The secret might be in eating more, not less.
Counting Calories Could Be Affecting Your Recovery After Injury
Being injured as a dancer is tough. The healing process seems like it will take forever. Sometimes it does, and cutting back on your meals could be the reason for that.
The truth is that you need fuel to speed up the recovery process but some might feel like it’s more “figure-friendly” to eat less, especially since movement will be limited for a certain period of time. When your body is undernourished, muscles and ligaments could start to break down. That means your recovery process will be extended.
Human bodies burn calories to heal. Meaning that you’ll need the right amount of carbs (yes, carbs), protein, fatty acids like omega-3, vitamin D and calcium to get the engine running and expedite the recovery process.
2 Tips to Eating Smart While You Heal
Forget About Dieting
You don’t need to “earn” your right to eat. You need to eat because your body needs food to support basic bodily functions. If you just had major surgery or trauma, your body will need about 10 to 20 percent more calories. It’s not about not eating just because you can’t burn as many calories as you normally do. It’s being mindful about eating right.
The Secret Is In Eating Clean
Or, in other words, you need a balanced diet that is mainly composed of real food. None of that packaged stuff. Make sure you’re eating:
- Complex carbs, fruits and vegetables
- Lean protein, low-fat dairy, nuts and legumes
- Healthy fats like nut butters, olive oil and avocado which have an anti-inflammatory effect
- Vitamins and minerals
- Other anti-inflammatory ingredients like certain herbs and spices including turmeric and garlic
It’s all about balance. A healthy nutrition will help your body heal faster, so you can be back on the dance floor in no time. So eat right and be ready to make a comeback. Remember you can check out our class schedule online and register for a class or just give us a call instead. We can’t wait to have you back!