How often do you eat before a performance?
What sort of food do you put into the digestive system, before you are about to sing?
There are certain rules you need to put into place before you begin to sing.
Firstly, try to eat 2 or 3 hours before a performance so that your food has time to digest.
To control acid levels that can play havoc with your voice, drink lots of water which will help to neutralize acid.
Foods To Avoid…
Chilli, spicy or hot foods such as Chinese and Thai food, or any food with curry or hot spices.
Cheese, milk and dairy can all contribute to acid reflux as well as mucus in vocal cords.
Wheat and wheat products, many breads and cereals can sometimes be too hard to digest before a performance.
Sweets and lollies with glucose sugars and sweeteners all contribute to acid reflux.
Keeping your body as alkaline as possible with bi carbonate of soda is a great idea.
Herbalists often recommend “Slippery Elm Powder” which comes as capsules or powder which you mix in water, is a great way to control reflux in a very gentle way. I personally find this herb the most healing medicine I have used with no nasty side effects.
Acid reflux can be very damaging to a singer. When it gets so far up the digestive tract out of the stomach, it is very hot. You can imagine how scorched and dry vocal cords become with repeated episodes of reflux.
You may be wondering why you have lost your voice, or where your power is gone and sometimes reflux can be the cause. If you think this is the case, visit your doctor to check it out.
Also, check out my “10 Essential Lessons For Easy Singing” on my website www.voiceology.com.au
Till next week,
Happy singing everyone,
Marion
