Singing involves the use of the muscle movement and contraction of the mouth, voice box, diaphragm and (in some cases) the extremities in a highly controlled manner. Although these movements aren’t as intensive as crunches or running, vocalists need to take great care of their throat and body. This is true for performers who will be on the road for weeks singing in various venues.
If you want to have a successful career as a singer, you’ll need to do more than just take up voice lessons and practice every day. You also have to eat foods that are rich in nutrients — specifically vitamins and minerals that will keep your vocal muscles strong and consistently hydrated.
What foods should you eat to improve and maintain your beautiful singing voice? Consider adding these seven options to your diet:
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Table of Contents
Fresh Fruits
When talking about fresh fruit, this means getting the whole apple and kiwi instead of the juiced counterparts. Stay away from processed fruit juices that you find in supermarkets, such as ready-to-drink orange juice with pulp. Although these juices have vitamins printed on the nutrition label, they may come with excessive sugar that could cause an energy spike — and energy crash afterward.
When you’re eating whole fruits, take the time to chew them, as they contain vitamins, fiber and other nutrients that help your system absorb them all better.
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Vegetables
Incorporating veggies in your diet is a must if you want to stay in shape and keep your throat in excellent condition. A few vegetable options you should consume are the following:
- Green Juices – On top of keeping your throat hydrated, these juices are great for your health. You could drink them during the evening if you’re feeling thirsty. Pro-tip: Rather than purchase ready-to-drink veggie juices from the supermarket, use a juicer or blender to make DIY green juices. Simply combine vegetable items, such as carrot, cucumber and ginger, then hit the blend button on your machine.
- Dark Leafy Vegetables – These veggies are rich in minerals, such as calcium, iron and fiber. Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, are fantastic choices. You could eat them as is or add them as a green juice ingredient.
- Salad – When you want to snack on something in the afternoon, consume a side dish of veggies instead of reaching for candies and chocolates. Tossing a salad helps you stay physically fit and provide excellent lubrication for your throat.
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Honey
A small spoonful of this food is an excellent lubricator for your throat. Adding honey to decaf tea or water can coat and alleviate a tired throat, as well as stop your vocal cords from drying out. You could take honey at night after you’ve finished singing or first thing in the morning on a performance day.
What makes honey an amazing food is its antibacterial property. It can keep the nasty sore-throat bugs from affecting your voice and ruining your singing performance.
A word of caution: Although this food tastes sweet and offers health benefits, it’s high in sugar. Try not to go overboard with honey.
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Chicken
This lean meat is low in fat, fills you up faster and offers a great source of protein. Given that proteins take a while to digest, you’ll have the energy you need to sing and perform to your audience. Lean protein also fortifies the muscles in your vocal area.
If you’re going to eat chicken, avoid the usual deep-fried or southern-fried options you’ll typically find in fast food establishments. These fried goods contain excess oil, which doesn’t do your throat and body any good. Instead, buy a fresh, whole chicken at the supermarket. Then, grill or bake that to perfection.
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Eggs
This food is rich in Vitamin A and protein. Just like chicken, the protein will energize you during your singing performances.
You could boil and eat eggs or serve them with a delicious and healthy veggie salad. Just make sure to avoid frying them in oil or butter.
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Fish
Not all oils are unhealthy for your body. Fish, for instance, is a protein filled with beneficial oils like omega-3 fatty acids that will help maintain your everyday health.
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Water
Although this may sound like a no-brainer, water is the best thing you can drink for your throat. Choose room temperature water instead of ice-cold water that’s available in the fridge. Unlike cold water, room temperature water doesn’t mess with your vocal cords.
Singers, vocalists and performing artists should include these foods in their everyday diet. The next time you’ll be performing in front of your audience, take a good look at what you’re eating before the performance. The food that you put in your mouth can make or break your career.
