Question
A 7-year-old boy, in elementary school, initially complained of a sore throat, accompanied by a slight cough, and now has a persistent high fever. What dietary matters should be observed for children with swallowing difficulties due to tonsillitis?
Answer
During the treatment of tonsillitis in children, it is first important to maintain a light diet. It is recommended to consume more vegetables and fruits, as they are rich in nutrients that can effectively boost the child’s immunity. For example, pears are cooling and have the effects of reducing fever, soothing the throat, resolving phlegm, and relieving pain, which can alleviate the symptoms of acute tonsillitis. It is also suggested to choose easily digestible foods; cooking porridge or softening noodles are suitable options for children during treatment. It is advisable to avoid giving children foods like beef, mutton, poultry eggs, and seafood at this stage. Of course, this also includes spicy dishes like spicy hotpot. In addition to proper diet, it is important not to be picky or biased in eating habits to prevent nutritional deficiencies and weakened immunity that could lead to recurrence.