Question
A five-year-old girl is showing symptoms of tonsillitis, with painful swallowing, severe coughing, and low-grade fever. While receiving treatment, she would like to know what dietary precautions should be taken to alleviate her discomfort.
Answer
When children are diagnosed with tonsillitis, in addition to timely medical treatment, adjusting the diet can also play a supportive role. Here are some food suggestions for the child:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables: Besides being light and non-irritating, fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients that can strengthen the child’s immunity. For example, pears have the effects of reducing fever, soothing the throat, resolving phlegm, and relieving pain, which can alleviate throat discomfort caused by acute tonsillitis.
- Easily digestible foods: Offer soups that are well-thinned and soft noodles that are easy for the child to swallow, which can reduce the burden on the digestive system. At the same time, avoid feeding the child irritants that may worsen symptoms, such as beef, mutton, dog meat, and seafood. Moreover, cultivating good habits in children is also important. In addition to healthy eating, early to bed and early to rise, and moderate exercise can help strengthen their resistance to diseases.