What Can I Eat When I Have Tonsillitis

What is Tonsillitis?

What is tonsillitis?

The condition known as tonsillitis is an infection which comes in different forms but essentially it's an inflammation of one or both tonsils within the throat. Determining what to eat when we have tonsillitis can be hard as swallowing is likely to be difficult or even impossible. It may also be difficult to find a variety of foodstuffs to eat when we have tonsillitis, as so many foods are out of bounds -- or at least appear to be. Therefore, this article will provide a brief look at some varied ideas of what you can eat when you have tonsillitis. They should all be both as easy as possible to swallow, yet also varied in their composition and taste.
You might also find some of the comments at the bottom of this page, regarding different experiences of tonsillitis, to be useful and of interest.

Also, an Important Note:

This site is not intended as a tool for medical self-diagnosis. It is merely based on the author's own experiences in the immediate aftermath of having been diagnosed with the infection. As with any other suspected illness or condition, you should consult your registered medical practitioner as soon as possible if you suspect that you may be suffering from tonsillitis.

The Various Stages of What You Can Eat With Tonsillitis

It is likely when you are first diagnosed with tonsillitis that your throat will be extremely sore and that swallowing anything at all -- even liquids -- will be painful. As your condition improves, however, the pain will ease and you'll be able to swallow more substantial foodstuffs on an ongoing basis. I will therefore begin this site with those easiest to swallow and progress as we go along on to what you will be able to eat as you slowly get better. Here's a snapshot of what this will look like:

• Simple yoghurt
• Ice cream
• Ice cream and milk jelly
• Freshly squeezed fruit juice and smoothies
• Scrambled or poached eggs
• Mashed potatoes

 Yoghurt

Eating Simple Yoghurt With Tonsillitis

Yoghurt is commonly recommended to anyone suffering from tonsillitis. However, there are a couple of points to make note of when considering which type of yoghurt to purchase:

• It's important not to buy a brand of yoghurt which contains pieces of real fruit. There's a simple reason for this: the fruit pieces will prove difficult to swallow in the earliest stages of your condition.
• In keeping with healthy eating, make sure you choose low fat yoghurt. This will keep the levels of saturated fats you are likely to be consuming during this time to a minimum.

 

Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream

Eating Ice Cream With Tonsillitis

Ice cream is another obvious foodstuff to eat when suffering from tonsillitis (or any other form of sore throat). Not only does it slip easily over the palate, but its refreshing coldness can be like water on the flames of the pain and irritation.

• It is important, however, to choose straightforward ice cream and not a fancy ice cream-based dessert, which may contain solids which will only irritate your throat.
• Again, look for the low fat option.
• Also, you can save money by going for the supermarket's own brand. It is the coldness of the ice cream you are most likely to require, not its subtle taste, which your ability to detect may be impaired due to your condition, anyway.

 Ice Cream and Milk Jelly

Eating Ice Cream and Milk Jelly With Tonsillitis

You can also mix it up by having ice cream and jelly. Ice cream and jelly is a traditional favourite of millions of children. However, this jelly is a little bit different. This is what I heard was called milk jelly as a young child and attempted to recreate recently for the first time in nigh on thirty years. Unfortunately, it would appear that my memory of the preparation method has become distorted over the years -- so, although it did not turn out anything like I'd intended, it was and is still thoroughly enjoyable.
Milk jelly is incredibly simple to prepare, though it does take several hours to set.

Directions For Making "Milk Jelly":

1. Take one 5 oz table jelly (jello in the USA) and break it up in to pieces.
2. Add the pieces to a pyrex measuring jug, followed by enough boiling water to make the mixture up to three quarters of a pint.
3. Stir until the jelly is fully dissolved.
4. Pour a three quarter pint can of evaporated milk in to a bowl or jelly mould and add the jelly solution.
5. Stir well and refrigerate until set.

 Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

Freshly Squeezed Fruit Juice and Smoothies for Your Tonsillitis

Freshly squeezed fruit juice and smoothies are an excellent way of ensuring that you get all of your required vitamins while your throat is sore and while you're restricted in what you can eat. There is virtually no limit to what can be included in these often extremely nutritious drinks.

 Lightly Scrambled Egg with Cheese

Feeling a Little Better With Your Tonsillitis? Try Some Scrambled Egg

Scrambled egg is a step up from the likes of ice cream, but is still fairly easy on an inflamed throat. In order to make the eggs extra light, try adding one tablespoon of milk per two eggs.

Directions on How to Prepare Scrambled Egg:

1. Beat two eggs thoroughly with the milk.
2. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
3. Melt a little butter in a non-stick saucepan and pour in the eggs, turning the heat up fairly high initially to start the cooking process.
4. Once the eggs begin to solidify, turn the heat down to medium and stir constantly with a wooden spoon.
5. Stir as though folding flour in to a cake mixture, with wide, slow movements, rather than stirring voraciously. This will help to keep the eggs light and fluffy, as opposed to them taking on the consistency of coarse gravel.
6. When the eggs are done, remove them from the heat and fold in 1oz of grated/shredded hard cheese.

A Soft Poached Egg is Also Easy on the Throat With Tonsillitis

If you prefer your eggs poached to scrambled, the short video below describes an easy way to make a perfectly poached egg.
Note: The serving suggestion at the end of the video is not for people suffering from tonsillitis! Try instead dipping some very soft bread into the yolk.

How to Make a Perfect Poached Egg

 Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Mint

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes With Mint

Mashed potato on its own is probably not one of the most appetising meals. However, there are a great many ways in which we can spice up mashed potatoes, in order to make them more appealing. This is but one suggestion:

Directions on How to Make Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes With Mint:

1. Peel and chop two Maris Piper potatoes and add to boiling, salted water.
2. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until soft.
3. Drain them well and add them to a bowl.
4. Mash them thoroughly before stirring in a tablespoon or two of double (heavy) cream, one grated/crushed garlic clove and a tsp of freshly chopped mint.
5. Season with salt to taste and stir well before serving.