Key takeaways:
When recovering from a tonsillectomy, good nutrition and hydration play an important role in a speedy recovery.
Certain foods are easier to chew and swallow after you get your tonsils out. But your diet can still include a lot of variety — from smoothies to scrambled eggs.
Properly managing your pain with medication can make eating and drinking more comfortable after a tonsillectomy.
Recovering from tonsil surgery can be a tough process. Many people say it can feel painful to eat or drink anything right afterward. But staying hydrated and eating the right foods are key parts of recovery. The first 3 days tend to be the hardest, although a full recovery may take a couple of weeks.
Below we’ll share some tips on what to eat after a tonsillectomy — and what you can do to make swallowing less painful.
What foods are good after a tonsillectomy?
When you’re recovering from a tonsillectomy, eating and drinking enough is more important than choosing specific foods. Studies show that specific diets don’t make a big difference in recovery time. But there are certain foods that may be more comfortable to swallow right after the surgery. Here are some of the best foods to eat after a tonsillectomy.
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1. Cold drinks
Refrigerated or iced beverages can help soothe and numb the pain in your throat. A glass of cold, plain water is always a good choice and may feel more refreshing than usual. But you can also consider other hydrating drinks, such as:
Less acidic juices, like apple juice
Iced tea or iced coffee
Milk
Try to avoid citrus juices and carbonated beverages since they can irritate the tissue in your throat.
2. Frozen treats
Frozen treats can be very soothing, and they might also feel more satisfying than just drinking fluids. Ice cream can be a great option after a tonsillectomy. Some research suggests that ice cream may actually help lower pain after a tonsillectomy.
Other ideas include:
Popsicles
Italian ice or shaved ice
Sorbet
Frozen yogurt
Milkshakes
Banana “nice cream” (frozen blended bananas)
3. Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to get the calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs to recover. You can add protein, fiber, and healthy fats by including:
Fruit like fresh or frozen berries, peaches, or melon
Veggies, such as spinach or beets
Dairy products, like yogurt, cottage cheese, or milk
4. Yogurt and pudding
Greek or regular yogurt, pudding, or custard can be great options. Both are cold and usually quite filling — perfect for recovery.
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5. Soup
Lukewarm or warm (not hot) foods are also good to eat and soothing. Soup can be a heartier option to soothe hunger pains. Thin or pureed soups will be easier to swallow in the first days. As you feel better, you can eat soups with more chunks.
6. Oatmeal or other cooked grains
Oatmeal doesn’t take much time to make and it can be a soothing food. You can add protein to oatmeal and other cooked grains by mixing in peanut butter or milk. This can also help you get more calories when your body needs them.
7. Pasta
Pasta is another hearty option. Pasta with cream sauce is usually easier to swallow than tomato-based sauces.
8. Scrambled eggs
Scrambled eggs are a great source of protein, and are easy to swallow.
9. Applesauce
Applesauce is cool and refreshing. And it has more nutrients (and less sugar) than some other cold treats, like gelatin dessert (Jell-O) or pudding. You can also mix in yogurt or protein powder to add protein.
10. Mashed potatoes
If you’re craving something a little heartier, mashed potatoes can be a great option as you recover. They provide carbohydrates, fiber, and potassium, among other nutrients. You can add olive oil or butter for some fat. For an even bigger nutrient boost, give sweet potatoes a try. They’re particularly high in vitamin A, which helps support a strong immune system and skin health.
Tonsillectomy diet day-by-day for adults
For about 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, most people will have a sore throat along with pain around their ear and neck. The pain may be the worst up to 4 days after surgery. Then, 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, the pain may get worse again when scabs in your throat start to fall off.
How much pain you feel during recovery will help guide what you feel comfortable eating and when. When the pain is at its worst, you may not want to drink anything. But it’s very important to stay hydrated. Drinking fluids will help with the pain and your recovery.
If you’re caring for a child who had their tonsils removed, you may need to strongly encourage them to drink — even if they don’t want to. You can use rewards, like watching a movie or reading a book, to help.
Here’s a quick guide for how much your child should drink each hour.
Child’s weight | Fluids per hour |
25-40 lbs | 2 oz (¼ cup) |
41-99 lbs | 2-3 oz (⅓ cup) |
100 lbs and up | 3 oz (½ cup) or more |
Eating during the first days after surgery
Since hydration is so important, the first foods you eat after surgery should be more liquid than solid. The food can be warm or cold. During this time, it’s best to drink cool, clear liquids you can see through. You can buy an oral electrolyte drink like Pedialyte or make your own at home.
Here are more easy-to-swallow, hydrating food and drink choices for the first days:
Juice: Apple, white grape, peach, pear, and apricot nectar are all great choices. Avoid tomato juice, citrus juices, and lemonade.
Fruit: You can try strained or pureed fruit like applesauce or baby food.
Milk-based drinks: Milk, chocolate milk, shakes, instant breakfast drinks, and yogurt drinks are all OK.
Soup: Strained soups without chunks are easy to swallow.
Desserts: Good choices include ice cream, pudding, gelatin dessert (Jell-O), custard, sherbet, and yogurt.
Adding soft foods
Once you or your child starts to feel better, you can move toward a soft-food diet. Crunchy or fried foods may hurt the back of your throat.
Here are some soft foods to try:
Fruit: Canned fruit or soft fresh fruit like melon and bananas are great options.
Carbohydrates: Bread, rice, potatoes (without skin), pancakes, cooked cereals like cream of wheat or oatmeal are great options. (See more options below.)
Protein foods: Soft proteins include eggs, cheese, ground or finely chopped meat, chicken, and fish.
Vegetables: You can eat a range of vegetables. Just make sure they’re soft and cooked well. Steaming is a great way to prepare soft veggies.
Soups and pastas: There are lots of options in this category, including casseroles, spaghetti, or macaroni and cheese.
When can you return to a normal diet after a tonsillectomy?
Most people can go back to eating a regular diet about 2 weeks after surgery, depending on how they’re healing. Remember, eating and drinking enough is more important than what you eat. Staying hydrated and getting good nutrition will help you heal. As your pain improves and swallowing becomes more comfortable, you can gradually return to your usual diet.
What foods should you avoid after a tonsillectomy?
Some may be harder to swallow than others. Here are some foods and beverages to avoid while you’re recovering:
Foods with sharp edges: People used to think that hard foods like chips and cold cereal could increase your risk for bleeding. Studies have shown this isn’t true, but these foods can still be a little harder to swallow.
Carbonated drinks: The bubbles in these drinks can make them uncomfortable to swallow. Letting a carbonated drink sit out for a bit can make it a little less fizzy and easier to drink.
Citrus: Acidic foods like citrus fruits and their juices may sting a little bit when swallowing.
Hot (temperature) foods and drinks: Anything hot should be cooled down to room temperature.
Spicy foods: As your throat heals, you may be more sensitive to spices than normal.
Can you use a straw after a tonsillectomy?
It may be tempting to use a straw to help you drink fluids and stay hydrated. But it may not be a good idea. Using a straw may be uncomfortable, and some healthcare professionals recommend avoiding them during early recovery because the suction could irritate tender, healing tissues in the throat.
Tips to treat painful swallowing after a tonsillectomy
Taking steps to manage your pain will make it easier to eat and drink. To eat and drink more comfortably, try to time your pain medications around meals. You probably have medications and instructions from your healthcare team to help manage your pain. Try to:
Fill any prescription medications your healthcare team recommends.
Make sure you have enough over-the-counter (OTC) medications if your healthcare team recommends it.
Keep track of when you take your medications. It can be hard to remember which medication you took and when — especially when you’re tired and in pain.
Eat and drink when your pain medications are working best. This is usually about 30 to 45 minutes after you’ve taken them.
Some research suggests that honey may help lower pain and support healing after a tonsillectomy. If your care team gives you the OK, a small amount of honey may be soothing and can be taken along with prescribed medications.
Frequently asked questions
Recovery after a tonsillectomy can take up to 2 to 3 weeks. Pain is usually worse during the first few days as the anesthesia wears off. Make sure to keep up with your pain medication so you can drink enough fluids to stay hydrated. You’ll slowly feel better over the next 2 weeks. Keep in mind that some people experience pain when the scabs in their throat fall off.
The hardest days are usually days 2 to 4, when the pain medication from the surgery has worn off and you’re still in the acute stage after surgery.
As you begin to feel better, you can start eating soft foods like pasta again — including ramen. The warm broth may even help with hydration.
Avoid strenuous activities for up to 2 weeks after your surgery. That means holding off on the gym, sports, and any musical instruments that require you to use your mouth or throat. You may go back to work after 3 days, as long as your job doesn’t include strenuous activity. Children should stay home from school for 1 week.
Recovery after a tonsillectomy can take up to 2 to 3 weeks. Pain is usually worse during the first few days as the anesthesia wears off. Make sure to keep up with your pain medication so you can drink enough fluids to stay hydrated. You’ll slowly feel better over the next 2 weeks. Keep in mind that some people experience pain when the scabs in their throat fall off.
The hardest days are usually days 2 to 4, when the pain medication from the surgery has worn off and you’re still in the acute stage after surgery.
As you begin to feel better, you can start eating soft foods like pasta again — including ramen. The warm broth may even help with hydration.
Avoid strenuous activities for up to 2 weeks after your surgery. That means holding off on the gym, sports, and any musical instruments that require you to use your mouth or throat. You may go back to work after 3 days, as long as your job doesn’t include strenuous activity. Children should stay home from school for 1 week.
The bottom line
After a tonsillectomy, drinking and eating will help your body heal quicker. Make sure to take it easy and slowly return to your normal diet and routine. If your pain has gone down and eating doesn’t hurt, you can slowly advance your diet to foods that need more chewing. If your throat hurts when you eat something, take a step back and try something smaller. Your body will heal at its own pace. Trust your body and let it guide you.
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References
Albeladi, M. A., et al. (2020). The effect of ice cream intake on pain relief for patients after tonsillectomy. Cureus.
Bannister, M., et al. (2017). Post-tonsillectomy dietary advice and haemorrhage risk: Systematic review. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology.
Boroumand, P., et al. (2013). Post tonsillectomy pain: Can honey reduce the analgesic requirements? Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine.
Cook, J. A., et al. (1992). A randomized comparison of three post-tonsillectomy diets. Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences.
Hwang, S. H., et al. (2016). The efficacy of honey for ameliorating pain after tonsillectomy: a meta-analysis. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology.
Meybodian, M., et al. (2019). Effect of cold diet and diet at room temperature on post-tonsillectomy pain in children. Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology.
Millington, A. J. F., et al. (2016). Post-tonsillectomy dietary advice: Systematic review. The Journal of Laryngology and Otology.
Tan, L., et al. (2020). The time course of pain after tonsillectomy. Paediatric Anaesthesia.
