Top Snacks for a Ballerina | What helped me survive Vaganova!

[@Jamtarts2025]

As an MD I want to say everything you said is right

[@balletwithisabella]

Yes absolutely! We must fuel our bodies! 😊

[@hellohvj]

"You shouldn't have to earn your food" 👌👌

[@redlantern3371]

Wonderful commentary and advice! Back in my day, we were not allowed to drink anything. After class there would be a very long line at the rusty old water fountain. Also my teacher was beloved, but throughout the class smoked unfiltered Chesterfield cigarettes with the windows shut. Thank goodness things have changed. Unfortunately, I danced in the era of starvation eating and no water of any kind. I'm so glad this is no longer the norm.

[@balletwithisabella]

well actually I can relate! we weren't allowed to drink but I would sneak it during the class when I can haha! And my teacher regularly left the lesson to go and have a cigarette, especially around exam time, when she was super stressed! Thanks for your comments, lovely to hear it.

[@brendadufaur37]

I can't fathom a ballet teacher smoking in a ballet classroom. So awful.

[@redlantern3371]

@@brendadufaur37 Yes, alot of things were different back in the 60's and 70's. Thankfully, some of it has evolved into more healthy practices.

[@Aardappelpurree]

Woow! I had a french ballet teacher once who would scold us if we got cramps in our muscles, saying 'muscle cramps are due to dehydration'. She always told us to drink half a liter beforehand and to bring a bottle with. In my adult hobby ballet class I do nowadays I easily drink a liter in 1,5 hours.

[@CJclaudianovak]

This video should see more people, not just dancers, athletes, but ALL people! This video is seriously THE BEST! 💜🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@lubeeluonline]

Thank you for this. I don’t think nutrition is taught enough alongside such a physical activity. You’re absolutely right about healthy fats aiding the function of certain hormones plus it aids the absorption of certain vitamins. My big thing is talking a lot about periods with my students. How to keep them healthy & how to handle a period whilst dancing (menstrual cups will change their lives most of the time!) Supplements are great additions (not replacements) too.

[@balletwithisabella]

Complete agree! These are all things in addition to what I’d eat. I just did an episode on my podcast about periods if interested ❤️ will likely talk about it here too at some point - love what you’re doing!

[@katarinarabekova3396]

This together with your podcast episode is so helpful. I remember, always when I was trying to do more training - be it class, crosstraining or practice, I would just me so exhausted after two or three days that I just couldn't get through the week. At the time, eating sugary stuff and excercising just didn't go together. Now I'm starting to understand (even though I have to remind myslef of it quite a lot) that my body needs energy and food just for it's sole existence, and doing ballet + studying at an academical school are things that are kind of extra.

[@balletwithisabella]

Exactly girl!! treat yourself like the athlete and superstar you are! fuel like it 🤩

[@bayleecrute]

It’s funny because I have a bunch of electrolyte powder stored away for when I’m sick but no one has ever said that that’s something that can be really helpful to aid my energy on dance days so thank you

[@giadarose3542]

My go to snack is Go Macro bars! Perfect for before and after class!

[@balletwithisabella]

yummy!

[@cristinacavalli97]

Isabella it would be interesting if you discuss how you managed your period during the years at Vaganova Academy as a student, if you feel comfortable talking about it! ☺

[@cristinacavalli97]

Surely great tips, thanks for the deeper explanation on electrolites

[@IdaIgnis]

I'm a vocational contemporary dance student and I survive my day with the help of a mix of nuts, dried banana or mango and fresh carrots with homemade avocado or cottage cheese dips or apples, sometimes a müsli bar if I really am hungry. Electrolyte drinks sound perfect and especially like the exact thing I need to get through the day better, at the moment I feel like the beginning of the week is no problem but from Wednesday on I always feel so exhausted. Protein shakes and proper meals (especially vegetable curry with wholegrain rice is my go to dish atm) can only be consumed before and after school so I snack my way through the day :D

[@balletwithisabella]

amazing! yes try the drinks, they make a huge difference!!

[@L-Ondee]

It sounds like you are a vegetarian or even part time vegan. Please make sure you are getting protein regularly and watch your iron and vitamin B12 and D intake. You do what you want, of course, but I was in your exact situation, and if I could talk to my younger self, I would give myself this advice. All the best!

[@balletwithisabella]

@@L-Ondee I’m not. These are just my Snacks. Not my meals. My meals had lots of protein in them. 🙂 I didn’t need animal products in all my snacks too x

[@L-Ondee]

@@balletwithisabella sorry, I meant Idalgnis. I should have made that clear in my answer to her comment! Thanks for responding Isabella, I enjoy your channel a lot!

[@mjt9822]

This info is so helpful to me! Thank you, Isabella.

[@aradech1470]

Thank you! This is a real problem for ballerinas especially. I just went sooo anemic like a lot of times and I couldn´t even reach the fondu on the barre :( . Now I´m better but this video also helped a lot

[@asinromeo37]

My favorite go to quick snack is chana. It solves my crunchy snack urges, is healthy and gives me the protein I need for my system. That, bananas, electrolytes and organic grain bars get me through the day without weighing me down. I generally eat eggs or peanut butter in the morning for breakfast.

[@Kdja1972]

Hi really pleased to have found your content- do you have any plans on offering any children intensives? There’s very little for children/ young teens learning Vaganova style in south England.

[@luannfeld3983]

Sound advice 😊

[@balletwithisabella]

Comment down below what your go to snacks are! ❤️

[@sweetie_xx]

My favorite snack is lentil crisps, could you do a video on picking up combinations quicker

[@moonhunter9993]

apple sluces with peanut butter

[@pauljames907]

Have you tried a deep fried Mars Bar after a workout?

[@LisaM-e1i]

In my younger days i was a non professional dancer. I am still slim at 54. However i have cellulite. I want to remove this. This is my main concern. I dont exercise im not motivated or focussed or interested.