I have tweeted many a tip on what NOT to eat before class… I’m going to be assembling a list for my own edification and amusement but for now here are just a few off the top of my head…

a bag of Lays potato chips & a diet Coke

a double espresso & a diet Coke chaser

an enormous burrito & a diet Coke

a packet of mini chocolate donuts & a diet Coke

altoids (mostly for the benefit of my teacher & classmates)

or this morning’s breakfast special –  a coffee, a diet Coke & 2 Midol

I have tried a few different things and realized that usually eating something before ballet class is better than eating nothing before ballet class, although not always the case, particularly when large Mexican dishes are involved.

I did an experiment using myself as test subject over the course of a couple of weeks with regard to hydration and discovered that low calorie Gatoraide does actually serve me better than water, 1/2 water 1/2 coconut water, or smartwater… and definitely better than coffee or diet Coke. For better or worse, low calorie G2 sort of tastes like liquid jello but definitely packs more of a punch than plain water. Particularly when I haven’t really eaten much.

I have now tried the Gatoraide G01 Prime pre-workout fuel. It isn’t a bar, they are little bite sized pieces of wafer & fruit type cookie. They really aren’t that tasty, the first one is okay, by the second one, you don’t really want to eat a third one. But they do work. And I’ve also tried Powerbar Performance Energy bars in Peanut Butter. Half a bar before class is pretty good. Not the greatest taste, dry but effective. I refuse to even taste anything that smells like crushed vitamins through the packaging. No.

I’m going to admit that I don’t actual think this is the best way to go. It’s probably much healthier to eat a good and health conscious meal a couple of hours before class but let’s be real, my people, that is usually SO NOT going to happen. I won’t toss fruit into my dance bag because it makes my bag smelly and it’s hard to eat while driving, which is a pet peeve of mine. I hate that.

Some things that have had a modicum of success: in the fridge – individual cartons of yogurt, Baby Belle cheese, hard boiled eggs, and cherry tomatoes. In the cabinet – peanut butter and almond butter and just a spoon.

In a 60 minute class, I don’t really feel the difference if I haven’t eaten. But for a regular 90 minute class, I absolutely feel it. It makes a difference if I’ve eaten and hydrated properly and since I want to be able to make the best use of my time in class, I want to go to class prepared to work.

I’m really interested to hear about what you guys do? Do you eat beforehand, if so, what do you eat? Do you hydrate a lot before class or during class? What’s the best thing you’ve found to eat/drink for class and just for giggles what’s been the worst?

It’s been a little bit since my last post! What happened? Oh, yeah, day job, dissertation, travel, sick, grown up responsibilities. **enter big sigh here**

So to catch up, let’s see, lot’s of great ballet classes with awesome ballet teacher, took a trip up the coast of california to see San Jose Ballet – which was awesome! Kept on going to San Francisco for Chinese food in Chinatown and chocolate sundaes at Ghiradelli Square. Came home and immediately caught a cold. Felt better and went back to ballet class… and here we are.

I’ve got a few cool projects in the works, including the one I hinted at a couple of weeks ago! The graphics file is done and I have a company lined up so things are moving forward. The excitement builds!

What to look forward to this week? Four ballet classes and going to see Los Angeles Ballet perform Swan Lake on Saturday night thanks to LAB dancer Chris McDaniel! 

Let there be ballet!