Did your child get braces over the summer? Then you may be a bit stumped on what to include in their school lunches. After all, if no crunchy, hard, sticky, or chewy foods are allowed, then what’s left? Luckily, packing a braces-friendly lunch doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep reading to learn a few orthodontist-approved options (as well as what to avoid) this semester!
12 Braces-Friendly School Lunch Ideas
The ideal braces-friendly lunch is filled with foods that are delicious, soft, and filled with nutrients. Some examples include:
- Egg salad
- Peanut butter (smooth, not crunchy) and jelly sandwiches
- Bean and cheese burritos
- Veggie soup
- Soft fruits, like kiwi and bananas (pre-cut, of course)
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Cooked vegetables, like green beans
- Pudding
- Jello
- Oatmeal
- Protein Shakes
A Few Foods to Avoid Packing in Your Child’s Lunch
It’s also important to avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods that have the potential to break or loosen your child’s braces. This can result in a stressful (and sometimes painful) orthodontic emergency, which you want to avoid at all costs. With this in mind, here are some foods that you should not pack in your child’s lunch.
- Raw carrots
- Hard candy
- Beef jerky
- Bagels
- Nuts
- Whole apples
- Popcorn
Braces-Friendly Options for Kids Who Eat the School Lunch
If your child eats the lunch provided by the school, then encourage them to fill their plate with soft foods to help avoid accidentally breaking a bracket or wire. Options like mac and cheese, soft pizza, chili, and French fries are good options. It can be difficult but do your best to encourage them to opt for more nutrient-dense options as well, like rice, cooked vegetables, and fresh fruit.
Now that your child has braces, you might have a slight adjustment when it comes to school lunches. The good news is that protecting them from an orthodontic emergency is easy – simply help them to pick soft, healthy, and easy-to-chew foods!
About the Practice
For our team at Simply Orthodontics, orthodontic treatment is about so much more than just straightening teeth. It’s also about helping our patients and their parents navigate life with braces! That’s why we focus on patient education, even when it comes to what to pack and what not to pack for a braces-friendly school lunch. So, if you have a question about life with braces or you want to schedule an appointment to learn more, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (508) 250-0170.