In life, it's inevitable to experience various illnesses, and tonsillitis is one of the most common. The severity of tonsillitis varies from person to person. So, what foods should be avoided when you have tonsillitis, and what foods can help you recover quickly? Today, let's find out together through this content.
1. Avoid spicy foods
Spicy foods are pungent and heating. It's not advisable to eat them when you have a "heat syndrome" (a state of internal heat). Eating spicy foods can easily generate internal fire and heat toxins, thereby worsening tonsillitis.
Common spicy foods: chili, Sichuan peppercorn, chives, ginger, star anise, scallions, garlic, spicy strips, etc.
2. Avoid smoked and grilled foods
When grilling, food can easily get burnt. When meat drips onto the charcoal, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are produced, which volatilize with the smoke and adhere to the food. These are also potent carcinogens. Moreover, grilled foods are extremely "heaty" (a concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine referring to foods that generate internal heat) and are not good for your condition when you have inflammation.
Common smoked and grilled foods: grilled skewers, cured meat, cured fish, etc.
3. Avoid "heaty" tonic foods
When you have tonsillitis, your body has a surplus of internal heat. At this time, you should not take tonics, as excessive supplementation can lead to dampness and heat being trapped internally, thereby increasing the internal heat and making the already inflamed tonsils worse.
Common "heaty" tonic foods: ginseng, deer antler, Siberian ginseng, Epimedium, angelica, Cordyceps sinensis, astragalus, etc.
4. Avoid "trigger" foods
"Trigger" foods (in Traditional Chinese Medicine, foods that can exacerbate certain conditions) can cause phlegm to accumulate and generate heat, triggering tonsillitis.
Common "trigger" foods: rooster meat, shrimp, bamboo shoots, dog meat, lamb, etc.
5. Avoid raw and cold foods
Raw and cold foods should generally be eaten in moderation. When you have tonsillitis, eating them can further constrict the tiny blood vessels in the tonsils, affect blood circulation, and worsen the condition, leading to a recurring problem.
Common raw and cold foods: iced watermelon, iced drinks, popsicles, and other foods that have been refrigerated or frozen.
6. Avoid fragrant and crispy foods
Fragrant and crispy foods usually refer to foods that are deep-fried or baked at high temperatures. They often smell very good but are easy to cause "internal heat".
Common fragrant and crispy foods: potato chips, fried dough sticks, cookies, etc.