10 Food To Avoid During Tonsils

Have you ever felt irritation in your throat and some kind of itchiness, sore throat during the night, when you wake up in the morning? Do you also feel some pain in swallowing food or water? If yes, then you are probably having tonsillitis. It is a condition in which the tonsils present in your throat swell up and become red and also make swallowing very difficult. Symptoms may include sore throat, redness in the throat and sometimes even fever. Also, it is important to know the food you can eat and food to avoid during tonsils. 

What is Tonsils?

Tonsils are lymph nodes present at the back of the throat. They play a major role in fighting against infections and prevent bacteria or viruses from reaching our respiratory system. It is most common in children, but it can also happen to adults. It is highly contagious and is generally caused by a wide variety of viruses and bacteria. The most common type of bacteria responsible for the soreness in our throats is streptococcal bacteria. It is also caused by common cold viruses, influenza viruses, and measles viruses. If left untreated, tonsillitis can grow into chronic tonsillitis.  

10 Food To Avoid During Tonsils

Here is the list of top 10 food to avoid during tonsillitis: 

1. Alcohol
   

   

   It would give you a burning sensation in the throat which further aggravates the tonsils. During tonsillitis, one should be very careful with the hydration of his or her body. Alcohol dehydrates your body and makes it very difficult for you to maintain moisture in your throat.

2. Tomatoes and sauces
   

   Tomato is very rich in oxalic acid. If taken in large quantities, the acid present in tomatoes can irritate your throat lining and cause tonsillitis to become worse. You should also avoid different kinds of sauces as they have all the irritating spices which could be a nightmare for you.

   Also Read: How to Get Rid of Tonsil Stones at Home? 10 Effective Home Remedies

3. Pickles
   

   You should at all costs, avoid pickles. Pickles have great quantities of vinegar and salt which can cause your tonsils to be more inflamed. They can also contribute to stomach acid reflux, which can prove to be the second adverse effect of having pickles during tonsillitis.

4. Tobacco
   

   It plays a major role and can have adverse effects on your overall health. You should be wary of even passive smoking if you have tonsillitis. It can cause serious irritation in your throat and make the condition even worse.

   Also Read: Something Stuck in my Throat Remedy

   

5. Citrus fruits and juices
   

   Just like tomatoes, citrus fruits like oranges, pineapples and mangoes have considerable quantities of acid and they are naturally of acidic nature. They have the capability to irritate your already irritated throat even more. Eat fruits such as bananas, peaches, and melons. 

6. Hard and crunchy food

   Food like chips, raw vegetables and nuts should also be strictly avoided as they can make tonsillitis more irritable and can dry up the area making you uncomfortable. Eating food that can go down easily will also be very helpful. It can get discomforting while swallowing any hard food. You can steam your vegetables as it would make them tender and it will cause no discomfort in passing through your throat. Hard and sharp crunchy, avoid food during tonsils.

7. Greasy food
   

   Strictly avoid deep or shallow fried snacks like patties, fried chicken, samosas as it can irritate the lymph nodes (tonsils).

8. Spicy food
   

   Food that is cooked with spices or garlic must be prohibited during this condition. It can make the tonsils generate cough which can be very painful. Therefore, skip adding spices to your food while cooking.
   

   

9. Toast
   

   Food which also includes toast, that can dry up your throat should be avoided. It is very essential to moisten your throat at that time. Instead, soak the bread in milk to make it easier to swallow. (Do You Know: Why there are White Spots on the Throat? )

10. Preserved food
    Even if preservatives are added to food to fight spoilage, they are harmful chemicals posing a threat not only to your throat but overall health. Supplement your meal with fresh food. 
    

A SHORT STORY OF A PATIENT WHO SUFFERED FROM TONSILLITIS

“One day, when I woke up in the morning I felt a strange tightness in my throat. It felt like some needles were inserted in my throat.  Believe me, I have had broken bones, but the level on which tonsillitis made me feel uncomfortable was incomparable. I was taking Ibuprofen every few hours, as the pain was not going away. I was unable to sleep because of the excruciating pain prevailing in my throat. Also, I waited for around 3 days for it to go away on its own, but it didn’t. Then I felt the need to go to the hospital. There were food to avoid during tonsils, which I did not. Later, it took me a lifetime to swallow food and even my saliva, as I couldn’t dodge the pain and it hurt really bad when anything touched my tonsillitis.

The doctor suggested me to have surgery, which would remove tonsillitis, as my condition was terrible. Also, the surgeon understood the problem and gave me a moment to brace before he squeezed the area so that the pus could ooze out. It was an outpatient procedure and the tonsils were removed within an hour. Tonsillectomy was a smooth process. ”

Remember that this is a case where the situation got worse and it is an example of chronic tonsillitis. Always take care of what you eat when you have tonsils.

Prevent Tonsils Infection – Lifestyle Changes

1. Regular Exercise
2. Avoid Drinking Alcohol
3. Quit Smoking
4. Minimize stress
5. Maintain Healthy weight
6. Rest Properly
7. Practice good hand washing & oral hygiene

Take Away

Having studied about basic facts on tonsillitis, if the condition does not show any sign of improvement, you should immediately consult an ENT doctor. If not done so, the situation can get worse very quickly, as in the case mentioned above. We can say that it is hard to avoid getting into this condition, as it is contagious but what you can do to improve it is always in your control. It is always a good idea to wash your hands before and after a meal, and avoid going to places that are infection-prone. As discussed above, what you eat also has a major role in improving or degrading your condition. 

“You should always be very careful when it comes to your health. We wish you a healthy life!”

• Should I consider tonsillectomy for my kid?