Food and Performing

Similar to the "Sports" section, the proper food and drink for performers is generally whatever is healthiest. Sure, we like to indulge, but in order to keep our bodies running at peak efficiency, we need to be in good shape. Unfortunately (and I'm going to have to pick on the dancers more on this one, sorry guys), many performers don't realize that good shape does not always mean ridiculously skinny, and in order to stay sharp and energized, a proper nutrition is needed. Starving oneself will only lead to problems, trust me.

Instead of walking you all through the food pyramid and explaining what a well-balanced, healthy diet is, I will point out some trends in the world of a performer that might provide some insight into what we tend to eat or drink. If it isn't abundantly clear by now, the large portion of singers and dancers are a bit on the arrogant side, and will typically dine at establishments becoming of such. Starbucks has always been a huge hit, but so has Chipotle, Pret a Manger, and Cosi's. Not only are these alternative healthier than their fast-food counterparts like McDonald's and White Castle, but they cost more, and that makes us feel like we're eating better.

Most singers value their voices too much to drink tap water, even if filtered, so you'll most often see our breed with an Evian or Dasani water bottle in hand. If we are carrying a larger water container, don't be fooled: it could just as easily be bottled water poured into a bigger tube. Water is extremely important to a singer, even on off-periods of no singing, because it keeps one's system clear and is great for the throat. In addition, hot tea and coffee are much-loved, as much for the warming sensation as for the caffeine. While we know it is best to steer clear of alcohol, most of us are lushes and cannot resist a few drinks (or several) after a promising opening night or a tiring late-night rehearsal.

When it gets closer to performance time (and again this is geared more towards the singers), there are certain products to stay away from. Anything dairy can threaten to clog the throat, making it difficult to produce a clear quality of sound. Milk is especially bad, but pizza, cheese, or chocolate is never a good idea. Also, anything extra-thick, like peanut butter, is a huge no-no. It is actually recommended that a singer not eat these products for at least 24 hours before a big performance, or even a small performance. Pastas and grains are a great source of energy and are a perfect pre-show meal, but don't overdo it. Anything too heavy will weigh you down in a show; same goes for dancers, and maybe even more so. A light yet satisfying meal is the way to go. Drinking a lot of tea and orange juice is the best thing to do, as well as good old H2O of course...Same as what people drink when they're sick to treat their throats.

Let's turn our attention to the often regrettable eating habits of most dancers. In addition to chain-smoking, many dancers feel that the best way to keep looking thin and sexy is to starve, leading to a lot of anorexic or bulimic dancers. Of course, this is a terrible thing to do, and a sad truth. Many dancers substitute a healthy diet for caffeine right before a show and a few cigarettes to relax them, instead of relying upon endorphins from exercise and good food. This is obviously a generalization, but stereotypes must be addressed if anyone is going to assess the problem here. There is, unfortunately, way too much emphasis placed on a dancer's body being frighteningly skinny, because it makes them lighter and easier to lift, and often more balanced and graceful. Yet what one gains in grace, one loses in strength, which, believe it or not, is more important to a dancer than it is to many other athletes.

A large number of performers are constantly on some form of diet, from Atkins to Jenny Craig to Weight Watchers to Anorexia, and tend to live a highly active lifestyle. There is no tried and true diet that works for everyone, although Weight Watchers is possibly the most popular, as it lets you eat what you want when you want, just in smaller doses. This way, a person does not feel as much that he/she is on an actual diet. Atkins is a poor choice because, as mentioned before, carbs are essential to a performer's regimen. Dairy and sugars, while bad right before a show, should still make their way into a diet no matter who you are, just in lesser quantities. Keeping track of how much you eat is the best way to ensure that you will not stuff yourself at a meal or starve yourself for days at a time. While it is important for a vocalist or a dancer to be in good shape, it is more important to eat the right things and stay active, in order to lead a healthy, happy lifestyle.