• Tonsillitis

What Foods to Eat After a Tonsillectomy

If you frequently suffer from tonsillitis, it may be time to consider having your tonsils removed. In fact, your doctor may have already suggested a tonsillectomy.

Every year in the U.S., over 500,000 tonsillectomies are performed, mainly to treat recurrent throat infections and breathing problems.

If you're thinking about getting a tonsillectomy or have just had one, this article will help you understand what foods to eat and what to avoid for a smooth recovery.

Why Can’t You Eat Normally After a Tonsillectomy?

A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing the tonsils, which are organs that help your immune system fight infections. 

Although the tonsils are designed to protect against illness, they can themselves become infected or swollen, leading to severe pain and disruptions in normal breathing. 

When tonsillitis occurs frequently, removing the tonsils may be necessary to alleviate those painful symptoms and avoid the recurring infection.

Like any surgical procedure, a tonsillectomy can result in pain due to the internal cuts and bruises where the tonsils were removed. 

Nociceptive pain, which is the type experienced when you have an external injury, like a cut or a bruise, is similar to the discomfort felt after a surgical procedure like a tonsillectomy was performed. 

Nociceptors – the body’s specialized pain sensors – are activated by various stimuli, including surgical incisions, chemicals released by injured tissue, or extreme temperatures. 

When these nociceptors are triggered, they send pain signals to the brain, alerting you to the injury. This is your body’s natural way of signaling harm and initiating the healing process.

Swelling occurs after an operation because more blood flows to the injury site, carrying nutrients and building blocks necessary for repair. 

The substances that contribute to inflammation and swelling also activate pain receptors. In addition, the chemicals that cause pain also make nociceptors more sensitive to pain — which explains the discomfort felt after a tonsillectomy. 

Solid foods can cause bleeding and irritate inflamed tissues at a surgical site, resulting in pain as the already sensitive nociceptors are more easily triggered. This discomfort often prevents us from eating properly, as pain is a natural deterrent that tells our body which actions to avoid to prevent further injury.

What are the Best Foods to Eat After a Tonsillectomy?

The best foods to eat after a tonsillectomy are soothing foods that help with pain relief, reduce swelling, prevent further injury, and help the body heal and repair itself.

Anesthesia and painkillers used after your tonsillectomy can also lead to constipation, so taking in fluids and foods rich in dietary fiber is crucial. 

Postoperative constipation is also worsened by inactivity from bedrest and reduced overall food intake due to pain, which emphasizes the importance of fiber intake after a tonsillectomy.

Cold foods

Foods that are cold don’t directly help with the healing process after a tonsillectomy, but they can be effective in soothing the pain following surgery — similar to how a cold pack would help after a physical injury.

Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow to the area. This decreases swelling and pain.

Cold beverages

Fluids are crucial to nearly any recovery journey as they help prevent dehydration and keep your body functioning properly. Cold beverages are particularly beneficial after a tonsillectomy because they help you manage pain and keep you hydrated.

Ideally, your cold beverage of choice should be water, and your total fluid intake should be around 4-6 eight-ounce glasses per day. 

The ENT department at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) also recommends Gatorade, fruit punch, and non citrus juices as beneficial sources for your daily fluid intake.

Drinking fluids is generally easier and carries less risk of worsening throat pain, as liquids go down smoothly without scratching your throat. 

Cold desserts

Cold desserts can help with healing and pain management in many ways. 

The cold temperature of certain foods decreases swelling and pain, while their soft texture prevents further injury to the sensitive area at the back of your throat while it’s healing. 

Some delicious examples of desserts to eat during your recovery include: 

• Ice cream/frozen yogurt

• Custard

• Smoothies 

• Pudding 

• Jello-O® 

Protein

Protein is a vital component of the body’s building blocks and it is essential to the healing process. After a tonsillectomy, protein is required to help repair the injured tissue. 

However, care must be taken to choose protein sources that are gentle on the throat. Consider the texture and hardness of your protein options to avoid irritating the surgical site.

Some good sources of animal protein to consume during recovery include eggs or ground beef, fish, or chicken. Plant-based protein includes tofu, peanut butter, or mashed legumes.

Fruits 

Fruits are an excellent source of carbohydrates, which provide the energy needed for the body to repair itself after a tonsillectomy. 

Additionally, fruits don’t contain the unhealthy sugars and excess fats often found in desserts. 

Like other postoperative food choices, your selection of fruits should be based on their texture and hardness to ensure they are gentle and do not worsen throat pain or cause further injury.

Additionally, preparation is important. Fruit that’s cut into angular shapes can hurt the back of the throat. Ideally, fruit should be mashed or pureed when you’re recovering from a tonsillectomy.

Specific fruits to avoid after a tonsillectomy include raw apples, due to their hardness, and citrus fruits, which may sting the back of the throat. 

Opt instead for canned or soft fruits like bananas or melon, which are ideal because of their soft texture which is less likely to irritate the healing area.

The fiber in fruit not only helps with digestion but also softens your stool, preventing constipation — a common side effect of many pain medications used after surgery. 

So before reaching for a bowl of ice cream, consider fiber-rich options like bananas or melon to support your recovery and maintain healthy digestion.

Vegetables

Vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals needed to maintain your health, and these nutrients can help you fight off infections during periods when your body is more vulnerable, such as after surgery. Like fruit, vegetables are a good source of fiber, too. 

Cooked vegetables or mashed potatoes are ideal examples of soft foods to consider post-operation because they are gentle on the throat and easy to swallow. 

Just take care not to add milk or heavy cream to the mashed potatoes if you’re worried about dairy consumption during your recovery.

Grains

Grains can be included in your diet after a tonsillectomy, but the preparation and form of these grains should be taken into account. 

Hard, crunchy grains like those found in crackers or certain breads can have sharp edges that may scratch your throat, so these should be avoided.

Instead, choose soft foods, such as pasta with creamy sauces, rice, or soft bread that can be swallowed easily.

What Foods Should You Avoid after a Tonsillectomy?

Now that you understand the importance of eating soothing foods that won’t irritate your throat during recovery, here’s a list of foods you should avoid post-surgery to ensure a smoother healing process:

• Spicy foods: Avoid foods containing capsaicin, the molecule that makes food spicy. Spicy foods don’t actually involve taste but stimulate pain receptors which can cause significant discomfort at the surgical site.

• Hot foods: Really hot foods should be avoided as they can potentially burn the throat, which is especially sensitive after surgery.

• Red foods: Steer clear of red foods – such as certain soups and candies – as they can be mistaken for blood, which may cause unnecessary alarm.

• Hard or crunchy foods: Avoid foods that are hard or have sharp edges, like chips, crackers, some types of bread, raw carrots, and other crunchy fruits and vegetables, as these can scratch and irritate the throat.

What are Some Additional Tips for Recovering from a Tonsillectomy?

• Avoid excessive coughing or clearing of your throat: These actions can irritate the surgical site.

• Limit strenuous activity: Avoid unnecessary physical activity or straining during the initial days following the operation to prevent complications. The guidelines from UMMC recommend resting at home for the first 48 hours after surgery and returning to work after 10 days. However, everyone’s recovery journey is different so consult your doctor in this regard.

• Keep eating soft foods: Stick to soft foods for at least 18 days post-operation, even if you feel better. Scabs form at the site of the operation and can be dislodged by harder foods, potentially causing injury.

• Follow medication instructions: Take any prescribed medications as directed. Painkillers, while they may seem unimportant, are vital for improving your ability to eat and drink. Pain can reduce your appetite for food and liquids, potentially prolonging the healing time and leading to weight loss and dehydration. Complete any prescribed antibiotics as instructed to prevent serious infections.

• Gargle with salt water: Gently gargle with lukewarm salt water four times per day. To aid healing and reduce discomfort, prepare a gargling mix with one teaspoon of salt stirred into an 8-ounce glass of water. 

Where Can You Learn More About Tonsillectomy Recovery?

Have you recently had a tonsillectomy? LifeMD can help you manage any unpleasant symptoms you may be experiencing during your recovery period.

Whether you need a prescription for pain medication or guidance on the best diet to follow after your tonsillectomy, our team of healthcare professionals can assist you.

Make your appointment today to take control of your health — all from the comfort of your own home.

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