| While it is logical that proper nutrition and adequate rest | | | | As an alternative, a cup of hot herbal or mint tea or a |
| are required for good singing, a vocalist can either help | | | | moderate amount of water is the best choice for |
| or hinder their performance by what they eat and | | | | hydration before a performance. Drinking ice cold |
| when they eat it. A general rule says performers | | | | liquids will constrict the tissues around the throat. |
| should eat at least an hour before a performance to | | | | A small meal that satisfies your hunger but does not fill |
| avoid problems with digestion and to avoid irritating the | | | | you up too much, within an hour or two before singing |
| throat and vocal chords. | | | | is a wise choice. Straining to draw a full breath from |
| Milk and dairy products are often singled out as being | | | | your diaphragm will be more difficult if you overindulge |
| responsible for increasing mucous production in the | | | | before singing. However, skipping meals or starving |
| body, something that could clog the throat and cause | | | | yourself before singing will not help much either, if a |
| people to clear their throat needlessly. This is obviously | | | | headache or hunger pangs hamper your performance. |
| not good for proper singing. Dairy is high in fat, but this | | | | Lean proteins like fish, eggs, tofu, and chicken, along |
| notion needs a little clarification. | | | | with rice and vegetables, is a sensible meal that will be |
| If you have a cold, respiratory condition, lactose | | | | easier to digest and less likely to cause indigestion, |
| intolerance or allergy to dairy, consuming dairy products | | | | heartburn, or stomach cramps. |
| at any time will tend to thicken the mucous already in | | | | In addition, we should take a moment to consider the |
| your body, but it will not increase the amount of | | | | amount of water we drink. Chronic dehydration is a |
| mucous. Being sensible to how dairy products affect | | | | problem for many people, simply because they do not |
| your stomach, if at all, should determine whether to | | | | consume enough water to equal the amount they lose |
| include it in your diet. | | | | through sweating, breathing, and eliminating waste. If |
| Logic dictates that a singer would not want to drink | | | | you exercise or suffer illness, you lose even more than |
| carbonated beverages, spicy foods, coffee, or fruit | | | | normal. |
| juices directly before singing. Let's discuss these | | | | We make things worse when we drink sodas, coffee, |
| individually. | | | | or alcohol, all of which are natural diuretics, encouraging |
| Carbonated drinks increase the amount of air in the | | | | urine production. Whatever the source, dehydration |
| esophagus and the stomach, which could audibly | | | | causes, at the very least, fatigue, headaches, muscle |
| escape at the most inopportune times. Spicy foods | | | | weakness, and dizziness. These conditions can |
| may irritate the throat and your airway, causing you to | | | | hamper vocal ability considerably. This is why drinking |
| swallow excessively or cough. Coffee and strong teas | | | | an adequate amount of water during the twenty four |
| tend to dry out the mouth, making it more difficult to | | | | hours before you sing is so important. Water refreshes |
| keep the voice box moist. Fruit juices are very acidic, | | | | the bodys vital organs and systems, and a healthy |
| and they also tend to irritate or dry out the throat. | | | | body contributes to a healthy voice. |
| So what can you safely eat or drink before singing? | | | | |