Question
My daughter is 6 years old and has recently started experiencing a sore throat and a slight fever, and her voice has become hoarse. During the treatment period, how should we adjust her diet to help alleviate the sore throat and promote recovery?
Answer
When a child has tonsillitis, it is recommended to pay attention to the following dietary points to help alleviate symptoms and promote recovery:
- Light Diet: Focus on light, easy-to-digest foods such as congee and soft noodles. Avoid greasy and spicy foods, which may irritate the throat and worsen discomfort.
- Increase Fruits and Vegetables: Vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins that can boost the child’s immunity and help improve symptoms. Choices like pears, apples, oranges, and kiwis are good options.
- Avoid Allergenic Foods: Foods like beef, mutton, dog meat, and seafood may exacerbate the symptoms of tonsillitis, so they should be avoided as much as possible.
- Adequate Fluid Intake: Encourage the child to drink plenty of water or warm beverages such as honeysuckle tea or chrysanthemum tea to moisten the throat and relieve inflammation.
- Soft Foods: Choose soft, easy-to-swallow foods such as steamed eggs, tofu, and fish slices. Avoid hard and irritating foods like nuts and potato chips.
- Avoid Cold Foods: Cold foods and drinks may irritate the throat and worsen inflammatory symptoms, so they should be avoided as much as possible. In addition to dietary adjustments, it is also important to follow the doctor’s instructions for appropriate medication treatment and to keep the child’s throat moist and clean. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention promptly.