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Nutrition Guidelines for Mouth & Throat Discomfort
The linings of the mouth and throat
are among the most sensitive parts of the body.
Therapies and treatments for a number
of medical conditions can lead to tender gums and a sore mouth and throat,
making chewing and swallowing painful. Changes in taste and dry mouth are
additional common side effects.
If you are experiencing soreness in
your mouth or throat, you may find it beneficial to gargle and rinse your mouth
with a baking-soda solution every three or four hours in order to remove bits of
food and to keep your mouth moist and fresh-tasting (try one teaspoon of baking
soda in two cups of water, mixed well).
Be sure to avoid using mouthwashes
that contain alcohol, and avoid brushing your teeth vigorously; try using a soft
toothbrush or a cotton swab with baking powder.
To minimize your discomfort, you
should select food and drink that will not cause irritation.
The dietary guidelines below,
including food and drink recommendations and tips for food preparation, are
intended to help you maintain a healthful diet without adding to your
discomfort.
Dietary Recommendations for Mouth &
Throat Discomfort
If you are experiencing mouth or
throat discomfort, the following dietary guidelines and suggestions may be
helpful:
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To make swallowing easier, choose
moist foods with soft or smooth textures, such as applesauce, mashed bananas,
soft cakes and pies (cheesecake, Boston cream pie), soft cheeses (cottage,
ricotta), cream of wheat, cream soups (cream of mushroom, cream of chicken),
custard, eggs, French toast, canned fruit (in heavy syrup), gelatin, ice
cream, noodles, oatmeal, pancakes, mashed potatoes, pudding, watermelon, and
yogurt.
-
If your discomfort is severe, try
commercial baby food.
-
Avoid dry, sticky foods, such as
caramel and peanut butter, which may be difficult to swallow and may get stuck
in your mouth or throat.
-
Avoid rough, coarse, or dry foods
that may cause irritation during chewing and swallowing, such as bread and
buns; dry cakes; dry cereals; corn; hard fruits (apples); granola; baked or
fried fish, meat, or poultry; nuts; popcorn, potato chips, and pretzels; plain
rice; and raw vegetables.
-
Avoid acidic foods, such as
grapefruit, lemons, limes, oranges, pineapple, tangerines, and tomato
products, all of which may cause a burning sensation in your mouth or throat.
-
Instead, try mild foods
(applesauce, canned peaches and pears) and mild drinks (apple juice, nectars,
fruit punches, malts, milkshakes).
-
Similarly, choose sauces made with
cheese, cream, or milk; and if you have open mouth sores, limit your intake of
salt and strong spices such as chili powder, cloves, curry, nutmeg, and red
pepper.
-
During meals, drink small amounts
of liquids to help keep your mouth moist (use a straw if drinking from a glass
causes discomfort), and try tilting your head back or extending it forward
when chewing and swallowing in order to avoid further irritation to sensitive
areas of your mouth or throat.
-
Eat foods served at moderate
temperatures; very hot or very cold foods may cause additional discomfort.
-
If cold foods do not cause
discomfort, try ice chips, ice pops, frozen juice bars, sherbet, sorbet, or
frozen yogurt to help soothe sores in your mouth or throat.
-
Hard candies and suckers
(especially of sour flavors) may help to keep your mouth moist. Also try
chewing gum.
-
When you are having trouble eating,
add a nutritionally complete drink to your diet in order to boost your calorie
intake.
-
Several kinds are available --
Advera, Boost, Carnation Instant Breakfast, Ensure Plus, Resource Plus, and
Sustacal, to name a few.
Food-Preparation Recommendations for
Mouth & Throat Discomfort
If you are experiencing mouth or
throat discomfort, try the following food-preparation strategies:
-
Braise, poach, steam, or stew foods
to make them soft and moist. Also try adding extra liquid to casseroles and
stews for a softer texture.
-
Moisten foods such as breads,
meats, noodles, rice, and vegetables with broth, melted butter or margarine,
cream soups, gravies, mayonnaise, salad dressings, sauces, or sour cream, as
appropriate.
-
Use a blender to puree your food.
If you like vegetable soup, for example, heat and then blend it. Pureed food
tends to taste better if it is cooked beforehand, and food is easier to blend
when it is warm.
The above
opinionated views and information serves to educated and informed consumer . The
information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or
for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. It should not replaced
professional advise and consultation. A licensed physician should be consulted
for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions
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