What can you eat when you have hand-foot-and-mouth disease?

January 6, 2026 •

4 min read

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) often causes painful mouth sores, making eating and drinking a challenge, especially for children. Therefore, it's essential to understand what you can eat when you have hand-foot-and-mouth disease to ensure adequate nutrition and hydration during recovery. Soothing options like soft, cool foods are your best allies in managing discomfort and preventing dehydration.

Quick Summary

The best foods for hand-foot-and-mouth disease are soft, cool, and bland to avoid irritating mouth sores. Focus on staying hydrated with non-acidic liquids and prioritize fluid intake over solid foods. Avoid spicy, hot, salty, and acidic items that can cause pain and discomfort.

Key Points

Prioritize Soft Foods: Choose items like yogurt, applesauce, and mashed potatoes that don't require much chewing and won't irritate mouth sores.
Embrace Cool and Cold Treats: Ice cream, sherbet, and popsicles are excellent for numbing the mouth and providing calories and fluids.
Stay Hydrated with Non-Acidic Liquids: Focus on cold water, milk, and smoothies while avoiding acidic juices and sodas that can sting.
Avoid Irritating Foods: Steer clear of hot, spicy, salty, and hard or crunchy foods, which can cause significant pain and discomfort.
Monitor for Dehydration: The main concern with HFMD is dehydration; watch for signs like dry lips and reduced urination, especially in children.
Be Creative with Fluid Intake: If normal drinking is difficult, use a medicine syringe, spoon, or different cup to ensure consistent fluid intake.

Why Eating is a Challenge with Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD), a common viral infection caused by coxsackievirus, leads to a distinctive rash on the hands and feet and painful sores inside the mouth, throat, and on the tongue. These mouth sores, or ulcers, are the primary reason why eating becomes a difficult and often painful experience. Swallowing is uncomfortable, and the act of chewing can exacerbate the pain. This pain can lead to a refusal to eat or drink, which poses a significant risk of dehydration, especially in young children. To combat this, the focus should be on soft, non-irritating foods and cool liquids that can help soothe the mouth and throat rather than cause more pain.

The Best Soft and Soothing Foods to Eat

When mouth sores make eating a struggle, prioritizing nutrition through soft, cool, and bland foods is crucial. These options are less likely to irritate sensitive oral tissues while providing necessary nutrients and energy for recovery. Cold and frozen foods can be especially soothing for the throat.

Cool dairy products: Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt with its high protein content, is an excellent choice. Cool milk, milkshakes, and cottage cheese are also gentle on the mouth.
Frozen treats: Ice cream and sherbet are classic comfort foods that numb the mouth and provide calories. Homemade fruit popsicles, made from diluted, non-acidic juices or pureed fruit, are also fantastic.
Smoothies and pureed foods: Smoothies made with milk, yogurt, and non-acidic fruits like bananas or melons are packed with nutrients. Applesauce, mashed potatoes, and pureed carrots or peas are great soft-food options that require little chewing.
Gentle grains: Smooth oatmeal or soft, overcooked pasta with a mild butter or plain broth sauce can be easy to swallow. Just ensure the temperature is not too hot.
Protein-rich foods: Scrambled eggs or soft tofu are easy to eat and provide essential protein for the immune system.
Hydrating liquids: Water, coconut water, and diluted, non-acidic juices are vital for preventing dehydration.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid

Just as important as knowing what to eat is knowing what to avoid. Certain foods and drinks can aggravate mouth sores, making the pain worse and hindering recovery.

Acidic items: Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons) and juices (orange juice, cranberry juice, lemonade), as well as tomatoes and soda, should be avoided. The acid will cause a painful stinging sensation on the ulcers.
Hot foods and beverages: Hot soups, teas, and other hot foods can increase pain and swelling in the mouth. Serve all foods and liquids lukewarm or chilled.
Salty and spicy foods: Salt and spices will irritate open sores, so stick to bland flavors. Avoid chips, seasoned crackers, and hot sauces.
Hard or crunchy foods: Anything that requires significant chewing or has a rough texture can scrape and worsen mouth ulcers. This includes toast, crusty bread, and crunchy snacks.

Comparison of Suitable vs. Irritating Foods


Suitable Foods (Cool, Soft, Bland)	Irritating Foods (Hot, Hard, Spicy, Acidic)
Yogurt	Orange Juice
Mashed Potatoes	Hot Soup
Applesauce	Spicy Tacos
Scrambled Eggs	Crusty Bread
Ice Cream	Salty Pretzels
Smoothies	Tomato Soup
Plain Pasta	Citrus Fruits
Cold Milk	Carbonated Soda

Tips for Ensuring Adequate Hydration

Dehydration is the biggest risk with HFMD, especially for children who refuse to drink due to mouth pain. If a child is refusing to drink from their regular cup or bottle, you may need to get creative. Offering small, frequent sips of fluid every 5–10 minutes can be more effective than trying to get them to drink a large amount at once. For infants, continuing to breastfeed is safe and provides both hydration and immunity. For toddlers who struggle with sucking due to painful sores, try offering liquids with a spoon, medicine syringe, or a cup with a free-flowing nipple. Focus on electrolyte-rich liquids like coconut water or diluted electrolyte drinks to help restore balance. Above all, monitor for signs of dehydration, such as dry lips or infrequent urination.

Conclusion

When navigating the discomfort of hand-foot-and-mouth disease, smart dietary choices can make a significant difference in recovery. The primary goals are to prevent dehydration and soothe painful mouth sores. By focusing on soft, cool, and non-irritating foods, you can ensure that you or your child receive the necessary nourishment to get better. Remember to prioritize fluid intake and be patient, as appetites may be low for several days. Always consult a healthcare professional if dehydration is a concern or if symptoms worsen. A soothing diet is a powerful tool in managing this common viral illness. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia offers further guidance on caring for a child with HFMD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, eating ice cream or other frozen treats is often recommended when you have hand-foot-and-mouth disease. The cold temperature helps to numb the mouth and soothe painful sores.

You should drink cool, non-acidic liquids such as water, milk, or coconut water. Avoid acidic beverages like orange juice, lemonade, and soda, as they can irritate mouth sores.

No, hot foods and beverages should be avoided. The heat can increase pain and swelling in the mouth and throat. It's best to serve all foods and drinks at room temperature or chilled.

Yes, it is very common to lose your appetite with HFMD due to the painful mouth sores. The priority is to maintain hydration, and it's acceptable for food intake to be lower for a few days.

No, spicy food should be avoided completely. Spices will cause a burning sensation on the already sensitive and blistered tissues inside your mouth.

If a child refuses to drink due to pain, try offering frequent, very small sips of cool liquid with a spoon or medicine syringe. If they continue to refuse fluids or show signs of dehydration like dry lips or lack of urination, contact a doctor.

Yes, breastfeeding is safe and encouraged if your baby has HFMD. Breast milk provides hydration and immune-boosting benefits. If latching is too painful, offer pumped milk by spoon or syringe.