The Medical Scoop: Why Do Doctors Suggest to Eat Ice Cream?

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

While often viewed as a simple indulgence, ice cream can serve a very specific medical purpose, which is exactly why doctors suggest to eat ice cream in certain, limited health scenarios. A common instance is post-operative recovery, where its cold and soft properties offer a unique therapeutic benefit.

Quick Summary

Doctors sometimes recommend ice cream for short-term relief following procedures like oral surgery or a tonsillectomy, leveraging its cold, numbing effect on a sore throat. It can also provide a manageable source of calories and hydration for patients with reduced appetites. This specific, temporary recommendation is not a blanket endorsement for regular, high-sugar consumption.

Key Points

Oral Surgery Recovery: Post-tooth extraction or tonsillectomy, the cold temperature numbs pain and reduces swelling, while the soft texture prevents irritation to the healing site.
Sore Throat Relief: The cool, smooth consistency of ice cream offers temporary soothing for a painful or inflamed throat.
Calorie and Hydration Boost: For sick patients with a poor appetite, ice cream provides an easy-to-consume source of calories and fluid.
Specialized Nutritional Support: Medically formulated ice creams can be fortified with essential nutrients for at-risk patients needing extra support during recovery.
Moderation is Key: These medical recommendations are specific and temporary; regular, excessive ice cream consumption is not advised for general health.
Consider Alternatives: For recovery, plain, smooth varieties or lower-sugar, non-dairy options may be preferable to avoid inflammation.

The Therapeutic Role of a Chilled Treat

For most people, ice cream is a dessert, but in the medical world, it can become a tool for managing specific symptoms and supporting recovery. This recommendation is always short-term and targeted, and it's important to understand the specific situations where it applies. A doctor's suggestion to eat ice cream is not a green light for daily indulgence but a strategic part of a temporary diet plan.

Post-Oral Surgery Care

Following dental procedures, such as a tooth extraction or oral surgery, the mouth is often tender, swollen, and painful. This is a primary instance where doctors and dentists advise consuming cold, soft foods, with ice cream being a prime example.

Numbing Pain: The cold temperature acts like an ice pack, numbing the surgical site and providing temporary pain relief.
Reducing Swelling: By constricting blood vessels in the affected area, the coldness can help minimize swelling and inflammation, which are natural parts of the healing process.
Preventing Complications: Its soft texture eliminates the need for chewing, which prevents irritation to the healing site and reduces the risk of dislodging the crucial blood clot that forms after an extraction, a painful condition known as "dry socket".
Easy to Swallow: When the jaw is sore, swallowing can be difficult. Ice cream is a smooth, easy-to-manage food that can be enjoyed slowly.

Soothing a Sore Throat

For conditions like tonsillitis or a general sore throat, the cooling effect of ice cream is a well-known home remedy that also has a medical basis.

Temporary Relief: The chill can provide soothing, temporary relief from throat pain and discomfort.
Hydration: When swallowing is painful, it is easy to become dehydrated. Ice cream contains a significant amount of water, providing both fluid and calories.
Nutritional Intake: For some, a sore throat significantly reduces appetite. Ice cream offers an accessible way to get some calories and nutrients, especially for those who can't tolerate other foods.

Nutritional Support for Weakened Patients

In certain cases, a doctor's recommendation for ice cream is less about the cold and more about the caloric and nutritional content. This is particularly relevant for patients who are struggling with a significantly reduced appetite.

Calorie Density: For individuals needing to gain weight or simply maintain energy levels during recovery from a serious illness or procedure, ice cream offers a calorie-dense option that is palatable.
Encourages Eating: After a period of illness, anesthesia, or pain, a patient might have little interest in food. A familiar and pleasant treat like ice cream can encourage eating when other options are unappealing.
Nutrient Fortification: Some specialized medical or dietary ice creams, such as Thrive Ice Cream, are fortified with extra protein, vitamins, and minerals specifically for at-risk individuals needing nutritional support.

Important Considerations and Alternatives

While ice cream can be beneficial in these specific scenarios, it is not a cure-all. The high sugar content in many store-bought varieties can cause issues, including potential inflammation. Therefore, medical professionals often emphasize moderation and specific choices. When advising a patient, a doctor will consider the overall dietary context and any pre-existing conditions, like diabetes.

For best results during recovery, a patient might be advised to opt for:

Plain, smooth varieties without crunchy mix-ins like nuts or candy.
Lower-sugar or dairy-free options if sensitivity is a concern.
Sorbets or fruit ice lollies for hydration and lower fat content.

Medical vs. Recreational Ice Cream Consumption


Aspect	Medical Recommendation (Short-Term)	General Consumption (Recreational)
Purpose	Symptom relief (pain, swelling), hydration, calorie intake	Indulgence, dessert, pleasure
Duration	Limited to the initial recovery phase (24–48 hours post-op)	Occasional treat, enjoyed in moderation
Type of Ice Cream	Plain, smooth, potentially low-sugar or specialized formulas	Any variety, often high in sugar and fat
Key Benefit	Soothing, anti-inflammatory effect, caloric support	Mood-boosting (dopamine release)
Overall Health Impact	Beneficial for temporary recovery in specific cases	Can contribute to negative health outcomes if consumed excessively

Conclusion: A Tool, Not a Health Food

So, why do doctors suggest to eat ice cream? The answer is nuanced and entirely dependent on the context. It is not a superfood but a practical, soft-textured, cold food that can offer tangible, short-term benefits for pain relief, swelling reduction, and nutritional support during sensitive recovery periods. When used medically, it is a targeted treatment, a small part of a larger recovery plan. For the generally healthy population, ice cream should be enjoyed in moderation as a treat, not a health food. Ultimately, understanding the "why" behind the doctor's suggestion helps appreciate the specific and valuable role that a simple scoop of ice cream can play in the healing process.

For more information on the effects of diet after surgery, consulting a resource like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is always recommended for authoritative guidance on recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ice cream can provide temporary relief for a sore throat because its cold temperature helps to numb the pain. However, the high sugar content in some varieties might increase inflammation, so low-sugar or fruit-based alternatives are often better.

After a tooth extraction, dentists recommend ice cream because the cold helps numb the area and reduce swelling, similar to an ice pack. Its soft texture also means no chewing is required, protecting the delicate blood clot that aids healing.

Yes, doctors often suggest ice cream after a tonsillectomy. The coolness is soothing to the throat and helps manage pain. Opt for smooth, plain ice cream to avoid irritating the area.

For patients who struggle to drink enough fluids due to a sore throat or nausea, ice cream can serve as a hydrating alternative. While not a primary hydration source, its fluid and calorie content can be beneficial when other options are unpalatable.

Doctors typically advise a plain, smooth variety of ice cream, as chunky toppings or nuts can be irritating or difficult to swallow. Low-sugar versions or fortified medical ice creams may also be recommended depending on the patient's needs.

No, a doctor's recommendation for ice cream is a specific, short-term measure for recovery, not a general health guideline. The context is crucial; it's a medical tool for pain, swelling, and caloric intake during a limited period.

Yes, for individuals who have a poor appetite due to illness, the calorie density and palatability of ice cream can be a simple way to increase caloric intake and help with weight gain. However, this should be done under a doctor's guidance.