Energy for Dancing

[pygmalion]

Everybody knows that serious dancing is serious business, and burns lots of calories. Question -- how/what do you eat or drink to maintain that energy level? Energy drinks? Water? Bananas? Other ideas? Why?

[Sagitta]

I actually mostly use bubble gum while dancing. Seriously!!! I tend to sweat profusely and if I drink too much liquids I need too many changes of shirts!!! :) When I am at a dance the music on the dance floor energizes me and I don't feel the need to eat. I've done 5/6 hours, or more, that way. I always make sure that I get a good meal in one hour before dancing, so that is enough to keep me going. Then, I have a good meal after dancing too. However, this is if I have only the ocassional dance. This is not something I can do night after night!!

If I am doing a lot of dancing, such as this upcoming week, where I want to go out Tuesday and Wednesday for salsa, and Friday and Sunday for ballroom, I'll probably take smoothies along. Smoothies as these are nutrious, my hands don't get messy, and can be had throughout the night.

[MadamSamba]

I tend to start the night with an energy drink, something like Gatorade, but inevitably end with about a zillion glasses of water. Eating well generally is the key.

At my studio's social, they bring out food, usually nibbles and fruit, throughout the night. It must be expensive, but it's wonderful to just walk over, grab some watermelon or a piece of cake, when you're feeling a little drained. You perk up immediately and aren't forced to go to the food machine and buy chips or other unhealthy tid bits.

Jenn, I've also noticed that I eat one hell of a lot more since I took up dancing. I never ate much, but I guess I wasn't expending the energy. Since taking up dancing, I really crave foods packed with energy. Usually it's good food, but when I'm dancing lots, I don't mind a small bar of chocolate now and then!!! :)

[pygmalion]

I usually make sure I eat and hour or two beforehand, and then drink lots of water while I'm dancing. (Maybe that's why I sweat so much?) If I'm dancing for really prolonged periods, I make sure that my lunch/dinner includes carbs, and if necessary, I'll drink one of those nutritional supplement drinks, like boost or ensure. I'm not too big a fan of the "energy" drinks and I hate the taste of Gatorade.

[Swing Kitten]

I used to think that I didn't like gatorade... I was having trouble with low blood pressure last summer when I was told to try Gatorade to which I replied that I didn't like it. etc. etc.

I was assured that there were some good flavors. I tried Watermelon and really liked it. Might be worth some investigation ;)

[Marvellous]

Big meal on hour or so before; usually Fettucini Alfredo or something like that! That keeps me going for 5 hours no problem. :D

I don't use any snacks while dancing, because food(and everything else) is far from my mind when I am dancing.

[pygmalion]

I agree, Marvellous. And eating while I'm dancing sort of flips my stomach -- maybe it's all the abdominal contractions, but eating and dancing don't mix for me, especially if I'm performing or competing.

[Vince A]

Just as runners do, I use to load up on pasta (carbs) for about 5 days before a competition, and drink lots of water and Gatorade. If you start the carbs about a week out, and then drop off (going to veggies and lower the H2O intake) a day or two before you can peak on the day of competition. But do hydrate with plenty of water the day of the competition.

Now that I have diabetes, I no longer do the carbs, but I do eat lots of chicken and fish for a few days before, and still do the water and Gatorade.

A few Red Bulls work if you've been up all night dancing and have to compete early in the AM. And so does lots of coffee . . .

[DanceMentor]

I've always tried to eat a healthy diet, but I find that it really doesn't matter what I eat, as long as I don't eat too much right before dancing. I think eating big meals is a bad tradition. It's much better to eat smaller meals but more often. All that said...I'm so addicted to dancing that once I start, I can't seem to stop! :D

[Danish Guy]

Not eating supper, or just eating a fruit or 2 give me more energy than eating. :shock:
Being filled up with food seems to drain my energy, moving slower.

I refill my energy with a cola or two, and some water.
This keeps me dancing for 5 hours with no energy problems. :D

[Danish Guy]

I use to load up on pasta (carbs)

I know pasta, but carbs is a new word. :oops:
Is this a pasta brand, or?

[Sagitta]

I use to load up on pasta (carbs)

I know pasta, but carbs is a new word. :oops:
Is this a pasta brand, or?

Carbs is not a brand name. Let's see if I can explain this clearly...

Carbs stands for carbohydrates. It is the name given to a wide variety of organic molecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen...These are an important food source, and are appropriate here in this thread as they are a good source of energy. This energy source can be easily digestible if it is in the form of sugars, such as those in gatorade and cola, and so provide a quick energy boost. Downside is that it's just that, a quick short-lived energy boost. Then there are foods composed of more complex sugars called starches, such as rice, bread, and pasta. These take longer to digest, but provide energy over a longer period of time.

Hope that this helps. I got to go to a meeting and I'm late. If I need to clarify anything that I have said let me know. :)

[Vince A]

You did a really great job of explaining 'carbs' Sagitta!

[SDsalsaguy]

You did a really great job of explaining 'carbs' Sagitta!
A little overkill, perhaps, but a great job none the less! :lol:

[Danish Guy]

Thanks Sagitta!

:D :D :D

[pygmalion]

Yes, and when I mentioned eating carbs for energy, I was referring to the pasta/bread/rice/potatoes type -- usually pasta, because it provides long-lived energy. Energy from simple sugars is too short-lived for me, unless my blood sugar is super low, in which case I'll drink an emergency soda or eat a piece of candy. ( Yes, I know, diabetes is probably in my future. everybody over 65 in my family has it. )