Avoid foods before singing

Your singing performance can be either helped or hindered by the foods you eat beforehand. You shouldn't sing on an empty stomach; however, don't sing on a full stomach either! Here are some tips on how and what to eat before your singing event.

When to Eat Meals before the Performance

Try not to eat only moments before the event. This can cause harmful throat-clearing before or during your performance. Also, if your stomach is full while singing, your diaphragm movement will be hindered. You will find it difficult to take a full breath when needed. Also, you might begin burping! That will definitely turn off any audience!

On the other hand, don't perform when you're starving. Your stomach might begin growling during the performance. Also, you'll need enough energy to be vibrant for your audience. If you skip a meal beforehand, you might develop fatigue, nausea, or headache, which can hinder your singing voice and performance.

With these in mind, try to eat a "normal" balanced meal about an hour or two before singing. This will give your digestive system a chance to work. Eat non-heavy foods that are easy to digest. Eating foods that sit heavy in your stomach or overeating can cause you to become extremely sleepy. Eggs are great because they offer high protein, but are low in density.

Foods to Avoid before Singing

Avoid foods that can cause you to experience an increase in nose and throat mucous while singing. These include dairy products such as milk or ice cream. Avoid citrus fruits as well. These tend to dry the throat. Spicy foods and coffee are throat irritants. Also, avoid food choices that can cause too much air in the stomach such as sodas and other drinks with "fizz." Try to avoid ice cold food or drinks before a performance. These can cause your throat to constrict. Avoid alcohol and large amounts of junk food on the day of your performance. And, go easy on the salt!

Foods to Enjoy before Singing

While there are foods and drinks that do harm your throat, there are a few foods that soothe the throat such as candy or licorice tea. Drink lukewarm drinks such as herbal tea or water. Some healthy meal choices for your body and voice include chicken, almonds, fish, yellow vegetables, apples, eggs, and rice.

Salt water or baking soda gargles, sugar lozenges or some hard candies, and honey can help soothe the throat if it's irritated just before a performance.

When you take notice of the foods you eat on the day of your singing performance, you'll be amazed at how these affect your singing voice. Shoot for the healthy stuff to give your singing audience a real thrill!

Thank you to Bob Pardue