Key takeaways
- Following tonsillectomy, eating cold, soft foods may help soothe your throat. Examples include ice cream, sorbet, gelato, and popsicles.
- It’s important to drink plenty of liquids and return to your typical diet as soon as possible. Water, milk, and clear or pale juices may be beneficial.
- Avoid spicy, sharp, crunchy, or acidic foods and drinks. You should also avoid consuming anything red, as this can make it difficult to detect bleeding after the procedure.
Since tonsillectomy surgery may make eating and drinking painful for a while, you may choose to eat softer foods. Colder foods can also help soothe pain.
Read on to learn more about what foods and drinks may help you feel better after a tonsillectomy.
An otolaryngologist (ENT doctor) will give you instructions about what to eat and drink after a tonsillectomy. It’s important to follow a healthcare professional’s specific guidelines.
Since dehydration
For the first couple of days postsurgery, certain foods and drinks may help.
Beverages
The following drinks may be good options after you’ve had your tonsils out:
- water
- clear or pale juices
- milk
For something savory, try heating a cup of broth. It may be best to avoid acidic drinks such as orange juice since they may burn or sting your throat.
Avoid red or dark-colored liquids. Some people may vomit following surgery. So drinking red or darker liquids can make it more difficult to know if you have blood in your vomit and need to see your doctor.
Cold foods
Throat pain is one of the most widely reported side effects after a tonsillectomy. While some research suggests that it’s not necessary to eat cold foods after tonsillectomy, some people report that eating cool, soft foods helps them feel better.
It’s important for people to start eating a typical diet as soon as possible following a tonsillectomy, as this may help them heal faster.
If you choose to eat frozen treats such as popsicles, sorbet, gelato, or ice cream, look for options without any hard mix-ins such as nuts or hard candy.
To keep blood sugar from spiking, consider adding a source of protein or fiber to a sweet treat. This may include making a milkshake with peanut butter or blending up a smoothie with frozen fruit.
Other soft foods
Other soft-textured foods you may want to eat include things such as:
- custard
- gelatin
- yogurt
- mashed white or sweet potatoes
- applesauce
- oatmeal
Soft foods with a bit more bulk include foods like:
- canned fruits
- scrambled eggs
- well-cooked pasta
- white bread and soft baked goods such as pancakes
While firmer foods may help your throat heal, you may want to avoid very hard foods or foods that may have sharp edges, such as:
- nuts
- crackers
- pretzels
- chips
- popcorn
- raw vegetables
- very crunchy cereal
You should also avoid red foods, as bleeding is possible following tonsillectomy, and consuming red foods can make it harder to monitor any bleeding.
For some people, acidic or spicy foods can also be a source of pain after tonsil surgery. Examples include:
- tomato-based products like pizza or pasta sauce
- citrus fruits and their juices
- spicy dishes like:
- kimchi
- salsa
- curries
Be sure to avoid anything scalding hot as well.
An ENT specialist can best advise you on when it’s OK to resume your usual diet after a tonsillectomy. For most people, though, doctors recommend gradually resuming a regular diet as soon as possible, as this can help with healing.
While recovery can be different for each individual, pain typically resolves within 7 to 10 days.
The pain can worsen around 3 to 5 days after the operation.
The ENT specialist can provide more information about what to expect during recovery and ways to manage pain.
Diet is an important part of recovery after a tonsillectomy. It may be beneficial to eat soft, cooling foods, though this is not always necessary. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration.
Eating nutritious, appropriate foods can help your recovery go smoothly. It is best to avoid sharp, spicy, or acidic foods, as well as red foods and drinks. Bleeding is possible following tonsillectomy, and red foods and drinks can make it harder to detect or monitor any bleeding.
An ENT specialist can provide more information about foods and drinks to eat and avoid following tonsillectomy, as well as what to expect during recovery.