Question

An eight-year-old girl is experiencing a sore throat, hoarseness, and low-grade fever, suspected of having tonsillitis. What should be paid attention to in terms of diet?

Answer

When a child has tonsillitis, in addition to timely medical treatment, appropriate dietary care can also help improve the condition. Here are some suggestions:

  • Consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and trace elements, are light and easy to digest, and can help reduce fever, moisten the throat, thin phlegm, and relieve pain. For example, pears are cooling and have the effect of moistening the throat and thinning phlegm, which can alleviate throat discomfort caused by acute tonsillitis.
  • Choose easily digestible foods: Provide congee, soft noodles, and dumpling wrappers that are easy to chew and digest to reduce throat irritation and discomfort.
  • Drink plenty of plain water: Adequate water intake helps relieve throat dryness and expel phlegm.
  • Avoid consuming irritants: Seafood, dog meat, and other irritants can easily cause heat and allergies; they should be avoided as much as possible.
  • Cultivate good eating habits: Help children develop habits of not being picky or biased in their eating to ensure balanced nutrition intake, enhance immunity, and reduce the incidence of tonsillitis.