If your child just got braces, their life will be much different for the next couple of years. The primary change will come with the foods they eat while the braces correct their teeth. They’ll be unable to have some delicious treats they enjoy, such as caramel. The good news is there are many good things they can have. Here are the kinds of foods you can eat with braces.
1. Breakfast Foods
Kids with braces will ideally eat soft and chewy foods, which will help if they feel any pain. Breakfast fits the bill nicely with items like waffles, pancakes and French toast. These foods require little effort to chew. Oatmeal is another good option because of its softness.
Eggs are a high-protein food with numerous vitamins and are easy to chew. Other breakfast foods like yogurt require minimal or no chewing because it’s already somewhat liquefied.
You can make your child a breakfast smoothie for a quick meal that requires no cooking. Combine milk, peanut butter and banana chunks into a blender and mix it up. Shakes are easy on the teeth, making them one of many braces-friendly recipes you can have with breakfast. Pair it with a reusable straw, which will help if your kid has rubber bands or aligners. They’re also environmentally friendly.
2. Lunch Ideas
You might want to consider packing your child’s lunch for them because there’s no guarantee the school cafeteria will serve foods they can eat with braces. A staple is an American classic: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Nut butter is a terrific protein source that’s easy to eat. Combine it with their favorite jelly on whole-grain bread for a nutritious, delicious sandwich.
You can also make a sandwich with soft lunch meat like ham, turkey or tuna salad. For a side, you can give them mozzarella cheese sticks, gelatin cups, yogurt, applesauce and more.
3. Dinner Recipes
You can still make your child’s favorite dinners with braces-friendly recipes. Soup can be a mainstay if that’s something they like. A hot bowl of soup will soften meat, vegetables and grains and make them easier to chew. Soups are a great way to incorporate healthy meals in a tasty way, especially during the cold winter months.
Sometimes meat can be tough to chew, especially for children with braces. This presents an excellent opportunity to introduce them to tofu and other plant-based alternatives. Tofu is made from soybeans and is a terrific protein source that Japanese people have been consuming for thousands of years. Burgers made from beans are soft and taste similar to a beef version.
There are opportunities to have meat if you want to provide it for your child. Fish like salmon is typically tender and easy to chew. Boneless, skinless chicken is an excellent protein option, and you can make it easier for your child by shredding it. Shredding is a practical option for most meats, especially beef that tends to be on the chewy side.
4. Snacks
Snacks are essential for kids who want a tasty treat to satisfy their cravings between meals. As great as potato chips can taste, they aren’t the best option for kids with braces. Fruits will be one of their best choices. The best ones include bananas, pears and berries. Fruits in a cup, such as mandarin oranges, are practical because they’re soft and easy to carry in a lunchbox.
Hummus is a delicious snack your child may love. Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip made from chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice and spices. Typically you’d eat it with crackers or a raw vegetable like a carrot. Instead, opt for soft pita bread.
5. Desserts
The kids deserve a sweet treat now and then, right? Your child can still have dessert with braces. When you think of soft dessert food, you may think of ice cream. That’s an excellent choice for kids who want something soft when their mouth is hurting. Opt for soft cookies because they taste great and harder ones can take a toll on their teeth. Other options your child may enjoy include pudding, gelatin and muffins.
6. Foods to Avoid
Avoiding foods is no fun, especially if they taste great and your child enjoys them. However, out of necessity, you should steer clear of certain things because they can damage braces and teeth. Some of these foods include:
- Taffy and caramel: It’s no secret that kids like candy, but they should refrain from eating taffy and caramel. These two are quite sticky and can get stuck in your child’s braces, making cleaning their teeth much more challenging. Sometimes, it can start pulling the braces off the teeth.
- Raw vegetables: Some vegetables taste great when they’re raw. Baby carrots, celery and broccoli are delicious snacks you can dip in a dressing. However, they’re too crunchy and can break the braces. You can cut the veggies up or roast them in the oven to make them softer.
- Bubble gum: This may be heartbreaking to hear, but your kid should avoid chewing gum when they have braces. Like taffy and caramel, bubble gum is another chewy candy that can mess up the braces. It can bend the wires and mess up the brackets if it gets stuck. Trying to fix it could be messy and pricey.
Braces-Friendly Foods for Your Child
Getting braces is something a lot of kids go through. Your child may have to wear these dental tools for two years, so they’ll have to adjust to life with them on their teeth. One significant change comes with food. They’ll have to eat softer items and avoid super chewy and crunchy food because they can damage the braces. You can help them through it, though — and they might even discover some new favorite foods.
