Did your child get braces? If so, then discovering which foods will provide them with stress-free snack time may present a bit of a learning curve. Before braces, your child was probably used to biting into their favorite sticky and crunchy snacks with ease. However, once children get braces, it's time to reconsider which snacks are best—snacks that won't cause them pain or damage new orthodontic devices.
Like with most things, braces take time to adjust to. New braces can make your child's teeth hurt, and eating with a sensitive mouth is not fun for anyone. While cutting up food into smaller pieces can help relieve some of the initial pain, it's best to find snack ideas that won't harm their teeth, gums or braces at all. Changing up the snacks your child eats and avoiding thick and chewy ingredients is just one of the many ways you can help them adjust to the new hardware in their mouth. Additionally, avoiding high-sugar snacks is key to preventing an excess of plaque buildup around brackets.
When discussing braces-friendly snacks, some options are better than others. Ensure that your child doesn't miss out on the fun of snack time by learning more about suitable snack ideas that will help keep them nourished while they're nursing a sore mouth.
Snacks to Avoid
Before we dive into all of the fantastic treats that your child can enjoy with their new braces, it's essential that we first discuss the snacks they should avoid. Knowing what foods to stay away from will help you better plan out snack time and avoid costly repairs.
While braces have become much sturdier in recent years, it's still important to avoid foods that could damage them. The wrong foods can damage wires, bands and the brackets themselves. In general, when creating a snack menu, it's recommended to bypass foods that are hard, sticky or chewy. Instead, you'll want to make sure your child's snacks are created with soft, wholesome foods that are gentle on the braces hardware.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
When shopping for snack foods and ingredients, here's a list of foods to avoid.
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Sticky and hard candy
- Gum
- Hard chips
- Marshmallows
- Pretzels
- Hard crackers and cookies
Foods to Modify with Braces
Foods that will need to be cut into bite-sized pieces include:
- Croutons
- Hard fruit
- Raw vegetables
- Meat
- Corn on the cob
- Burgers
Best Snacks for Kids with Braces
Now that we've covered what your child can't eat, it's time to discuss what they can! If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed right now, don't stress. There are several healthy and flavorful snack options that your child can enjoy with their new braces. Soft foods for braces like fruit, yogurt and cooked veggies are all excellent and nutritious options for your little one to snack on. To help you prepare snack time, we've listed a few of our favorite brace-friendly snacks below.
Protein
Protein is an essential part of any healthy diet, and snacks are an excellent source of this vital nutrient. By working protein into your child's snack recipe, you can ensure that they stay fueled and energized all day long.
Soft Protein Sources
Some of the best sources of protein for children with braces include:
- Yogurt
- Eggs
- Kefir
- Tofu
- Chopped Veggie Burgers
- Hummus
- Soup
- Smoothies
Brace-Approved Protein-Packed Snacks
Serve your children up a protein-packed treat that's soft on their teeth, and make one of the delicious recipes below.
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
One of the easiest ways to amp up the protein in your child's diet is by making them a delicious smoothie. Ideal as a midday snack, some smoothie recipes are so sweet they can double as a dessert. For a sweet treat that won't harm your child's braces, make this Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe. Made with soft whole foods like peanut butter, banana and honey, this recipe also uses our Whey Protein Powder for an added lift in protein. Just a few sips of this frosty-like, yummy treat will help your kid stay energized and focused all day long.
Mini Spring Vegetable Quiches
If you're searching for a more savory snack-time recipe, then look no further. These Mini Spring Vegetable Quiches are the ideal protein-filled snack that won't harm your child's dental hardware. Instead of baking the quiche on a traditional pie plate, these veggie quiches are baked in a mini tart pan, making it easy to serve them in a bite-sized fashion.
Grains
Grains are an excellent brace-friendly snack that your child can enjoy daily. While you'll want to stay away from dried, popped and crunchy grain-filled treats like granola, when cooked grains present a much softer texture that is safe for sensitive mouths and teeth. Create a snack time centered around oats by making a bowl of oatmeal or cooking them into a soft cookie. For a more refreshing snack, surprise your kiddo with their favorite pasta salad. Grain-based dishes like waffles and pancakes can be cooked or cut up into bite-sized pieces for a satisfyingly sweet snack that's both kid and dentist-approved.
Soft Grain Sources
Braces-friendly grain-based ingredients include:
- Pasta
- Oatmeal
- Whole Grain Bread
- Waffles
- Quinoa
- Barley
Grain-Based Snacks
For a wholesome snack that your child will love diving into, make one of the recipes below.
Banana Almond Overnight Quinoa with Chia Seeds
Switch up your weekday breakfast routine or mid-day snack time with this Banana Almond Overnight Quinoa. Easy to make the night beforehand, mix the ingredients, set them in the fridge overnight, and grab your quinoa when you and your little ones are ready to enjoy. Depending on your child's age and how many children you have, you can double up this recipe and serve it in a pudding-like fashion. An excellent way to incorporate more protein and fiber into your kid's snacks, this recipe is soft enough that it won't damage new braces.
Oatmeal Waffles
Take snack time to the next level and surprise your kids with these delicious Oatmeal Waffles. Though waffles might not come straight to mind when choosing healthy snack recipes, when made with natural ingredients like Gluten Free Quick Rolled Oats, this traditional breakfast dish is transformed into a nutritious snack that they can eat anytime. To make these waffles even easier to eat, cut them up into bite-sized pieces. Served with maple syrup, fresh fruit, honey or yogurt, snack time will quickly become your child's favorite part of the day.
Fruits and Vegetables
While it's important to choose snacks that won't damage your child's new braces, it's equally important to make sure your children are receiving all the nutrients they need from wholesome, healthy foods. Certain raw fruits and vegetables can be rough on your kid's sensitive mouth. However, this doesn't mean that you should cut them out altogether. Soft fruits and veggies like pears, bananas and mashed potatoes are healthy and soft snacks for braces that your child will enjoy. By choosing fruits and vegetables that are naturally soft or turning those that aren't into a more soothing dish, you can help your child continue to enjoy the foods they've always loved—just in a different form.
Soft Fruit and Vegetable Sources
Some soft fruit and vegetable snack ideas include:
- Applesauce
- Fruit cups
- Cooked vegetables
- Vegetable puree
- Melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, papaya, etc.)
Fruit and Veggies Recipes
Turn your child's all-time favorite fruits and veggies into a delicious snack by using one of the recipes below.
Gluten Free Lemon and Zucchini Muffins
For a flavorful snack combo that uses vegetables and fruit, make these Gluten Free Lemon and Zucchini Muffins. These tender, golden brown muffins are the perfect way to sneak vegetables into your kid's snacks without them ever noticing. Lightly sweetened with turbinado sugar, this recipe is sweet enough that it can double as dessert. Make a batch of these muffins early in the week and pack them with your children to enjoy on-the-go.
Adjusting to new braces isn't easy. If you've found learning what your child can and can't eat a bit overwhelming, we hope this article has eased some of that struggle. With braces comes many changes. While your child may need time to adjust to the new hardware in their mouth, braces shouldn't stop your kid from eating healthy snacks between meals. Stocking up on these braces-friendly snacks and creating the recipes listed above means you won't have to worry about any extra visits to the orthodontist this year. Use this list to double-check your current snack routine or to help you create an entirely new one. We're confident that the snacks you come up with will be delicious. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, have a healthy and happy day!
Eager to share more snacks for kids with braces? We'd love to hear the snacks your little ones enjoy at home. Let us know what braces-friendly snacks you create in the comments below.
