Tonsillitis is the inflammation and infection of the tonsils at the back of the throat. Symptoms include a sore throat, swollen red tonsils, difficulty swallowing, and tender lymph nodes on the side of the neck. Sometimes white spots will present on the tonsils.

Most cases of sore throats are caused by a viral infection, which won’t respond to antibiotics. However, bacterial infections may also cause tonsillitis in which case a course of antibiotics may be needed.

With a sore throat it can often be difficult and sore to swallow, so it’s important to focus on easy-to-tolerate foods which are also rich in nutrients.

Foods with a soft texture, which aren’t very hot in temperature, are easiest to tolerate. Plain yogurt, porridge, scrambled eggs, smooth soups, soft-cooked vegetables, such as potatoes, butternut squash and carrots, smoothies, and ice pops should make for suitable choices. Sipping on warmed drinks, such as herbal teas, may give a little relief while also helping to keep adequately hydrated.

Hard, rough-edged foods, such as crackers and cereal, are best avoided as they will be painful to swallow. Carbonated drinks along with spicy and acidic foods should be limited as they will cause increased irritation. Salty foods can also be irritating to a sensitive throat. In place of salt in a savoury dish, enhance the flavours with lots of fresh herbs and black pepper.

Choose dishes, such as this delicious chicken orzo soup, which are bursting with vitamins and minerals that support the immune system but are also comforting to consume. These ice-pops are packed with antioxidant-boosting honey, vitamin C-rich raspberries and vitamin D-rich milk, all of which support the immune system and are nutritionally beneficial to a sore throat sufferer. Tonsillitis will normally run its course over a few days.

Chicken orzo soup

Ingredients: Serves 4

50g butter

3 carrots, peeled and finely diced

1 onion, peeled and finely diced

1 stick of celery, peeled and finely diced

4 cloves garlic, crushed

Few sprigs of thyme, leaves only

½ tsp turmeric

Freshly ground pepper

2 chicken fillets

1lt hot chicken stock

100g orzo

Method

1 Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a low heat. When it begins to foam add the carrots, onion, and celery. Stir to combine with the butter.

2 Place a butter wrapper or a piece of greaseproof paper over the vegetables, to help them sweat. Cover with the lid of the saucepan. Sweat over a low heat for about 10 minutes, making sure the vegetables don’t stick to the bottom of the saucepan.

3 When the vegetables are soft but not coloured, add the garlic, thyme, turmeric, and a few grinds of pepper. Stir to combine and add the chicken and stock. Continue to cook for 20 minutes.

4 Add the orzo and simmer for another 10 minutes. Remove the chicken fillets to a plate and using two forks shred the chicken and return it to the saucepan.

5 Pour the soup into serving bowls and garnish with a few thyme leaves.

Raspberry pops

Ingredients: Makes 6

300ml milk

200g raspberries

2tbsp honey

Method

1 Add the raspberries, milk and honey to a high-powered blender and blitz until smooth. Pass through a sieve into a bowl, discarding the seeds.

2 Stir the mixture well and divide between six ice-pop moulds and freeze for at least four hours.