Can a 13-year-old with mumps eat tangyuan (glutinous rice balls)?

For a 13-year-old patient with mumps, whether to eat tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) should be carefully considered. During mumps, the parotid glands swell and may be accompanied by pain, so special attention should be paid to diet in order to avoid worsening symptoms. Tangyuan are mainly made from glutinous rice; their outer layer is relatively sticky, and they often contain sweet fillings, which may increase saliva secretion, thereby stimulating the parotid glands and leading to increased swelling and pain. Additionally, tangyuan are relatively difficult to digest and may place additional strain on the gastrointestinal system of mumps patients, which is not conducive to recovery. Therefore, it is recommended that 13-year-old patients with mumps avoid eating tangyuan during the illness and instead choose light, easily digestible, non-irritating foods such as porridge, noodles, and milk to maintain nutritional balance and promote recovery.