Eating with Braces Made Easy: A Complete Guide for Every Meal

So your orthodontist has prescribed you braces. You are up for the treatment. You are happy knowing your teeth or jaw alignment will restore and you will get back to your confident self. However, along with the change of smiles, you also need to adjust to a new brace-friendly diet. Right foods help you maintain the brackets and wires of braces.  But the wrong foods can also cause discomfort and unnecessarily extend your orthodontic treatment in Spokane Valley. Stick to this guide to adapt to braces or find brace-friendly meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks:

Foods to Avoid with Braces

You may need to say goodbye to some foods as they raise the risk of causing harm to braces. Find the list of such food items below:

• Hard foods like nuts, popcorn, ice, and raw vegetables
• Sticky foods like caramel, gum, taffy, and chewy candies 
• Crunchy snacks like chips, pretzels, and crackers
• Chewy meats like steak, jerky, and tough meats
• Sugary foods like soda, candies, and sweets 

Braces-Friendly Breakfast Ideas

Starting the day with soft, nutritious foods prevents discomfort with braces while providing you with essential nutrients, and energy. The best in this category are:

• Scrambled eggs with cheese and avocado
• Oatmeal with mashed bananas and cinnamon
• Yogurt with soft berries and honey
• Smoothies made with yogurt, fruits, and peanut butter
• Whole wheat pancakes with almond butter

Lunch Ideas for Braces Wearer

Lunch must be simple but filling. The best lunch options are those that contain a great amount of protein. Some of the greatest protein-packed lunch options are:

• Turkey or chicken on soft bread with avocado
• Pasta with marinara or Alfredo sauce
• Mashed potatoes with steamed veggies
• Rice bowls with shredded chicken and sautéed vegetables
• Soft tacos with ground beef or beans and cheese

Dinner Options That Won’t Damage Braces

Balanced and braces-friendly dinner ideas are:

• Grilled salmon with mashed sweet potatoes
• Soft-cooked pasta with creamy pesto sauce
• Meatloaf with steamed carrots and mashed cauliflower
• Chicken and rice casserole with melted cheese
• Lentil soup with whole-grain bread

Snack Ideas That Won’t Harm Braces

You might feel hungry between your meals. Pick your snack from the list mentioned below as snacks to curb hunger:

• Applesauce instead of whole apples
• Hummus with soft pita bread
• Cheese sticks or yogurt
• Peanut butter on a banana
• Soft granola bars

3 Easy Recipes for Braces-Friendly Meals

1. Creamy Banana Oatmeal

Ingredients:

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 cup milk or water

Mash 1 banana

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

• Cook oats with milk or water until soft.
• Add in mashed banana, honey, and cinnamon.
• Serve warm.

2. Soft Chicken and Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked rice

1/2 cup shredded chicken

1/2 cup steamed broccoli

1/4 cup shredded cheese

1/4 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Combine all ingredients in a baking dish.
• Bake 15 minutes until cheese is melted.

3. Berry Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup yogurt

1/2 cup strawberries

1/2 cup blueberries

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 cup milk

Instructions

• Mix all ingredients until smooth.
• Serve cold.

Braces improve smiles, but healthy eating habits make the ride smooth. Soft, healthy brace-friendly diet helps you avoid damage and maintain treatment on course. Choosing wisely cuts down on physical discomfort and keeps braces in prime condition. For more personalized guidance on braces, contact our team for orthodontic treatment in Spokane Valley.