Having a tonsillectomy as an adult can be rough on your body. Your throat is sore, swallowing is difficult, and you have to follow a strict diet as you recover. By 7 days after surgery, you should start feeling better and may be ready for some soft, soothing foods again. Here’s a guide to what you can eat at this stage of recovery.
Avoid Hard, Crunchy, Spicy, or Acidic Foods
Your throat will still be tender and swollen 7 days after a tonsillectomy. This means you’ll need to continue avoiding foods that could irritate or injure the healing tissue. Foods to avoid include:
- Hard, crunchy foods like chips, nuts, seeds, toast, raw vegetables
- Spicy foods like chili, tacos, curry, buffalo wings
- Acidic foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, pineapple
Crunchy foods could scrape against the healing surgical sites. Spicy foods can cause burning pain. Acidic foods may make throat pain worse. Steer clear of all of these items as your throat continues to mend.
Choose Soft, Cool Foods
Instead, opt for soft, cool foods that feel soothing on an irritated throat. Good options include:
- Soup – Try blended vegetable, chicken noodle, or cream soups.
- Yogurt – Choose cool, smooth yogurt. Avoid yogurt with fruit chunks.
- Applesauce – Opt for unsweetened applesauce without added cinnamon.
- Mashed potatoes – Potatoes should be well-cooked and smoothly mashed.
- Pudding – Choose cool, smooth pudding like vanilla or chocolate.
- Ice cream, milkshakes, or smoothies – Use a blender to achieve a perfectly smooth texture.
- Instant oatmeal – Cook until very soft and blended smooth.
- Scrambled eggs – Eggs should be cooked soft and eaten lukewarm.
- Custard
- Protein shakes – Use a blender to avoid any lumps.
These foods glide down easily and do not irritate the tender throat tissue. Keep all foods lukewarm or cooler to prevent discomfort from hot temperatures.
Slowly Add Soft Solids
As you move through the first week after surgery, you may feel ready to graduate from only liquids and purees. Soft solid foods can be introduced after 5-7 days. Good options include:
- Macaroni and cheese – Cook the pasta very soft and use smooth cheese sauce.
- Meatloaf – Make sure the meat is very finely minced.
- Fish – Try soft flaky fish like cod or tilapia.
- Ground meat – Use finely minced beef or turkey cooked with gravy or sauce.
- Ripe banana – Mash thoroughly before eating.
- Cottage cheese
- Cream of Wheat or oatmeal – Cook until very soft and smooth.
- Mashed fruits – Try ripe bananas, peaches, or canned pears.
Take small bites and chew thoroughly. Stop eating if you feel any throat discomfort. Drink plenty of fluids to help foods go down smoothly.
When to Resume a Regular Diet
Most patients can return to a normal daily diet 10-14 days after a tonsillectomy. But every case is different. Here are some signs your throat is ready for regular foods again:
- Throat pain has subsided
- Swallowing feels easier
- You are no longer taking prescription pain medication
- Surgical sites have healed over with minimal scabbing/bleeding
Discuss the timing with your ENT doctor. They will examine your throat at a follow-up appointment and give the all-clear to resume your regular diet if healing is on track.
Introduce New Foods Gradually
When the time comes to expand your diet, add new foods back in gradually over several days. Try small portions at first to see how your throat tolerates different textures. Here is a sample progression:
| Days 9-10 | Days 11-12 | Days 13-14 |
|---|---|---|
| Well-cooked pasta | Tender meat | Crunchy bread |
| Soft sandwich bread | Softer raw veggies | Chips |
| Fish | Pizza | Nuts and seeds |
Avoid spicy, heavily seasoned, or acidic foods for at least 2 full weeks after surgery. Introduce those slowly over the following days and weeks.
7-Day Sample Meal Plan
Here is a sample meal plan with soft, soothing foods appropriate for the 7th day after tonsillectomy surgery:
Day 1
- Breakfast: Oatmeal cooked in milk, scrambled eggs
- Lunch: Mashed potatoes with gravy, applesauce
- Dinner: Chicken noodle soup, vanilla yogurt
- Snacks: Protein shake, chocolate pudding
Day 2
- Breakfast: Cream of wheat with brown sugar, pureed fruit smoothie
- Lunch: Macaroni and cheese baked soft, mashed banana
- Dinner: Pureed lentil soup, mashed sweet potato
- Snacks: Ice cream, gelatin
Day 3
- Breakfast: Poached egg, grits with butter
- Lunch: Tuna salad with mayo on soft bread, applesauce
- Dinner: Baked cod, mashed potatoes, cooked carrots
- Snacks: Yogurt, milkshake
Day 4
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with milk, peanut butter smoothie
- Lunch: Noodle soup, cottage cheese
- Dinner: Ground turkey in gravy over mashed potatoes, cooked green beans
- Snacks: Pudding, ice cream
Day 5
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, grits with butter
- Lunch: Mashed chickpeas on soft bread, peach applesauce
- Dinner: Vegetable medley soup, mashed banana
- Snacks: Chocolate milkshake, gelatin
Day 6
- Breakfast: Soft omelet with cheese, yogurt with honey
- Lunch: Baked macaroni and cheese, cooked carrots
- Dinner: Creamed tuna on toast, mashed sweet potato
- Snacks: Ice cream, chocolate pudding
Day 7
- Breakfast: Oatmeal cooked in milk, scrambled egg
- Lunch: Split pea soup, mashed banana
- Dinner: Baked cod, mashed potatoes, applesauce
- Snacks: Yogurt, milkshake
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is extremely important after tonsil surgery. Aim for at least 64 ounces of fluids per day. Water and milk are great options. You can also try electrolyte drinks, decaf tea, broth, and pureed fruit smoothies. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, as these can dehydrate you.
Watch for Dehydration Signs
Monitor yourself carefully for any signs of dehydration, which is common after surgery when oral intake is reduced. Symptoms include:
- Dark yellow urine
- Reduced tears
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dizziness upon standing
Notify your doctor if you exhibit any dehydration symptoms. You may need IV fluids to recover properly.
Supplements Can Help
Protein and vitamin supplements can benefit your recovery diet after a tonsillectomy. Recommended options include:
- Protein shakes – Help maintain strength when oral intake is reduced.
- Vitamin C – Promotes healing and immune function.
- Zinc – Speeds tissue repair.
- Probiotics – Maintain healthy gut flora despite antibiotic use.
- Electrolyte solutions – Replace sodium, potassium lost through dehydration.
Check with your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements to ensure they will not interact with any medications.
Avoid Certain Foods and Behaviors
In addition to avoiding hard, crunchy, spicy, or acidic foods, you’ll also need to steer clear of a few other items during your recovery:
- Alcohol – Can cause dehydration and interact with pain medication.
- Tobacco – Irritates the healing surgical sites.
- Straws – Can dislodge scabs and cause bleeding.
- Big bites – Take small bites and chew thoroughly.
- Talking while eating – Reduce risk of choking.
Monitor for Bleeding
Some minor bleeding is normal during the first 7-10 days following tonsillectomy. However, contact your ENT immediately if you experience:
- Bleeding that lasts longer than 20 minutes
- Repeated bleeding episodes
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing saliva
- Signs of severe blood loss like dizziness or fatigue
Excessive bleeding after surgery can lead to serious complications so it needs to be addressed right away.
Conclusion
The first 7 days after tonsil surgery are a critical time for healing. Stick with a diet of cool, soothing foods like soup, yogurt, applesauce, eggs, and ice cream. Drink plenty of fluids and watch for signs of dehydration or bleeding. If pain is manageable and you are tolerating soft foods well, you can start introducing items like mashed potatoes, ground meat, and well-cooked pasta. But avoid anything spicy, crunchy, or acidic for at least 2 weeks. With proper care and nutrition, you will be well on your way to recovery.
