The adenoids are pads of tissue at the back of your nasal cavity and at the top of your mouth. The adenoids help trap harmful bacterial, thereby preventing some infections. Chronic or recurrent infection of the adenoids themselves, however, can cause them to become swollen and painful. A surgeon can treat this condition with a procedure known as an adenoidectomy, but you may need to follow a special diet after this surgery.
Postsurgical Dietary Needs
When a surgeon performs an adenoidectomy, he places you under general anesthesia and uses a special tool, known as a curette, to remove your adenoid tissue. Alternately, he may remove your adenoids using cautery, a procedure that burns away the tissue. After the surgery you will most likely experience a sore throat, which can make consuming certain foods difficult. The goal of a post-adenoidectomy diet is to minimize pain and discomfort after the procedure.
Recommended Foods
A central part of the recovery process is to make sure that you consume enough fluids. You may tolerate clear liquids, such as water, frozen ice pops, apple juice, broth and flavored drink mix well, and you should consume them in large amounts to prevent dehydration. Because swallowing may be painful or difficult, you may want to stick with soft foods, such as pudding, ice cream, apple sauce and bananas, that do not cause pain when you swallow them.
Foods to Avoid
After adenoidectomy, you should avoid foods that are hard and crunchy, including popcorn, pretzels, cold cereal, potato chips and other kinds of chips and nuts. These foods can scratch your throat while you are healing and can cause pain and bleeding. You should avoid these foods for at least a week or until you can swallow normally without pain.
Resuming A Normal Diet?
As a general rule, you can incorporate soft foods such as macaroni and cheese, cooked cereal and other easily swallowed foods when you feel able. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you don't need to follow a strict timetable for when you can eat normally. If a particular food causes you serious pain, however, you should avoid it until your throat no longer hurts.
