Did you know that acute tonsillitis is the most common among children? It affects children between the age of 3 to 7. Although tonsils are painful, swollen parts of the throats, they are the first responders to pathogens. Most of us are aware of the tonsils only when they are swollen or start paining.
These lymphatic tissues are always present. They are popularly known as “immunological guardians of the upper aerodigestive tract.” While you must be wondering how to get rid of these tonsils, there are foods for tonsillitis that can be of great help in combating the pain and inflammation!
Here we talk about various foods good for tonsillitis, how to use them, and how much to use these. Read on!
Foods for Tonsillitis
1. Fresh Figs
Figs are packed with phenolic compounds that contain anti-inflammatory properties. These can soothe the inflammation and swelling in the throat.
Moreover, fresh figs can also help in relieving the pain caused by tonsillitis, externally, and internally. Did you know figs contain antimicrobial properties too? This helps them in keeping the tonsillitis bacteria away.
- Take two to three fresh figs and add them to water in a saucepan
- Boil it and make a paste
- Apply this paste to your throat externally
- Leave the paste on for 10 to 15 minutes before you wash it off
You can follow this procedure once or twice daily. You can also eat some fresh figs regularly.
[ Read: Treat Tonsillitis Naturally ]
2. Soups and Broths
Tonsillitis may be the cause of a cold and sore throat. In such a case, hot soups and broths can be great food for tonsillitis(1). You can have hot soups made from veggies and chicken that can help in healing the sore throat quickly.
Numerous minerals and nutrients in broths and soups can help in boosting immunity, thereby helping in recovering faster. Hot broths also offer relief against swollen throat and inflammation.
- Prepare a vegetable or chicken broth or soup
- Add minced garlic, ginger or herbs to add some extra flavor and antimicrobial healing
- Drink the soups hot to get maximum benefits
You can drink hot soups and broths two to three times a day. Hot foods are one of the best foods for tonsil recovery.
3. Barley
Barley(2) is loaded with natural antioxidants and is also packed with essential minerals and vitamins. It helps in soothing tonsillitis and is a natural treatment for inflamed throats. Interestingly, barley grains are antimicrobial. This is why they are considered an excellent food for tonsillitis.
- Take a cup of barley and add it to a liter of water in a saucepan
- Bring it to boil and let it simmer for five to ten minutes
- Let the drink cool
- You can have it at regular intervals
You can have the barley drink one to two times daily throughout the day. Moreover, you can also apply the barley paste externally on your throat. This helps in providing a soothing effect on your throat.
[ Read: Home Remedies for Painful Tonsillitis ]
4. Yogurt
Yogurt helps treat tonsillitis naturally as it is a natural probiotic. Along with boosting your immunity, yogurt is also packed with anti-inflammatory properties that help in soothing the throat. Moreover, yogurt can also keep the infections at bay, which may be a potential cause of tonsillitis.
- Eat a cup of plain, unsweetened yogurt
- You can add soft, chewable fruits such as diced grapes or berries to your yogurt
Yogurt is one of the best foods for tonsillitis. You can eat a cup of yogurt every day once to cure tonsillitis naturally.
5. Carrot, Cucumber, and Beetroot
You can prepare carrot, cucumber, and beetroot juice as this is soft food that is considered to be the best food for tonsillitis. Vegetables are loaded with essential minerals and vitamins that are known to provide a natural remedy for tonsillitis. The juice of carrot, cucumber, and beetroot are vital for treating tonsillitis quickly and effectively.
The vitamins A and C packed in these vegetables help in fighting against the inflammation caused by the tonsillitis bacteria. Moreover, these vitamins also boost antibiotics in the body to help combat against tonsillitis.
- Take 50 ml of cucumber and beetroot juice
- Take 150 ml of carrot juice
- Mix these juices well and in the same quantity mentioned
You must drink this juice once a day.
[ Read: Natural Remedies to Treat Strep Throat ]
6. Ginger
One of the best food for tonsillitis is ginger. Ginger is known to have a compound called gingerol, which contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory abilities. Moreover, studies suggest that fresh ginger is also packed with anti-viral properties that make it the best food for tonsil recovery.
- Take a saucepan and add a cup of warm water and ginger
- Boil them and let it simmer for about five to ten minutes
- Strain the solution and let it cool. Make sure that you keep the mixture a bit warm.
- Now, add raw honey to the tea
- Drink it warm.
You can use this ginger tea every day around three to four times. The warm tea will soothe your throat, and ginger will help in quick recovery from tonsillitis.
7. Onion
Onions are packed with antibacterial properties, and that is why it is one of the best foods that are good for tonsillitis. It helps in combating the tonsillitis bacteria and offers a soothing effect to your throat. Furthermore, onions are also anti-inflammatory, which means that they help in alleviating the swelling and inflammation of the throat.
- Take one onion and blend it with half a cup of water
- You can add raw honey in this mixture and mix again
- Keep consuming this mixture in small portions throughout the day
You must drink this mixture throughout the day. This should be followed until your tonsillitis is treated.
[ Read: Home Remedies for Throat Pain ]
8. Soft Foods
Soft foods are more comfortable to swallow. When you are suffering from the pain of tonsillitis, it is evident that swallowing foods that are hard and coarse would make the pain worse. Hard foods can also rupture the throat, thereby increasing the pain. That is why going for softer foods helps in relieving the pain.
Yogurt, applesauce, and pudding are some of the soft foods. These can be eaten as snacks. You can also include mashed potatoes, rice, soft boiled vegetables, and plain pasta. Other best options of soft foods include soups, soft pieces of meat, and winter squash.
One of the best foods that are good for tonsillitis is soft foods, and therefore you should include them as much as you can in your diet. It is also recommended to ask your nutritionist and doctor before you add any particular food in your diet for a more extended period.
Although tonsillitis is a common condition in children, the lymph tissues can get swollen and inflamed even in adults. It is recommended to know some best foods for tonsillitis that can help in relieving the pain and swollenness.
From having hot soups, broths, eating soft foods, applying a paste of barley, drinking warm water and doing salt water gargling, there are numerous natural remedies and food that are good for tonsillitis.
FAQs
1. What Are the Other Effective Remedies to Get Rid of Tonsillitis?
Some of the other effective remedies to get rid of tonsillitis are salt water gargling, drinking warm tea with raw honey, licorice lozenges, and humidifiers.
2. Is Turmeric Good for Tonsillitis?
Yes, turmeric contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. You can take a tablespoon of turmeric and add it to a glass of milk, add 2 to 3 peppercorns and boil them together. Turmeric and warm milk help in providing a soothing effect to the throat, thereby relieving the pain of tonsillitis.
3. What Should You Drink for Tonsillitis?
If you have been diagnosed with tonsillitis, you must have warm fluids. Drink warm water only. You can also add hot teas, warm, clear broths, and soups. Warm fluids would help in relieving the pain and offer a relaxed and soothing effect on your throat. You can also drink warm turmeric milk.
