As a parent, you probably know first-hand just how picky children can be when it comes to eating—and you might go to great lengths just to find simple choices for your kiddo to snack on at lunch during school. That said, if your child has braces, you mightfeel like your options are even more limited; however, this is not the case at all! In reality, all sorts of food options are both tasty and braces-friendly, and some that even the pickiest of eaters will find themselves craving. Keep reading to learn about a few great braces-friendly lunch options, along with some things that shouldn’t be included.
Braces-Friendly Foods for School Lunches
Foods that are softer in texture, while still being high in nutritional value, are ideal options to include in your kid’s lunch. Some good options include:
- Tuna, chicken, or egg salad
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
- Applesauce, yogurt, pudding, and Jello
- Cottage cheese and string cheese
- Avocados, bananas, grapes, and other soft fruits and veggies
- Cooked pasta, rice, or quinoa
- Chilis and soups
- Soft granola bars
- Soft-crust pizza
Foods That Should Be Avoided
The general rule of thumb when eating with braces is to avoid anything particularly hard, crunchy, or chewy. The reasoning for this is simple; these items have the potential to cause damage to the brackets or wires, which ultimately sets back orthodontic progress! Needless to say, they should be avoided when possible. Some examples of these items include:
- Raw, crunchy fruits and veggies like apples, pears, carrots, and celery
- Hard, shelled nuts like pistachios, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and similar items
- Corn on the cob
- Popcorn
- Tough, chewy meats like steak, pork chops, chicken wings, and ribs
- Chewy, sticky candy like taffy, caramel, and licorice
- Hard candy like lollipops, jawbreakers, and gumballs
- Sports drinks that are high in sugar
Even though some of these items are notably healthy, like fruits and veggies, it’s important to be mindful of how they interact with the metal brackets and wires of braces. That said, certain items can be cut into bite-sized pieces and slices.
The bottom line is that when it comes to school lunches, it’s easy to keep things healthy, tasty, and braces-friendly! With a little bit of creativity, your child will look forward to lunchtime every day.
About the Practice
Our team here at Simply Orthodontics Grafton has proudly served the needs of patients and families in the Grafton, MA community for several years. We’re excited to offer a wide range of orthodontic services for patients of all ages, including traditional metal braces as well as clear aligner options like Invisalign. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to arrange a visit for your child, feel free to contact our team online or over the phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 839-9350.