Braces are a right-of-passage for tweens and often necessary for straight teeth and a “Farrah Fawcett” stunning smile. However, they can really put a damper on your diet due the restrictions they impose on your mouth. Typically, orthodontists provide a list of “off-limit” foods for patients, but it’s also a good idea to know what types of soft foods are out there before you find yourself with a sore mouth and nothing in your kitchen to eat!
Breakfast
• Smoothies: This is a great option because the cold smoothie may help with any discomfort caused by the braces (especially in the first week). You can also stock up ahead of time and mix things up with different recipes. Check out this Pinterest Board HERE for some great smoothie recipes.
• Eggs: Scrambled eggs are the easiest to eat, but any style should work with braces. Try making this braces-friendly Egg Breakfast Casserole!
• Yogurt: Not an egg fan? Yogurt is another easy and soft breakfast food to try. We suggest mixing Greek yogurt with honey, shredded coconut, peanut butter, raspberries or chocolate chips for a tasty breakfast treat!
Lunch
• Sandwiches: There’s no better lunch item than a sandwich, but not all sandwiches make our list! The key is they have to be soft. That’s why we suggest grilled cheese and tea sandwiches for our braces-friendly list! Check out this Pinterest Board HERE for a variety of different grilled cheese recipes or click HERE to try making Lemony Cucumber Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches.
• Vegetables and Hummus: This one is tricky because some vegetables can be very harmful to braces and are on the “off-limits” list. However, if they are prepared correctly, they can be taken off that list. Cucumbers and pepper slices are great options, and carrots can be if they are cut into “ribbons”. Watch this video on how to prepare carrot ribbons HERE.
Dinner
• Quinoa: Quinoa is a great option because it’s small enough that it doesn’t get stuck in your braces and it contains a fair amount of protein as a bonus. Keep in mind what other ingredients go into your recipes when making quinoa so that they are braces-friendly too! Try this Artichoke and Quinoa Salad recipe.
• Soup: Although this might seem like a no-brainer to most, we wanted to list it anyways. Soup is a great option for people who have braces because it is easy to eat and there are so many different kinds. Most people think of soup as being hot, but we suggest trying this cold soup recipe (especially in the summer!) to help numb discomfort in your mouth due to braces.
• Rice: No we don’t mean plain white rice – this one made the list because it can be spiced up! Rice is a great option, because like quinoa, it doesn’t get stuck in your braces and is a soft food. Check out this awesome Creamy Parmesan Rice for a yummy dinner option.
By Jennifer Reichhold
JUL
About the Author:
Dr. Gary Reichhold and his partner Dr. Stephen Tanner have been proudly serving families in Concord, Walnut Creek, Clayton, Pleasant Hill and the surrounding communities for over 20 years. Their office is conveniently located in central Contra Costa County and their experienced team is committed to providing you and your family with exceptional orthodontic care.