From the rehearsal studio to life with her son, Magnus, Isabella Boylston is finding new rhythms in nourishment, movement, and recovery. We spoke with the ballet dancer about her postpartum routines, the meals she loves, and what it means to listen to her body in this new chapter.
You can shop Isabella’s Postpartum Routine with code ISABELLA20 for 20% off first-time orders.
1. As a professional dancer, fueling your body is everything. How has your relationship to nourishment changed since giving birth to Magnus?
I am someone who used to sleep 8-9 hours every night. Now that that’s no longer feasible and I’m quite sleep deprived and also breastfeeding, I’m trying to make up for it by making sure I’m as well nourished as possible. I’ve been trying to eat nutrient dense meals and supplementing daily with Perelel.
2. What was your first meal after giving birth?
As soon as we left the hospital, I had my husband drive us straight to Sugarfish for a to-go box of sushi. It tasted like the most incredible thing I’ve ever eaten.
3. Did you have any food aversions while pregnant?
Thankfully I didn’t have a ton of nausea, but I was very grossed out by the smell of cooking rice for some reason. And the texture of bananas would make me ill.
4. What was the food (or dish!) you missed the most while pregnant?
Probably prosciutto! And a turkey sandwich.
5. How has your relationship with fueling and nourishment changed from being pregnant to being in the newborn phase?
Being pregnant made me so much more conscious of everything I was eating. I also had a ton of paranoia about food borne illnesses while I was pregnant and so it’s a relief not to feel that anymore. I’d say that I was probably the healthiest I’ve ever been during pregnancy because of how well I was eating and that has carried over to now.
6. Postpartum is a type of recovery in itself—how does it compare to recovery as a dancer?
It’s actually quite similar. As a ballet dancer, when my rehearsal day ends, my recovery is just beginning. I get massages regularly and do ice baths and physical therapy. A lot of the recovery is focusing on my mental health as well, and that’s been the same for my postpartum recovery.
7. How has your relationship to movement and dance changed since having Magnus? What has surprised you the most?
Continuing to dance and move has brought me so much joy both during my pregnancy and now. I think what surprised me the most is that my balance feels more off now, from the milk production and my boobs feel heavier than it did when I was 9 months pregnant. My turns feel very off now, postpartum.
8. Are there any specific roles that you’ve danced that you’re thinking about differently, now that you’ve become a mom?
Swan Lake is always the hardest ballet for me and the thought of returning to it feels a bit like climbing Everest. But at the same time, i think it could feel easier because I won’t have the same capacity to obsess and spiral over it. As a mom, you’re forced to be in the moment because you’re constantly tending to your baby. You don’t have the time or interest to think about yourself as much.
9. Are there any foods that you’ve been using to support your energy levels through newborn life?
Every morning, Dan makes me a smoothie and he’ll alternate putting different Perelel powders in it. We use the protein, the cellular hydration, and the collagen + defense. I also like the collagen in my coffee. I feel like it’s a great way for me to efficiently boost my nutrient intake.
10. How has your appetite changed while nursing?
I am starving all the time! This is probably the most I’ve ever eaten in my life. It’s crazy how much energy it takes to breastfeed.
11. What snacks or meals have become staples in your kitchen for nights when you’re up with Magnus?
I’ve been snacking on cheese and olive bread or crackers. I’ve been obsessed with jarlsberg and Brie lately. There’s a french cheese shop near my apartment in Brooklyn, so I go there and chat with the owner and try the different cheeses she recommends.
12. Has your hydration routine changed postpartum, especially with nursing and dancing?
I do feel way thirstier now than before. I always have a couple large glasses for water and the cellular hydration sticks on my bedside table. I get especially thirsty in the middle of the night when I wake up to breastfeed.
13. Is there anything about postpartum nutrition that’s surprised you?
I do have more of a sweet tooth now than I did before.
14. What’s the best advice you’ve received about fueling as a professional dancer? Does it still apply postpartum?
I think the best advice is just to listen to your body and don’t force anything too much, and yes I’d say that is very much applicable still.
15. Do you have any advice for fellow dancers or athletes navigating postpartum nutrition with the goal of returning to a physically intense career?
I’d say just to not be afraid to ask for help. It’s so difficult to take care of your own health and recovery when you’re also caring for a newborn and although it’s a cliche, it’s true that it takes a village. Also, getting out into sunshine whenever possible has really helped me to feel more like myself when I’m running on so little sleep. And ordering in groceries whenever possible to save time.
