Before the Big Presentation: What to Eat, Drink & Avoid for a Stronger Voice

How you treat your voice before a presentation or performance plays an important role in ensuring you’re comfortable and ready to go.  Here are a few easy basics to keep in mind.

Eat

• If there are foods that make you phlegmy, don’t eat them for 24 hours before.

• If there are foods that give you heartburn, don’t eat them for 24 hours before.

• Take time to eat slowly and digest.

• Overeating leaves you too full for the air you need.  Undereating leaves you under- energized.  Get to know your metabolism and figure out how much of what food to eat that day.  For instance, if you have a slow metabolism, try a hard-boiled egg and some fruit for long-term and short-term calories that don’t take up much belly space.  If you have a fast metabolism, eat a lot of protein and pack a snack!

Drink

• Drink water!

• For extra lubricant in your water, add cucumber.

Avoid

• Avoid screaming or whispering at least beginning the day before the presentation.

Nothing replaces preparation, practice, and vocal warm-ups, but these tips will help get your voice ready to go!