Question
I have a seven-year-old boy at home who has been complaining of a sore throat, with difficulty swallowing, and a slightly elevated body temperature. What dietary restrictions should be observed when a child has tonsillitis?
Answer
When a child is suffering from tonsillitis, in addition to timely treatment, their diet should be carefully considered to help alleviate symptoms and accelerate recovery. Here are some dietary suggestions for children with tonsillitis:
- Consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables: Vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins and trace elements, not only are they light and easy to digest but also help boost the child’s immunity. It is recommended to choose foods such as pears, apples, green vegetables, cabbage, and tomatoes.
- Offer easily digestible foods: Provide softer, thinner foods like congee or soft noodles to avoid irritating the throat and increasing swallowing difficulties.
- Drink plenty of plain water: Adequate hydration can help maintain the child’s body fluid balance and promote recovery.
- Avoid irritants: Reduce the consumption of irritants such as beef, mutton, dog meat, and seafood should be eaten in moderation or not at all.
- Cultivate good eating habits: Help children develop good eating habits, avoid picky eating and selective eating, ensure balanced nutrition, and reduce the incidence rate of tonsillitis.