Getting braces is an exciting commitment to your future! At Jaffe Orthodontics, we want you to have an excellent experience during your orthodontic treatment, even with the lifestyle adjustments that must be implemented. Temporary soreness and new hardware in your mouth mean you will need to change your eating habits for the duration of treatment. But adjusting to life with braces doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy food. There are plenty of delicious meals you can eat that are packed with flavor and gentle on your teeth. Try these simple, braces-friendly recipes to keep your mouth safe and your taste buds happy!
Braces-Friendly Breakfast Recipes
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups of Water
- 1.5 Cups 2% Milk
- 2 Cups Old-Fashioned Oats
- ½ Cup Butter, Cubed
- ½ Cup Packed Brown Sugar
- Dash of Ground Ginger
- Dash of Ground Nutmeg
- 2 Medium Firm Ripe Bananas, Sliced
- ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ Teaspoon Rum Extract
- Optional Toppings: Cinnamon sugar, sliced bananas, whipped cream
Directions:
- Bring water, milk, and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in oats, cooking for 5 minutes over medium heat. Cover and let stand.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and spices then bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes or until thickened. Add bananas and cook, stirring gently, until bananas are glazed and slightly softened (1-2 minutes)
- Remove from heat and stir in the extract. Stir the banana mixture into the oatmeal. Serve in a bowl and top with your choice of toppings.
Ingredients:
- 2 Bananas
- 15oz can peaches, undrained (or 2 cups fresh peach slices)
- 1.5 cups fresh or frozen berries
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup plain or flavored Greek yogurt
- Large handful of ice
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to the blender
- Blend until smooth. To thicken, add more ice. To thin, add more liquid
- Make it your own by adding a scoop of protein powder, different flavors of fruit, chia seeds, etc.
Braces-Friendly Lunch Recipes
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups of water
- 4 cups of milk
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk to combine.
- Add water and whisk until smooth. Add milk and continue whisking until smooth.
- Add salt, garlic powder, onion powder and whisk again.
- Add uncooked macaroni and increase heat to bring to a boil. Immediately turn down the heat and simmer while constantly stirring until the noodles are at the desired tenderness.
- Reduce heat to low, then stir in shredded cheese until smooth. Serve and enjoy!
Ingredients:
- Tortillas
- Ranch Dressing
- Deli sliced turkey meat
- Sliced Cheddar Cheese
- Bacon
- Shredded Lettuce
Directions:
- Lay out tortilla
- Spread 1 tablespoon of ranch dressing down the middle.
- Lay 4-6 slices of turkey meat on top
- Spread 1-2 slices of cheese
- Break 1-2 pieces of bacon into tiny pieces and add to the tortilla.
- Sprinkle ⅓-½ cup of shredded lettuce over everything.
- Roll tortilla up
- Enjoy!
Braces-Friendly Dinner Recipes
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 4 (14.5 ounces) cansof chicken broth
- 1 (14.5) can vegetable broth
- ½ pound chopped cooked chicken breast
- 1 ½ cup egg noodles
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and celery and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add both types of broth, chicken, egg noodles, carrots, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb baby gold or red potatoes
- 1 lb baby carrots
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1.5 lemons (juice of both, zest of 1)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley
Directions:
- Cut potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Lay them in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Stir carrots in with the potatoes, spreading into an even layer.
- Arrange chicken on top in the center of the vegetables
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Remove from heat and stir in the garlic, lemon juice zest, and spices. Pour half of the mixture over the chicken and veggies. Set the rest back.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 1.5-2 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
- When the chicken reaches 165 degrees internally, remove it from the slow cooker and cover it on a plate with foil to keep it warm.
- Test veggies for tenderness. Stir and recover to continue cooking on low until tender. When ready, return the chicken to the slow cooker.
- Reheat the remaining butter over low heat. Add honey and stir until dissolved. Pour the butter mixture over the chicken and vegetables and stir. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then sprinkle parmesan and parsley over the top.
- Enjoy!
Jaffe Orthodontics Is Here For Your Orthodontic Needs
We hope these recipes provide some yummy meals to enjoy with your braces! You can still appreciate most foods as long as you avoid foods that are hard, chewy, sticky or crunchy. When eating, cut your food into smaller bites and eat with intention, chewing slowly and carefully. After your meals, be sure to brush your teeth or rinse with water.
For any questions or concerns about your braces, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Jaffe Orthodontics. If you haven’t started your orthodontic journey yet, why not now? Schedule an appointment today to get one step closer to a dazzling, healthy smile!
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