Question
A 5-year-old girl is suffering from a sore throat and severe cough, suspected of having tonsillitis and persistent low fever. How should the diet be adjusted to promote recovery?
Answer
When a child has tonsillitis, it is recommended to adjust the diet to a light and easy-to-digest menu. More vegetables and fruits should be consumed to supplement vitamins and trace elements, which can enhance immunity and promote recovery. For instance, pears have the effects of fever-reducing, throat-soothing, expectorant, and pain-relieving properties, which can alleviate the discomfort caused by acute tonsillitis. The daily diet should mainly consist of easy-to-swallow and easy-to-digest foods such as congee and noodles. Additionally, drinking plenty of plain water is encouraged, while avoiding foods like beef, mutton, dog meat, and seafood should be minimized. It is also important to cultivate good living habits in children, including healthy eating, early to bed and early to rise, and moderate exercise.