What should I eat if I have Streptococcus?: A nutritional guide for strep throat relief

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), viruses cause most sore throats, but a small percentage are bacterial infections, including strep throat caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. If you find yourself in this situation and are asking, "What should I eat if I have Streptococcus?", the answer lies in focusing on soothing, easy-to-swallow foods and fluids to ease discomfort and support your body's healing process.

Quick Summary

Manage strep throat symptoms by eating a diet of soft, hydrating, and nutritious foods that are easy to swallow. Soothe your throat with items like soups, yogurt, and warm tea, and stay well-hydrated to aid recovery. Avoid foods that are hard, spicy, or acidic, as they can cause further irritation and pain.

Key Points

Embrace Softness: Choose foods with soft textures, such as soups, broths, mashed potatoes, and eggs, to make swallowing easier and less painful.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids like water, herbal teas with honey, and low-acid juices to prevent dehydration and keep your throat moist.
Use Temperature to Soothe: Experiment with both warm foods (like tea and soup) and cold foods (like popsicles and frozen yogurt) to find what offers the most relief.
Avoid Irritants: Steer clear of hard, crunchy, spicy, and acidic foods and beverages that can irritate your inflamed throat and worsen symptoms.
Consider Probiotics and Immunity Boosters: Incorporate foods like yogurt with probiotics and nutrient-dense options to support your immune system during recovery.
Follow Medical Advice: A healthy diet is a supportive measure, not a cure. Always take your prescribed antibiotics as directed by your doctor.

Understanding Strep Throat and Your Diet

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can cause your throat to become swollen, inflamed, and painful, making it difficult to swallow. While antibiotics are necessary to treat the infection, your diet can play a crucial role in managing the symptoms and ensuring you get the nutrients you need to recover. The goal of your diet during this time is to soothe the throat, maintain hydration, and provide energy without causing further irritation.

Soothing and Soft Foods to Prioritize

Eating soft, easy-to-swallow foods is key to preventing additional pain and discomfort. You can also take advantage of both warm and cold temperatures to find what provides the most relief.

Soups and Broths

Warm soups and broths are a classic remedy for a reason. The warm liquid is naturally soothing and can help clear congestion by thinning mucus. Opt for nutrient-rich, broth-based soups with soft, well-cooked vegetables and lean protein. Homemade chicken soup is often recommended for its comforting and anti-inflammatory properties.

Dairy Products (with caution)

Many dairy products are soft, cool, and easy to consume. Yogurt, in particular, contains probiotics that support gut health and your immune system, which can be helpful after taking antibiotics. Some people feel that milk and dairy products can increase the sensation of thicker mucus. If this is the case for you, consider limiting your intake or choosing plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk. Frozen yogurt and ice cream can also provide a numbing, cooling sensation to relieve pain temporarily.

Soft Fruits and Smoothies

Soft fruits are excellent sources of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support your immune system. Bananas are especially easy on the throat, while fruit purees like applesauce or ripe melon are also good choices. A smoothie can be a complete meal replacement when you have no appetite, blending soft fruits with yogurt or a milk alternative for a nutritious drink.

Cooked Grains and Starches

Soft-cooked cereals like oatmeal or grits can be very comforting and easy to swallow. Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes are also great options, providing essential nutrients like vitamin C and potassium.

Eggs

Scrambled or soft-boiled eggs are a great source of protein and other nutrients, and their soft texture makes them easy to consume when swallowing is painful. Poached eggs are another good choice for their soft, runny consistency.

Gelatin Desserts and Popsicles

For an easy, hydrating, and soothing treat, consider gelatin desserts (like Jell-O) or popsicles made from 100% fruit juice. The cold temperature can help reduce swelling and numb the throat.

Hydrating and Soothing Beverages

Staying hydrated is crucial for fighting infection and keeping your throat moist to ease swallowing.

Water: Plain water is the most important fluid for hydration. Sucking on ice cubes can also help soothe and numb your throat.
Warm Herbal Tea: Teas like ginger, chamomile, or peppermint have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Adding a teaspoon of honey (for adults and children over one year) can coat the throat and act as a natural antibacterial agent.
Low-Acid Juices: If you want juice, stick to low-acid options like apple juice, as high-acid varieties can irritate your throat.

What to Avoid Eating and Drinking

Certain foods and drinks can worsen strep throat symptoms by causing irritation or increasing inflammation.

Hard, Crunchy Foods: Avoid anything with sharp edges or a rough texture that can scratch or irritate your inflamed throat. This includes crackers, chips, nuts, dry toast, and raw vegetables.
Acidic Foods and Juices: Highly acidic items can cause a burning sensation. Steer clear of citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruit), tomatoes, and juices made from them.
Spicy Foods: Hot sauce, chili powder, and other spicy seasonings can increase pain and inflammation, so keep your meals bland for now.
Alcohol: Alcohol is acidic and can be dehydrating, which will worsen your sore throat.
Very Hot Foods and Drinks: While warmth can be soothing, excessively hot items can cause further irritation.
Caffeine: Drinks like coffee can be dehydrating and are best avoided.

Comparison of Recommended and Avoided Foods


Recommended/Soothing Foods	Foods to Avoid/Irritating Foods
Warm Broth & Soups: Provide nutrients and hydration.	Hard/Crunchy Foods: Crackers, nuts, chips, and dry toast.
Mashed Potatoes: Soft, easy to swallow, and nutritious.	Acidic Foods: Citrus fruits/juices, tomatoes, and vinegar.
Yogurt & Smoothies: Contain probiotics and vitamins.	Spicy Foods: Hot sauces and chili powder.
Scrambled/Soft-Boiled Eggs: Soft protein source.	Very Hot Foods: Can cause further irritation.
Oatmeal/Cooked Cereal: Warm and easy to consume.	Alcohol: Dehydrating and acidic.
Honey & Herbal Tea: Soothing properties, antibacterial benefits.	Caffeinated Beverages: Can be dehydrating.
Popsicles & Gelatin: Cooling relief and hydration.	Raw, Hard Vegetables: Carrots, celery, etc..

Medical Treatment is Essential

While diet can help manage symptoms, it is not a cure for a bacterial infection like strep throat. Following your doctor's instructions and completing the full course of antibiotics is essential to fully recover and prevent complications, such as rheumatic fever. If you don't start to feel better a day or two after starting antibiotics, contact your healthcare provider. For general health advice on strep throat, the Mayo Clinic is an excellent resource.

Conclusion

Proper nutrition during a strep throat infection focuses on consuming soft, nutrient-rich, and hydrating foods that will not irritate your sore throat. Prioritizing items like warm broths, yogurt, smoothies, and soft-cooked foods can provide comfort and sustenance, while avoiding acidic, spicy, and hard foods will prevent further pain. Always remember that a supportive diet complements, but does not replace, the prescribed medical treatment for Streptococcus infections. Combining smart dietary choices with plenty of rest and hydration is your best strategy for a swift and comfortable recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best foods are soft and easy to swallow, such as warm broths and soups, mashed potatoes, cooked cereals like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, yogurt, and smoothies.

Yes, you should avoid acidic foods and juices, including citrus fruits and tomatoes, as they can irritate your already inflamed throat and cause a burning sensation.

For most people, dairy is fine. Cold milk, frozen yogurt, or ice cream can even be soothing. However, if you feel dairy makes your mucus feel thicker, you can opt for dairy-free alternatives.

Honey is known for its antibacterial properties and can be very soothing for a sore throat when added to warm tea or water. It should not be given to children under 12 months old.

Chicken soup is helpful because its warm broth provides hydration and can help clear congestion. It is also a soft and nutritious food that is easy to eat when you are sick.

In addition to plain water, you can drink warm herbal tea (like ginger or chamomile) with honey, and low-acid juices such as apple juice.

You should avoid hard and crunchy items like crackers, chips, nuts, pretzels, and dry toast. These can scratch your tender throat and cause pain when swallowing.