What foods should you avoid before going on the air or recording a narration? Some may be obvious (peanut butter, anyone?) but there’s a whole list of other “no-nos” in Ann Utterback’s latest voice update.
1) Dairy Products. Ann tells her clients to avoid milk and other dairy products for an hour or so before voicing. That’s because dairy can create mucous, which means you might have to clear your throat just when you don’t want to.
2) Excessive Caffeine. A little caffeine isn’t bad, Ann says, because it can increase focus and energy. Too much, though, can cause the shakes. Ann’s advice: consume no more than 200 milligrams or so caffeine a day. You’d get that in one 16 oz. cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee.
3) Too Much Sugar. Consuming a lot will make your energy drop about 20 minutes later, Ann says. “A sugar rush can take your energy away and make you feel more fatigued.”
4) Too Much Alcohol. Of course you wouldn’t drink just before going on the air–the days of whiskey bottles in the newsroom are long gone. But what if you drink a little too much the night before? That can dehydrate your body and your throat the next day, Ann says. Not good.
5) Nuts, Peanut Butter, and Crackers. These can have a similar effect to milk, forcing you to clear your throat or cough, so Ann advises avoiding them around air time.
Be sure to check Ann’s website for more voice tips.
