Question
My daughter is currently five years old and has been diagnosed with tonsillitis, accompanied by high fever and severe coughing. She has almost no appetite due to swallowing pain. In such a situation, how should we adjust her diet to help her recover?
Answer
When children have tonsillitis and experience a lack of appetite, here are some dietary adjustment suggestions to consider:
- Take your child to the doctor promptly and receive treatment to control the condition.
- Ensure your child consumes enough fluids, such as water, juice, or electrolyte drinks.
- Offer soft or liquid foods like porridge, soup, pudding, yogurt, or ice cream, which are easy to swallow and do not irritate the throat.
- Encourage your child to eat more vegetables and fruits, as they are rich in vitamins that can boost immunity. Particularly, fruits like pears, which are cool in nature, have effects of reducing fever, soothing the throat, resolving phlegm, and relieving pain. They can alleviate throat discomfort caused by tonsillitis.
- Avoid spicy, greasy, or irritating foods, as these may worsen throat discomfort.
- Help your child develop good eating habits, encourage them to eat in a healthy and hygienic environment, and avoid picky eating or selective eating.
- If your child experiences persistent vomiting or diarrhea, seek medical help immediately.