Between school, sports
practices, extracurricular activities, homework, and hanging out with friends
and family, teens tend to have a lot on their plates.
They need healthy (and tasty)
meals and snacks to keep them going. When you throw braces into the mix, weekly
menus have to change a little bit. But don’t let that discourage you! There are
plenty of braces-friendly substitutes for most of teens’ favorite foods.
At Stieper & Brust Orthodontics, we
know it can be a little discouraging to have to avoid certain foods while
you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. But don’t worry! There are lots of fun
foods you can have with braces on.
Some of those snacks include:
- Mac &
cheese
- Smoothies
- Ice cream
- Yogurt
- Soups
- Chocolate like
M&Ms, Kit Kats, Reese’s Pieces
- Soft Cookies
Remember to avoid anything
sticky, or small that could get stuck in your brackets, like jelly beans,
caramel, Starbursts, etc. If you or your child has a craving for something they
should be avoiding, try a flavored pudding as a substitute, like caramel or hot
fudge flavored pudding.
Dr. Brad Stieper says, “"We
want everyone to still enjoy things they love, especially with the summer
months coming up! You can still enjoy camping and cookouts, just take the corn
off the cob first! Cut apples and carrots into pieces and use your back teeth
to chew. When all else fails, try one of my favorite smoothie recipes, no
chewing required."
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
·
2
cups frozen strawberries
·
1
fresh banana, peeled
·
1 cup
milk
·
1 cup
ice
·
1
tablespoon honey, if you like it a little sweeter
Blend all ingredients until
smooth and enjoy!
Lastly, remember that not all
crunchy foods are bad! For instance, walnuts are a softer nut that can be eaten
safely. Small crackers can satisfy your crunchy and salty cravings, too. Soft
granola bars are also an option, as long as proper brushing happens after
eating.
If you have Invisalign clear aligners, remember to take out your aligners when you eat, and be sure to brush
thoroughly afterwards to remove any food particles from your teeth.
Ask
Your Orthodontist about Your Eating Habits
Still not sure what you
should be avoiding when you have braces or Invisalign? The key as with most
things is to enjoy in moderation. Eating the wrong thing can cause broken
brackets, which can cause unnecessary appointments and an added cost, and nobody
wants that!
Ask your orthodontist for
more suggestions! You might realize you can enjoy more salty, sweet, crunchy
foods than you originally thought!