Question
A 12-year-old boy was recently diagnosed with tonsillitis and often cries and is restless. What dietary principles should be followed to help him recover and alleviate discomfort?
Answer
When a child has tonsillitis, it is recommended to follow the following dietary principles to help alleviate symptoms and promote recovery:
- Light Diet: Daily meals should primarily be light, with an emphasis on vegetables and fruits. Fruits have a cooling and detoxifying effect, are rich in vitamins, and can boost immunity. Particularly, pears have the effects of reducing fever, soothing the throat, resolving phlegm, and relieving pain, which can help alleviate throat discomfort caused by acute tonsillitis.
- Easy to Swallow and Digest: Choose foods that are easy to swallow and digest, such as congee, to make eating more comfortable for the child.
- Avoid Irritants: Try to avoid feeding the child foods such as beef, mutton, dog meat, and seafood, as these may exacerbate tonsillitis symptoms.
- Balanced Nutrition: Help the child develop good eating habits, avoiding picky eating and selective eating. Balanced nutrition intake can ensure that the child receives comprehensive nutrition and reduce the incidence of tonsillitis.