La Mesa, CA – Do you wear braces? If so, chances are you’ve spent a bit of time stressing over what you can and can’t eat. It can be hard, determining if something you eat might damage your braces. Dr. Santiago Surillo, a La Mesa orthodontist, has put together this handy list of snacks braces patients can take with them when on the go.
- Soft fruits – pack a banana, or a bag of grapes or blueberries to throw in your backpack. An orange or grapefruit is also another good option.
- Soft vegetables – skip the baby carrots and celery (too hard and can cause damage to your braces), and opt instead for slices of cucumber or bell peppers.
- Fruit cups – look for fruit cocktails packed in their natural juice or water, and you can enjoy some of your favorite fruits without worrying about damaging brackets or wires.
- Pudding cups – we all have a sweet tooth, and pudding cups offer a great portion that can satisfy your sweet tooth without causing damage.
- Walnuts – if you crave something with a bit of crunch and salt, walnuts are a soft nut that can satisfy the craving.
- Soft granola bars – as long as there are no large nut pieces, softer granola bars are great to have on hand when hunger strikes.
- Yogurt – yogurt can help satisfy a sweet craving, and has the benefit of being high in calcium to keep your enamel strong.
- String cheese – like yogurt, string cheese offers the benefit of added calcium, and it’s handy to throw in your bag.
- Apple sauce – grab an applesauce cup to throw in your bag to satisfy a sweet craving, without damaging braces.
- Smoothies – mix up a healthy smoothie loaded with your favorite fruits and vegetables before you head out for the day and you’ll be all set.
“Often, patients who wear braces can get caught up in all the things they can’t eat, rather than focusing on all of the things they can still enjoy,” says Dr. Santiago Surillo. “Snacking may take a bit more planning than before, but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy great food. Just snack wisely and avoid anything too crunchy or chewy. And if you ever have any questions, our office is always here to help you.”
Eating can still be enjoyable, even while wearing braces. While your orthodontist may tell you that crunching down on popcorn or chips, or chew your favorite gum or taffy, that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy many of the same foods you did before. Eating with braces can be tricky, but if you take a bit of time to think and plan, you’ll get used to it in no time.