What you eat significantly affects how you sing. And that's because your voice isn't separate from the rest of your body—it's all one system. Every part affects every other part. So if you want a great singing voice, what you eat is absolutely going to matter.
In this article, I'm going to answer nine critical questions about diet and singing, based on my 40+ years as a singer and vocal coach, and from working with thousands of students. But before we dive in...
...I need to clarify, I'm not a medical professional. Think of this instead as a compilation of learnings about health and diet from personal experience and from working with countless singers.
Absolutely. Your voice isn't separate from the rest of your body. It's all one system. Every part affects every other part.
So many physical problems people experience today—and this is very true of singing problems too—stem from the fact that we have started to view the body in isolation. We don't understand that if you tweak this part, it's going to affect that part. And this leads to huge problems.
So if you want a great singing voice, what you eat is absolutely going to affect that.
Garbage in, garbage out.
No. I'm not vegan, and I don't expect you to be either.
In general, I would say the closer you can stay to a plant-based diet, the better your voice will perform. But that doesn't mean never eating meat or dairy. I still enjoy a good steak or pizza sometimes. The key is understanding the effects different foods have on your voice and making informed choices.
Two books I recommend if you want to learn more: "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman and "Forks Over Knives." Both offer practical approaches without being extreme.
In my experience, dairy products are the biggest culprits. Cheese, milk, and even yogurt can create mucus that coats your vocal cords.
Many singers don't realize how much clearer their voice could sound until they cut back on dairy.
Heavy, fatty foods can also be problematic, especially right before singing or before bed (more on timing in a moment).
One of the most common mistakes I see is singers eating too close to performance time.
I've had students tell me, "Ken, when I eat 20 minutes before I sing, I feel like I'm going to throw up." And not to be sassy but… yes, that's what happens when you do that :-)
Give yourself at least 1-1.5 hours between eating and singing. You need fuel to perform, but you also need time to digest that fuel.
The problem with alcohol is that it dries out your vocal cords. That's just a physiological fact.
I'm not saying you can never have a drink. But if you do, you need to compensate by drinking extra water to rehydrate your vocal cords.
The same goes for carbonated beverages, which can cause acid buildup and make you burp while singing (not ideal).
Absolutely. This is why I recommend not eating big, fatty meals (especially meat dishes) before bed.
When you lie down with a stomach full of hard-to-digest food, acid can travel up into your throat and literally eat away at your vocal cords while you sleep.
This damage accumulates over time, and many singers never connect their vocal issues to their late-night eating habits.
Yes it does. Again, your voice doesn't exist in isolation. Your overall fitness affects how well you can support your sound.
Regular movement—walking, swimming, biking, hiking—improves blood flow and strengthens your core, which directly impacts your singing.
You don't need to become a gym rat, but some form of regular exercise will definitely improve your vocal performance.
I try to eat mostly plant-based foods, but I'm not strict about it. I still enjoy meat and other foods in moderation.
On performance days, I'm more careful. I eat lighter meals, avoid dairy, and make sure to finish eating at least 1.5 hours before I need to sing.
I also drink plenty of water throughout the day and try to limit alcohol and carbonated beverages.
If you only make one change, I'd say try reducing dairy consumption, especially before singing.
The difference in how clear your voice sounds can be dramatic, often within just a few days.
Remember, you don't have to be perfect. Even small improvements to how you fuel your body can make a noticeable difference in your singing.
To your singing,
-Ken Tamplin
