The last thing you need to worry about before your presentation or your speech is the need to constantly clear your throat.
Because many dairy products produce excessive phlegm, it would a good choice to ignore your routine cereal if you are speaking early in the morning, to pass on the yogurt dressing if it is a lunchtime engagement and to forget the ice cream if you are the after dinner speaker.
While many doctors of otolaryngology will tell you that clearing your throat is harmful to your vocal folds (cords), they will advise you to swallow hard in order to get rid of extra mucus.
I have yet to find that agreeable, beneficial or workable.
Standing in front of your audience trying to swallow hard to eliminate the phlegm is definitely not the answer.
The best idea is to avoid all of those foods that are going to produce the mucus in the first place which also includes sodas.
Sodas do not quench your thirst.
In truth, the sugar in the soda makes you thirstier.
My advice is to stick to water, which is at room temperature, or an unsweetened fruit juice for a clear throat.
Something else to avoid before speaking is eating a full meal.
Great athletes, performers and musicians do not eat before performing.
They go out after their performance or their game and eat then, but not beforehand.
Standing on a stage with a full belly is not going to help your nerves or possibly your other bodily functions.
You have enough to worry about in pubic speaking.
Feeling gassy, needing to use a bathroom, or having extra phlegm in your throat should not be a concern when you have been invited to deliver a dynamic presentation.
If your speaking engagement involves a meal, eat lightly, stick to water, and get up from the table feeling like you could eat more.
[Actually, this is wonderful advice whether you are public speaking or not; and, it is something I learned from my mother.
] While you are not required to attend the meal prior to your speaking engagement, doing so can be very beneficial.
Because you will get to know some of those in the audience a bit better, you may notice a greater comfort level when you stand to speak.
In addition, I was able to change my opening for one presentation because my audience had proceeded to drink quite heavily during the dinner.
Seeing their boisterous attitude while partaking of the meal, I realized that my intended opening remarks would not be of interest, so I opened my presentation with a joke and had their attention immediately.
Much can be said for dining with those to whom you will be speaking.
The choice however is yours.
If you eat, eat lightly; avoid milk and other dairy products, and forget dessert!