Some foods and drinks can soothe your throat such as water, herbal teas and soft fruit and typically avoiding spicy and acidic foods, fizzy drinks and alcohol.
Whether you are nursing a sore throat or protecting your singing voice, sticking to soft foods, warm drinks and water-rich foods can feel comfortable when your throat is soar.
For people with reflux-related voice problems, avoiding trigger foods can be just as important as choosing soothing ones.
Key Takeaways
- Water is one of the best choices for keeping your throat and vocal folds moist.
- Soft, gentle foods can be easier to eat when your throat feels irritated.
- If reflux affects your voice, reducing spicy, acidic and fatty foods may help.
List of Food and Drinks That Help Sooth a Throat
- Ginger
- Honey
- Warm water
- Herbal tea
- Warm lemon and honey
- Soup
- Broth
- Porridge
- Yoghurt
- Bananas
- Smoothies
- Ice lollies
- Ice chips
- Mashed potato
Foods and drinks to avoid
- Very spicy foods
- Very acidic foods
- Alcohol
- Caffeinated drinks
- Fizzy drinks
- Very hot drinks
- Dry, crunchy foods
- Very salty foods
- Highly fatty or greasy meals
- Chocolate
- Coffee
Water
Water is the simplest choice for a dry or tired throat. Your vocal folds need moisture to work properly, so regular drinks can help prevent dryness.
Cambridge University Hospitals advises aiming for around two litres of fluid a day as part of good voice care, although individual needs vary.
You do not have to drink large amounts at once. Taking regular sips throughout the day can be more comfortable.
Very hot drinks are best avoided if your throat is already irritated. Lukewarm or comfortably warm drinks may feel more soothing.
Warm herbal tea
A warm herbal drink can be a comforting choice when your throat feels dry or scratchy. It also adds to your daily fluid intake.
Herbal teas without caffeine such as green tea, chamomile tea and honey and lemon tea may be preferable if caffeine seems to make your throat feel dry or if you are trying to manage reflux.
The drink does not need to contain special ingredients to be useful. The warmth and hydration may be enough to make your throat feel more comfortable.
Honey can also be added to a warm drink for adults and children over one year old. The NHS notes that hot lemon and honey can have a similar effect to some cough syrups, although evidence for these remedies is limited.
Bananas and other soft fruits
Soft fruits such as bananas can be easy to eat when your throat is uncomfortable. They are also a source of fluid and nutrients.
Other fruits can be suitable too, but acidic fruits such as oranges and grapefruit may not feel comfortable for everyone.
This is particularly important if you have acid reflux. Citrus fruits and juices can trigger reflux symptoms in some people.
If fruit causes burning or makes your throat feel worse, choose a less acidic option instead.
Oatmeal and soft foods
Soft foods such as porridge can be easier on an irritated throat than dry, crunchy foods.
Oatmeal can also be made with milk or a suitable alternative to give it a smooth texture. Let it cool to a comfortable temperature before eating.
The aim is not to find a magical voice food. Instead, choose foods that are comfortable to swallow and do not make your symptoms worse.
What foods should I avoid to protect my voice?
If your voice problems are caused by reflux, some foods can make symptoms worse. Spicy foods, acidic foods, fatty meals, chocolate, coffee, alcohol and fizzy drinks are common examples.
This does not mean everyone needs to remove all of these foods from their diet. Your own triggers are important.
Dairy does not need to be completely avoided either. Some people notice thicker mucus after eating a lot of dairy, but dairy foods can still provide useful nutrients.
See also: Treatment for voice disorders
Can food really relax my voice?
Food cannot directly relax your vocal cords in the same way that rest can. Good hydration, sensible eating and avoiding irritation can, however, create better conditions for your voice to recover.
Try to drink regularly, avoid shouting and give your voice breaks when it feels tired.
If hoarseness lasts, keeps returning or comes with pain, difficulty swallowing or breathing problems, speak to a GP and Throat Specialist. Persistent voice changes may need assessment to find the cause.
A healthy voice usually needs more than a particular food. Think of hydration, gentle foods, good voice habits and reflux control as parts of the same routine.
