a quick bite before running back to Dance!)
5. Turkey slices, Apple slices, and cheese cubes.
6. Get creative! You know what you like! Put a simple spin on any foods you like to make them more travel-friendly!