What foods are good beore singing?

What foods are good beore singing?
This is perhaps a deeper question than it first appears. Generallyspeaking, good singing technique (i.e., proper breath support,understanding of resonance, etc.) will get you through mostproblems. If the vocal folds are swollen due to over use orillness, vocal rest is best. If the voice is over-used, phlegm willbuild up to protect the vocal folds. If you have spent the wholeday talking, as in teaching classes, or (God forbid!) were yellingin an argument, such phlegm is meant to help protect the mechanism.In this case, time and rest are important. Phlegm arising fromspicy foods and milk products (personally, I notice it after fattyand greasy meats) is not ideal, but with proper "bel canto"technique and one or two good throat clearing egh-hems (don'toverdo!), it should be okay.

Now to your question: Anything that hydrates the body is good.Think water, coconut milk... This has the added benefit of makingyour mucous more fluid. You want something that will stay with youover time and give you energy, so protein is essential. Somecomplex carbohydrates too, but not so much as to lead to "foodcoma". I often eat salmon a few hours before a performance -- eggsare good, too. Don't eat anything that will make you need to usethe restroom while you are on stage! Depending on your situation,caffeine products may help (alertness) or hinder (extra nerves).Anything with potassium is good to settle nerves (bananas, coconutmilk, supplements); also I like B-vitamin complexes to stay rooted.

As a general principle, be healthy and it will help your singing!Exercise more, drink less alcohol, drink water and juice, etc.

All in all, trust your technique! Good breathing, relaxed jaw andtongue, thinking about the music and expression... all good stuff!