Question

A 9-year-old girl has tonsillitis, lacks appetite, has difficulty swallowing, and has symptoms of fever. Besides medical treatment, how can you help her adjust her diet to make her willing to eat and avoid exacerbating the condition?

Answer

When a child exhibits symptoms of tonsillitis, it’s important to not only seek immediate medical treatment but also pay attention to their daily diet.

  • Consume more vegetables and fruits: Vegetables and fruits are rich in various vitamins and minerals that help boost the child’s immunity. For instance, the peel of tangerines is high in vitamin C, which has good anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Choose easily digestible foods: When a child with tonsillitis lacks appetite, it’s advisable to start with easily digestible foods like congee or noodles to encourage eating.
  • Drink plenty of water: In addition to eating, ensure the child drinks plenty of water to aid digestion and detoxification.
  • Avoid trigger foods: Reduce or avoid feeding the child foods like lamb and dog meat to prevent throat irritation and worsening of the condition.
  • Develop good eating habits: Help children develop good eating habits, avoiding picky eating and selective eating, ensuring they receive a balanced and comprehensive nutrition intake, thus reducing the incidence of tonsillitis.