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What Food Can I Give My Kid After His Tonsillectomy?

After a tonsillectomy, most patients experience some amount of throat pain. For this reason, a diet of soft and liquid foods is usually best for about 5 to 10 days after surgery. Many patients lose weight because of the change in diet.

  1. Liquids

    • Liquids are a crucial component of a post-tonsillectomy diet to prevent dehydration. Broths and thin soup in addition to water and juice will help give your child a full feeling when eating a regular diet is not possible. Avoid citrus like orange juice because the acidity will burn in the child's throat.

    Soft Foods

    • Soft foods will make up the bulk of your child's post-tonsillectomy diet. Yogurt, pudding, jello, ice cream, milk shakes and frozen slush drinks are all acceptable. Cold or warm foods are both fine.

    Solid Foods

    • It is alright for your child to eat solid food but, generally speaking, he probably won't want to due to throat pain. The softer the food, the more comfortable it will be, so you may want to start feeding solid foods slowly, beginning on the softer side with something like mashed potatoes to see how it goes. Spicy, sour or excessively salty foods should be avoided due to throat discomfort.

    Crunchy or Brittle Foods

    • Brittle, sharp or crunchy foods like chips should be avoided until healing is complete, which can take 2 to 3 weeks.

    Gum

    • While not technically a food, chewing gum stimulates saliva that can be beneficial to the healing process. Chewing gum may also be a satisfying alternative when snacking is too uncomfortable.

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