You know the school day’s over when you hear these seven little words: “I’m home! Is there anything to eat?” And before your child got braces, you had the answer: simple, tasty snacks that provided not only an energy boost but nutritional elements to help build strong teeth and strong bodies. But now, whole carrot sticks and unsliced apples are out. Nuts and crunchy peanut butter? Not in your pantry. Hard cheeses and crunchy whole-grain crackers? Also off the shopping list. Because any foods that are crunchy, chewy, or hard to bite into can damage brackets and wires, it’s time to freshen up your go-to snack list. Luckily, Dr. Marina Milstein can recommend many healthy and braces-friendly choices when children need something to tide them over until dinner.

Healthy Snack Options

Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals. Soft fruits like berries, melons, and bananas are easy on your child’s braces. You can make a blended smoothie by adding a healthy handful of spinach or kale without interfering with the fruity taste. If your child loves apples and carrots, keep them on hand, but remember that thin slices are the best option.

Calcium

Cottage cheese, string cheese, and other soft cheeses provide essential calcium and vitamin D. Yogurt, in all its many flavors, is another great option.

Protein

Lean meats such as thinly sliced ham, chicken, or turkey provide flavor and protein without requiring much chewing. Eggs—hard-boiled, deviled, or diced up in egg salad—make a great protein-packed snack.

Grains, Legumes, and Vegetables for Complex Carbohydrates

Snacks such as hummus with soft whole grain pita wedges or blended black bean dip and soft crackers are delicious, energizing options that provide complex carbohydrates—the “good” carbs and important sources of energy for our bodies.

Creating Braces-Friendly Snacks

You are constantly looking for ways to make your children’s lives better. Mix and match any of these foods for a snack that’s not only good for their braces but good for their teeth and bodies! Let us know your child’s favorite snack the next time you visit our Granite Bay office!