A tonsillectomy is performed to remove the tonsils -- lymph tissue that resides at the back of the throat. Tonsillectomies are normally suggested by physicians when tonsils develop chronic infections. Soft or bland foods are recommended during the initial stages of recovery to soothe surgical wounds and promote healing.
Chilled Foods
Gelatin, pudding and ice cream are ideal soft foods to eat after a tonsillectomy procedure. These foods supply your body with necessary calories and are less likely to irritate your surgical wound. Choose cherry or berry gelatin flavors, as lime, lemon and orange flavors are known to irritate the throat because they contain more acids. When eating ice cream, try to wait until it has melted a bit or buy soft serve ice cream.
Broth-Based Soups
Broth-based soups allow you to enjoy a wholesome meal that soothes your throat. Start with plain broths and move to broth-based noodle soups as your recovery progresses. This ensures that the surgical site is not wounded by certain cooked vegetables after swallowing.
Probiotics
Probiotics, or good bacteria, are normally consumed to strengthen the immune system and digestive tract. Thus, probiotics are essential to prevent infection after undergoing tonsil surgery, notes a clinical study published by the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society in August 2001. Soft foods that contain probiotics include yogurt products, kefir and other cultured dairy products. Yogurt and kefir may also soothe inflammation during recovery.
Soft Fruits
Fruits are important after a tonsillectomy because they contain vital antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Consuming fruits in the forms of applesauce or fruit purees supplies your body with nutrients without stressing your surgical wound. You may buy pureed strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, pears, peaches and bananas. You can also blend fruit with water to make your own fruit purees.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Tonsillectomy
- University of Wisconsin: School of Medicine and Public Health: Adult Tonsillectomy
- Associates in Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery: Patient Instructions -- Post Operative Instructions for Tonsillectomy
- PubMed.gov: Nutritional Modulation of Immune Function
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital: Tonsillectomy Overview and Suggestions
