With many young dancers ready to become new students this month, it is important to keep your body healthy and in tip-top condition ready for the training ahead. If you are living away at a college or university and surrounded by other people, it is easy to let good eating habits slip and fall into something that is detrimental to your body.
There are a number of quick and easy breakfast ideas to start your day off in the best possible way so you don’t compromise your nutrition. Eating breakfast has been linked to improved academic performance, better mood, improved concentration and behaviour, as well as stronger athletic performance and higher rates of body fat oxidation. Fuel intake after fasting overnight lets your body know you need energy, and strong muscles, and it is important to get enough sleep for this too.
Eating something is better than nothing, however there are many quick and simple breakfast ideas that will give you the fuel you need for a busy dancing day ahead. Porridge with fruit and nuts/seeds can’t be beaten, however overnight porridge is also time-saving and easy. It is filling and nutritious; mix oats, Greek yoghurt and fruit in a bowl and seal overnight in the fridge. In the morning your porridge will be ready to go!
Fruit smoothies, avocado on toast (healthy fats and calcium for strong bones and muscle function), granola (homemade with seeds, dried fruit and puffed rice cereal) and apples with peanut butter are all perfect ways of getting essential nutrients needed for dance into your body. It can be difficult if you are in a rush but taking 5 minutes to plan ahead really does make all the difference!
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.