Show "diets"
Show "diets"
#1Show "diets"
Posted: 5/14/09 at 1:13am
What are the best kinds of foods to eat during the run of a show? I'm doing Seussical right now, hence I will need a lot of energy. Thanks.
ThoroughlyModernMalo
Swing Joined: 5/14/09
#2re: Show 'diets'
Posted: 5/14/09 at 1:26am
My advice would be not to alter your diet too much during the run of the show. If what you were eating throughout rehearsals was keeping your body and voice performance ready, then I would be wary of changing that. If you want to make subtle changes, get enough protein for energy and long-lasting fullness without the high's and low's of sugars and carbs. As always, drink lots of water and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables like everyone should, whether they are in a show or not. Having powerade or gatorade with electrolytes to keep you hydrated is never a bad idea beneath costumes and lights as well.
Please avoid excess caffeine, energy drinks or bars. They are fake energy that will make you crash and can lead to insomnia and or crashing.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2re: Show 'diets'
Posted: 5/14/09 at 6:08am
Pretty good advice ^.
The only thing I would add: don't eat too close to curtain. And hour before should be fine.
As an actor, you will begin to find what works best for you. Some certainly eat very lightly before a performance, others don't worry about it all. You WILL want to eat (healthily) not to long AFTER the performance.
And yes: Water, water, water. (I think it's far superior to Gatorade and such.)
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#3re: Show 'diets'
Posted: 5/14/09 at 7:59am
I wouldn't change to this diet during the show's run, but I became a vegetarian a year ago, and find my energy is lasting longer, i feel better, lost weight and am healthier than before. After this show, you should try cutting meat out of your diet and see how you feel. I'd stick with your current diet or ease out of it slowly as to not "confuse" your body.
And.....SCENE!
#4re: Show 'diets'
Posted: 5/14/09 at 8:19amDitto about not changing your diet and shocking your body, AND about not eating anything heavy too close to curtain time. The food will settle like a rock and, possibly, make you nauseous. I usually do egg whites or peanut butter and bananas on toast before a show, because they give me a huge energy boost. And, yes, drink plenty of water.
"Peace! The charm's wound up."
--Macbeth
#5re: Show 'diets'
Posted: 5/14/09 at 8:59am
yeah, I agree about the protein, and avoiding sugar (healthy sugar - like fruits is great though.)
Here's what I usually do:
Throughout the day, and about an hour before the show make sure you're getting a lot of protein. I love having some rotisserie chicken before a performance. Protein is slow burning energy - meaning that it will sustain you for a while.
In addition, especially on a two show day, I like to have some healthy juice with me backstage that I can sip on - I actually prefer it to something like a sports drink (if you really want electrolites, coconut water is the best thing for you), and sip on it throughout the show, or at intermission. I would suggest something with not a lot of acidity like pineapple juice.
THe juice is a healthy sugar and gives you a quick burst of energy. I also like to have some immediately after a show to keep my blood sugar from crashing.
Madame Morrible: "So you take the chicken, now it must be a white chicken. The corpse can be any color. And that is the spell for lost luggage!" - The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken
Updated On: 5/14/09 at 08:59 AM
bordeaux
Swing Joined: 6/22/07
#6re: Show 'diets'
Posted: 5/14/09 at 10:03amDon't change your diet too much unless your diet was crap -- then change it for sure. First up -- eat breakfast that includes some protein within a couple of hours after you get up, and include some fresh fruit. It's not about just egg whites and coffee. Enough fiber is also inportant -- if you're singing, you don't want a clogged colon pressing up on your diaphragm. Fruits and veggies aren't just fluff food, they're big time important -- right up there with protein but for reasons all their own. Also, remember to drink, and hot liquids are often better than cold ones. One last thing -- forget the junk about dairy foods being bad for your voice, causing mucus, all the like. Milk has a bucket of nutrients and needed calcium and vitamin D. but it's a thicker liquid than water so people get the wrong idea about it. Solution: after your milk/yogurt just chase it with some water to clear your throat. Problem solved, and your bones say thanks. Dancers, pay special attention.
#7re: Show 'diets'
Posted: 5/14/09 at 10:18amI agree about the dairy. I mean, don't eat a greasy cheese pizza, or a stick of butter right before you go onstage, but yogurt for sure!
Madame Morrible: "So you take the chicken, now it must be a white chicken. The corpse can be any color. And that is the spell for lost luggage!" - The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken
#8re: Show 'diets'
Posted: 5/14/09 at 10:29amOnly clear liquids while in costume!! Water or the clear Gatorade Ice or something similar. No one will care how healthy you are if you spill cranberry juice on your costume in the middle of the show!
#9re: Show 'diets'
Posted: 5/14/09 at 5:43pmLOL! True! Be VERY careful! I used to get a low fat (no sherbert) Jamba Juice - VERY hard to spill in those cups.
Madame Morrible: "So you take the chicken, now it must be a white chicken. The corpse can be any color. And that is the spell for lost luggage!" - The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken
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