Water bound to food molecules will be processed by the body at a molecular level and hydrate us faster than a simple glass of water which will just as quickly be eliminated instead of used by the body. So: excess drinking water will be urinated away. Water found in salient mineral water, and high water content fruits and vegetables will processed and used for hydration. Does this mean we should skip drinking water? Of course not. Your usual 6-8 glasses in addition to any of these on the list will keep you aggressively hydrated when you are sick.
Here are some high water content fruits, vegetables and beverages for you to choose from:
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Honeydew Melon
Crenshaw Melon
Juicy berries if they are in season
Cucumbers
Pears- particularly Bartlett
Apples- any
Peaches
Plums
Tomatoes-fresh only
Chicken consommé
Vegetable broth
Beef consommé
Romaine Lettuce- or any hard veined watery lettuce
Celery
FRESHLY SQUEEZED TO ORDER JUICES FROM ANY REPUTABLE JUICE BAR {nothing cooked, heated or pasteurized}
Citrus- though this is can be astringent which might be good if you find you have too much mucus and you are expectorating a lot.
Sports Drinks in moderation help with dry throat! Try sipping on Gatorade to see what a nice, slippery throat you are left with.
Thayer’s Natural Home Remedies http://www.thayers.com --their famous slippery elm lozenges have helped singers naturally since they opened in Cambridge Massachusetts in 1847. Surf their site to see the other great things they have to offer for the healthy singer.
Mineral water- not spring water, but mineral water like Panna or even sparkling like Pellegrino. Here, H2O is bound to salient minerals which the body can absorb more readily than plain water. Italy boasts 585 different brands of mineral water: more than any other country in the entire world. Second runner-up is the UK with 152 brands. There must be a reason why some of the most important voices of this or any century hail from Italy!
Quite simply, if the body finds food or minerals that it might need for fuel, it will process them. If they are bound to H20, then we will be more quickly hydrating ourselves at a molecular level.
Steam- IN MODERATION BECAUSE IT CAN STRIP THE VOICE AND HAVE A DRYING EFFECT IF USED IN EXCESS. A- ONE- hot steamy shower is wonderful if you’re struggling with excessive amounts of mucus. You may also consider a personal steamer for you dressing room table. Vicks makes a relatively inexpensive one and it’s great for when you are on the road as it packs quite neatly in a suitcase. You may also consider the old towel over the head and hot steam bowl as a way to clear a little mucus for yourself.
Got Spit?
You can also creat spit in a pinch by using an old trick. If you have that performance cotton mouth and you are on stage right before your big aria- simply bite down on the sides of your tongue with your molars and this will create a good amount of spit for lubrication in preparation for your big moment. Try it- it never fails.