You Sing what you Eat

I remember growing up with the saying,”You are what you eat.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. However, today that saying has changed for me. Now it goes, ” You sing what you eat.” I have found that the food I choose to eat has a direct impact on the way my voice sounds, my ability to produce a quality focused sound, and the clarity of my sound.

Our body has more than 50 million cells in it. Each cell is affected by the food we put into our mouths. The throat is the center of expression and everything about our line of work ends up relying on the throat and it’s health. Our diet is the first place we can begin to help our throat and voice produce the best sound possible and stay healthy.

The main element in controlling all disease and health is maintaining a balanced acid-alkaline state in the body. When this balance is maintained, the body and most importantly the voice, is functioning at it’s peak levels. We feel stronger, have more energy, have a clear head for focus, and are not in a constant state of dis-ease.

Generally speaking, acidic substances tighten; and alkaline substances relax. We want to be in an overall relaxed state when singing or presenting. Things begin to “happen” when we are overly acidic or to tight. Common disorders that occur regularly due to an over acid body can include: poor circulation, back pain, acid reflux, muscle tightness, gout, moodiness, mucus buildup, anxiety, ADD, cancer and the list goes on.

Just by simply changing the foods you eat, you can find a whole new voice. I suggest starting with the basics. Get rid of the most common acidic “foods” in your diet first: Caffeine, coffee, processed meats and carbonated beverages; and start drinking more water. According to Dr. Aundrea Adams of the International Institute of Holistic Healing, ” carbonated beverages are so acidic that it actually takes 30 cups of water to neutralize the acid in one canned soda.”

Optimally we want our bodies to have a pH level of 7.0. At this level our cells are energized, we are highly oxygenated and our immune system is at it’s strongest. One of the most effective ways you can monitor your acidic/alkaline balance is through urine testing, first thing in the morning using pH testing tape. These strips may be purchased at any health food store or online. You may also test your levels with your saliva. The goal is to get yourself to a balanced state resulting in a pH level of 7.0. This is done by eating a diet that is 80% alkaline and 20% acidic.

For a very good source of these types of foods go to this website:

http://www.essense-of-life.com/moreinfo/foodcharts.htm.

Here you will be able to start to begin your journey toward a better state of health and body resulting in a stronger, clearer, healthier voice and career.
In conclusion, if the body is overly acidic, the body throat and voice are going to have to work two or three times as hard just to get the sound up and out. Not to mention the excess of mucus and sickness that comes with it. Why put so much pressure on yourself when you could simply change a few key foods in your diet and begin having more energy and a better sound which will ultimately result in you feeling better and experiencing more joy at what you do.

As always I wish you the best on your journey to Superior Vocal Health.