After a tonsillectomy, you may experience throat pain for up to two weeks. Your doctor may recommend that you follow a soft diet to ensure recovery after surgery. A soft diet is typically recommended when you cannot tolerate solid foods found in a general diet. A soft diet and other specialized diets following surgery should only be done under the supervision of your health care provider.
Tonsillectomy Identified
Your tonsils help your body fight off infections. However, when they cause painful complications such as throat infections or breathing problems, your doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy. The surgery is performed in less than an hour, and you may go home several hours later. In addition to medicine recommended by your doctor, tonsillectomy recovery also involves proper diet and nutrition. Following surgery, you must consume only clear liquids until you are able to tolerate and progress to full liquids or a soft diet.
Diet Following Surgery
Start with a clear liquid diet after surgery. Liquids provide nutrients and are also easier to consume following surgery. Clear liquids include water, iced tea, plain gelatin, ice pops, apple juice and other noncitrus fruit juices. You can then progress to full liquids, which are thicker than clear liquids and provide more nutrients. Full liquids include milkshakes, smooth yogurt, ice cream, pudding and custards. After a couple days, you may be able to tolerate soft foods.
Soft Diet
A soft diet includes low-fiber foods that are soft in texture but provide essential nutrients needed to promote recovery and ensure health. It is important to incorporate high-protein soft foods when following a soft diet. High-protein foods include soft eggs, milk, yogurt, soft cheese, creamy peanut butter and tofu. All meats, poultry and fish may be consumed if they are lean, tender or grounded. Certain fruits, vegetables and grains may also be consumed in a soft diet. Acceptable fruits and vegetables include cooked, canned, pureed or juice products. Soft fruits include melons, peaches, oranges, avocado and bananas. You can eat breads, cereals, pasta and crackers if they are white, refined and provide little fiber. Eat soups, creams, butter, syrups, and oils may if you can tolerate them.
Diet Considerations
Consult with a registered dietitian for a full list of soft foods and nutritional guidelines following surgery. Avoid foods that are high in fat and rough in texture. Avoid all fried foods, dried or raw products, coarse cereals and strongly flavored condiments and spices. Do not eat any foods that cause throat pain or any other complications. Also avoid alcohol and tobacco products following tonsillectomy surgery. Schedule a followup appointment with your doctor to monitor your recovery process.
