What to Eat When You’re Recovering From a Tonsillectomy

Recovering from tonsil surgery can be a tough process. Many people say it can feel painful to eat or drink anything right afterwards. 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. 

Let’s look at 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 some foods are more comfortable to swallow right after the surgery. Here are our top picks.

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 drinks with nutrients and electrolytes to help keep you hydrated. 

Other good drinks for tonsillectomy recovery include:

• Electrolyte drinks

• Coconut water

• Less acidic juices, like apple juice

• Iced tea or iced coffee

• Milk

Try to avoid citrus juices and carbonated beverages. 

2. Popsicles and ice chips

Popsicles and ice chips are another great way to get cold liquids. They might also feel more satisfying than just drinking fluids. 

3. Ice cream

One fun study showed that ice cream actually decreased pain after a tonsillectomy. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Who needs a tonsillectomy? Kids aren’t the only ones who get their tonsils removed. Here are signs you might need a tonsillectomy as an adult, and what to expect before, during, and after the procedure

• How to soothe a sore throat: Choosing the right foods can help, but it isn’t the only way to feel better. These over-the-counter (OTC) options and home remedies can also help.

• What does it feel like to get your tonsils taken out? People share what it felt like to have a tonsillectomy and give their tips for recovery.

4. Smoothies

Smoothies are a great way to get the calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs to recover. You can get in some good nutrients by adding:

• Fruit

• Veggies

• Dairy products

• Nut butters

• Protein powder

5. Yogurt and pudding

Yogurt and pudding can be great options. Both are cold and usually quite filling — perfect for recovery. 

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6. Soup

Warm 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.

7. 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 increase the caloric content.

8. Pasta

Pasta is another hearty option. Pasta with cream sauce is usually easier to swallow than tomato-based sauces.

9. Scrambled eggs

Scrambled eggs can be a great source of protein and are easy to swallow.

10. Applesauce

Applesauce is cool, refreshing, and easy to swallow. And it has more nutrients (and less sugar) than some other cold treats, like Jell-O or pudding. You can also mix in yogurt or protein powder for some protein.

11. Mashed potatoes

If you’re craving something a little heartier, mashed potatoes may help provide a little comfort as you recover. It can also give you a healthy dose of fat, carbohydrates, and nutrients. 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.

Day-by-day diet for adults and children after a tonsillectomy

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. You might also need to restrict activities to make sure they drink enough.

Here’s a quick guide for how much your child should drink each hour.

Eating during the first days after surgery

Since hydration is so important, the first foods you eat or drink after surgery should be more liquid than solid. The food can be warm or cold. The best things to drink are 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 choices for the first days:

• Juice: Apple, white grape, peach, pear, and apricot nectar are all great choices. Avoid tomato, lemonade, orange, lime, or grapefruit juices.

• 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. 

• Soft cereal: Cooked cereals like cream of wheat or oatmeal are great options.

• Desserts: Good choices include ice cream, pudding, Jell-O, custard, sherbet, and yogurt.

Working in 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. So, plan to stick to the following foods for up to 2 weeks before going back to your usual diet. 

Here are some soft foods to try:

• Fruit: Canned fruit or soft fresh fruit like melon and bananas are great options. Avoid citrus fruits and juices, like lemon, orange, lime, and grapefruit.

• Carbohydrates: Bread, rice, and potatoes are great options. (See more options below.) 

• Meats and proteins: 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.

Below are some nutritious carbohydrate options to help with your recovery:

• Fine-grain breads without seeds or nuts

• Plain muffins

• Biscuits

• Pancakes or French toast

• White rice

• White or sweet potatoes (baked or mashed, without the skin)

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. Remember, eating and drinking enough is more important than what you eat. Staying hydrated and getting good nutrition will help you heal. As you start to feel better, you can start eating a more varied diet.

What foods should you avoid after a tonsillectomy?

There are no specific foods that have been shown to be harmful after tonsil surgery. But some may be harder to swallow than others. Here are some foods to avoid:

• 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. 

• Spicy foods: It’s best to avoid foods that can cause discomfort, even on a good day. But as your throat heals, you may be more sensitive to spices than normal.

Tips to treat painful swallowing after a tonsillectomy

You’ll be more likely to get the nutrition and hydration you need if you take steps to manage your pain. To help yourself or your child 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. 

These tips can help you coordinate your pain medications: 

• 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.

• It’s best to eat and drink when your pain medications are working best. This is usually about 30 to 45 minutes after you’ve taken them. 

• One study has shown that taking pain medications with a teaspoon of honey can help with pain. Even better, some evidence suggests that honey may even improve wound healing.

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Written by:

Jill L. Jaimes, MD

Jill L. Jaimes, MD, is a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician with over 20 years of clinical experience. She received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed her residency and fellowship training at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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