What an opera singer puts on his plate each day

Opera singer Haotian Qi, 30, shares his day on a plate.

9am After walking my dog for 30 minutes, breakfast is Chinese egg noodle served in light soy sauce-based soup, two boiled eggs and boiled Chinese cabbage. I follow it with Chinese jasmine tea and work on my score for two hours.

1.30pm A chicken schnitzel sandwich and a large latte, then a short nap before leaving home.

5.30pm I snack on banana bread and warm water with honey ahead of my performance of La Bohème. No more eating as I head to the make-up and costume room, and warm up my voice.

8.30pm At the interval I have a dark chocolate bar for energy.

Dr Joanna McMillan says:

Top marks for … Using honey before warming up your voice. It has anti-bacterial qualities and there is scientific evidence to support its use as a throat soother. Points too for choosing dark chocolate. This has high levels of antioxidants and less sugar than milk.

If you keep eating like this you’ll … Fall short on several nutrients, including vitamin C and minerals such as calcium, iron and zinc. Your lack of whole plant foods also means you fall short on antioxidants.

Why don’t you try … Making lunch more substantial on performance days. Swap the sandwich for a stir-fry with meat or seafood and loads of vegies, served with brown rice or buckwheat noodles for fibre. Snack on fruit, yoghurt and nuts.

Haotian Qi is a principal singer with Opera Australia and on tour nationally in The Barber of Seville from July.

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