Singing Hangry: The Surprising Ways What You Eat Affects Your Voice

As a singer, you want your voice to sound great, right? Well, did you know that what you eat can make a huge difference in how your voice sounds? The old “you are what you eat” is actually true and I'm not just talking about avoiding garlic and onions before a big performance (although that's a good idea too!). I am talking about a complete 360 degree of what you eat and when, though I’ll discuss ‘When?’ in much greater detail in a future article. Here are some of Eternalramblings’ tips for keeping your voice in tip-top shape:

1.Hydrate or evaporate!

Okay, I know that sounds like something a cheesy motivational speaker would say, but it's true! And though almost all of my articles keep reminding you of drinking water, I will repeat it again and again to get to you. Drinking water is the most essential habit for keeping your vocal cords lubricated and your voice sounding smooth. If you don't drink enough water, your vocal cords can dry out and your voice will sound more like a frog than a pop star. GERO GERO!

2. Say no to dairy!

Though now I don’t crave cheese, ice cream or milk, I am aware of how much my students love cheese, ice cream, and milk, but they can cause excess mucus production which can lead to a stuffy nose and a clogged-up voice. So, if you want to keep your voice clear, try switching to non-dairy alternatives like almond milk or soy milk. Who knows, maybe your voice will sound so good that you'll even hit the high notes in "Let It Go" without breaking a sweat. I personally recommend experimenting with dairy to see how your voice reacts. I understand how difficult it can be for some of singers in Indian households. Say milk is bad and you’ll probably get a flying chappal from your mum!

3. Watch out for very spicy foods (or risk sounding like a fire-breathing dragon)

Now. this is one point that even I need to implement in my life as I love for spicy food. To the point where I have successfully completed, “One chip challenge” and have been eating Samyang 3X spicy ramen to show off my spice tolerance. Eating spicy foods like hot peppers, curry, and even some types of salsa can cause acid reflux and irritation in your throat, making it harder to hit those high notes properly. So, unless you want to sound like a fire-breathing dragon on stage, it's best to stick to milder foods before a performance. If you succeed, give me some motivation too!

4. Avoid caffeine and alcohol (or risk singing like a drunk parrot)

Both caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate your body and dry out your vocal cords, making your voice sound hoarse and strained. And let's be honest, nobody wants to sound like a drunk parrot on stage. Caffeine and alcohol are two things which when controlled resulted in very positive changes for my voice and for my students. Will discuss the effects of alcohol in more detail in another article.

5. Eat your vitamins (and no, gummy bears don't count)

Foods rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium can help keep your voice healthy and strong. Make sure since on my advice, you have increased your water intake, you also need to replenish your vitamins and minerals, specially the ones that are water soluble and are flushed out of your body every time you hit the toilet. So, make sure to include plenty of fruits, veggies, and lean proteins in your diet. And sorry, candies don't count as a fruit!

6. No smoking (unless you want to sound like Darth Vader)

I mean if it wasn’t obvious, smoking can cause serious damage to your vocal cords, making it harder to sing and even speak. Some vocalists have lost their entire careers to their smoking habits. So, unless you want to sound like Darth Vader, it's best to avoid smoking altogether.

Conclusion:

There you have it, young Padawans. Follow these tips, and you'll be on your way to singing like a pro soon. And who knows, maybe one day you'll even have a record deal (or at least impress your crush on date-night!).

Just remember, what you eat can have a huge impact on your voice, so choose your meals wisely. I’ll be discussing a lot of nutritional and health related topics in relation to your voice here. So remember to follow and stay up to date. And in case, you slip up and eat something that's not great for your vocal cords, don't worry. You can always blame it on the food and say your voice is just a little "husky" tonight. Singing is all about having fun and expressing yourself, so don't take it too seriously. Maybe your unique voice will be what makes you stand out from the crowd. So, keep practicing, keep eating healthy, and keep on singing! This was Eternalramblings, over and out!