You have to give more thought to what you are eating when wearing braces since the ingredients or texture of certain foods can cause damage to the brackets of your braces. Before doing your weekly grocery shopping, it’s a good idea to compose a list of foods that are soft and easy to eat, along with the ingredients for any of the following braces-friendly recipes you might like to try.

We’ve included recipes for dishes that you can prepare ahead of time and then freeze or refrigerate to enjoy reheating later. The period when you are wearing braces can be viewed as a time to enjoy trying out new dishes. Here are some of our braces-friendly recipes you’ll find delicious, nutritious and easy to prepare.

Pasta Specialties

Pasta is among the top comfort foods that are easy to make and great for the entire family. Any leftovers can be refrigerated or frozen.

Spaghetti Bolognese

Ingredients

• 2lbs lean minced ground beef
• 1 chopped onion
• 3 crushed garlic cloves
• 14oz can tomato sauce
• 14oz can crushed tomatoes
• Spaghetti or fettuccine pasta
• 1-2 tbsp olive oil
• Shaved Parmesan

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, add the garlic and onion and cook until browned. Add the minced beef, cooking until brown, then add tomato sauce. Cook 2-3 minutes before adding crushed tomatoes. Simmer over low heat until the sauce thickens while you cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain pasta thoroughly, top with sauce, and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan.

For variety, you can add grated carrots or zucchini to your prepared tomato sauce, ensuring increased consumption of healthy vegetables.

Baked Ravioli Casserole

Ingredients

• 14oz can diced tomatoes
• 24oz your favorite pasta sauce
• 1-1 1/2lbs frozen meat or cheese ravioli
• 1 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• ½ cup water

The oven should be preheated to 400°F . Oil a 9” x 13” casserole dish lightly. Mix pasta sauce, diced tomato, and water in a bowl, then pour into the casserole, completely covering the bottom of the dish. Put one layer of ravioli on top of the sauce and sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella on top. Place another layer of ravioli, topping with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Bake until golden brown, about 45 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Other Favorite Specialties

Fresh Fruit Smoothie

When you’re first outfitted with braces, your mouth may feel sore. This vitamin-rich beverage is perfect when you don’t feel like chewing! And the fresh spinach increases your intake of nourishing vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries, blueberries or raspberries (you can also use any combination)
• 2 scoops of vanilla yogurt
• Milk, can substitute with almond, cashew, or coconut milk
• 1 scoop protein powder
• Handful of fresh spinach
• Handful of ice cubes

Mix all of these ingredients in a blender, then pour into a tall glass.

Savory Potato Soup

This nourishing soup is perfect for a day after your braces have been fitted or adjusted. Enjoy its soft and soothing texture.

Ingredients

• 5 medium-sized russet potatoes, peeled, boiled and diced
• 2tbsp butter
• 3tbsp flour
• 2tbsp finely diced onion
• 3 strips bacon
• 3 cups milk
• Grated cheese

In a pan, fry onions and bacon together, pouring out the bacon fat. Place the fat in a double boiler, adding the butter until melted. Whisk in flour and milk to create a sauce. Keep stirring until it reaches a thick and smooth consistency. Season with salt and pepper, then add the cooked potatoes and onion/bacon mixture. Garnish with cheese and serve hot.

Country Potato Pancakes

If you have been craving potato chips, they aren’t the best food for brace-wearers. Satisfy your craving with this easy potato pancake recipe, topped with sour cream and served alongside applesauce.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups raw cubed potatoes (red or russet)
• 1 egg
• 1/2tsp salt
• ¼ small diced onion
• 1/8 cup milk
• 1 1/2tbsp flour
• 1/8tsp baking powder
• Vegetable spray for cooking

Beat ingredients in a bowl for about 30 seconds to get a smooth consistency. Coat a frying pan with vegetable spray and warm over medium heat. Pour about one-sixth of the batter into the pan, cooking until it browns, about two minutes. Using a spatula, flip the pancake and cook the other side about two minutes. Place finished pancake and place in a warm oven, then continue until you’ve made six pancakes. Season pancakes with salt and pepper to taste.

Advice for Enjoying Meals with Braces

The two pasta dishes listed above, as well as macaroni and cheese, are just a few of the soft comfort foods you can still enjoy while wearing braces. Another favorite is Sloppy Joes served with mashed potatoes. Experiment with your family’s own favorite recipes, substituting softer ingredients for those which are hard. Ground beef, tofu or shredded chicken can be substituted for steak or other fibrous meats. You can still enjoy nuts by grinding them first in the blender to use as a spread. Crockpots can help you make an endless variety of braces-friendly dishes.

It is best to avoid foods with high acidity or spiciness since they might aggravate your mouth. For a quick breakfast, try oatmeal prepared with milk, seasoned with cinnamon, and topped with cooked fruit or bananas. Scrambled eggs or the fruit smoothie listed above make perfect on-the-go breakfast options. Tuna or cold pasta salad makes a satisfying lunch. Try adding soft and nutritious avocados to any salad recipe.

Most desserts are okay to eat with braces but don’t indulge too often in high sugar treats! Our team is always here to help you make good menu choices that are brace-friendly without your having to feel deprived.