When you get braces, your days of biting into whole apples, snacking on popcorn, and chewing on gum are temporarily on hold. Don’t worry though – there are countless braces-friendly foods that are delicious and nutritious. As a result, you can eat a well-balanced diet that never gets boring! To learn some meal and snack ideas (and why it’s essential to stay away from hard, crunchy, and sticky foods) read on.
Why It’s Important to Avoid Crunchy, Sticky, and Hard Foods
Before getting into a few braces-friendly snacks and meals, it’s crucial to discuss why the dietary restrictions are important. In short, the changes to your diet are meant to protect you; they are designed to reduce your chances of experiencing an orthodontic emergency. After all, hard and crunchy foods are much more likely to result in a broken or loose bracket. Similarly, sticky foods, like caramel, can cling to your teeth, increasing your chances of developing a cavity. So, for the sake of your braces and your overall oral health, it’s best to opt for braces-friendly meals and snacks instead.
5 Braces-Friendly Snacks
Fortunately, you can enjoy a varied, nutrient-dense, and delicious diet even without the previously mentioned hard, sticky, and crunchy foods! If you get hungry between meals, then consider reaching for:
- Yogurt
- Scrambled eggs
- Cheese cubes
- Smoothies
- Canned or soft fruit
5 Braces-Friendly Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner don’t have to be boring just because you have braces! Here are a few meal ideas to keep your stomach full and your braces intact:
- Vegetable soup
- Pasta (i.e., lasagna, macaroni & cheese, spaghetti)
- Lean protein, like fish, with rice and cooked vegetables
- Pancakes
- Oatmeal
When you first get the list of dietary restrictions from your orthodontist, you may wonder what you can eat. The good news is that there are countless braces-friendly meals and snacks to choose from. Use the above lists to spark some inspiration!
About the Practice
At Super Braces, our core values are super convenience, super comfortable, super quality, and super value. To accomplish the last one, we provide custom treatment plans, welcome all dental insurances, and prioritize patient education. If you have any questions before, during, or after your time with braces, our team is here for you. So, if you want to learn more about life with braces or want to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (508) 909-6719.