Question
My daughter is only three months old, and I recently noticed that she seems to have difficulty swallowing, her throat seems a bit sore, and she’s been running a fever. After being diagnosed with tonsillitis, how should I adjust her diet to aid recovery and prevent recurrence?
Answer
When children suffer from tonsillitis, diet should be given special attention in addition to medical treatment. Here are the dietary precautions that should be taken by children with tonsillitis:
- Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables: It is recommended to consume more fruits and vegetables, as they are not only light and non-irritating but also rich in various nutrients that help boost immunity against diseases. For example, the peel of tangerines is rich in vitamin C and has good anti-inflammatory properties.
- Choose easy-to-swallow and easy-to-digest foods: Provide softer, more mushy foods like noodles and porridge that are easy to swallow and digest, to avoid stimulate the throat and ensure that children can absorb enough nutrition.
- Avoid irritating food: Do not let children consume stimulating or spicy foods and drinks, as these may irritate the throat and worsen symptoms.
- Avoid picky eating: Ensure that children have a balanced diet to avoid picky eating, which helps in obtaining enough nutrition. This aids in maintaining the child’s immunity and prevents recurrence of diseases. In summary, when treating children with tonsillitis, diet plays a crucial role alongside medical treatment. Eating more fruits and vegetables, choosing soft and easily digestible foods, avoiding irritating food, and preventing picky eating are all important aspects to consider.