Great Springtime Recipes for Anyone Wearing Braces
Wearing braces can be hard on children, especially when it comes time to enjoy holiday foods and treats. Luckily, spring is the perfect time to enjoy healthy foods that are also safe for kids with braces. Here are a couple recipes that our Frisco & Little Elm orthodontics team would like to share.
Springtime Fruit Salad
Fresh fruit salad makes a great dessert or snack. Just be sure the slice the apples and strawberries into small pieces before adding them to the mixture.
Ingredients:
- 1 pint of fresh blueberries
- ½ cup of sliced strawberries
- ½ cup of sliced apple (choose a soft variety)
- 1 cup sliced cantaloupe or other seasonal melon
- 1 cup red or green grapes (cut in half if large)
- 1 container of low sugar vanilla yogurt
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Stir gently to avoid mashing blueberries and strawberries. Serve immediately or chill for an hour before sharing. Can be refrigerated for up to a week.
Pasta Salad
Another delicious combination of soft foods, pasta salad is a favorite of kids and adults alike. Try combining different dressings and vegetable combinations for new flavors.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces of cooked whole wheat pasta; try spiral, bow tie, shell, or elbow shapes
- 1 cup fresh peas (or frozen peas that have been thawed)
- ½ cup chopped broccoli florets; cooked
- ½ cup chopped black olives
- ½ cup shredded carrot; raw or cooked till soft
- ½ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 3 – 5 Tbsp of low-fat Italian dressing
- A sprinkling of grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Begin by preparing pasta according to directions on the package. While the pasta is cooking, prepare vegetables. Steaming will make vegetables softer. Drain and rinse pasta, then add pasta to vegetable mixture in a large bowl. Pour the measured portion of dressing onto pasta and vegetable mixture then toss to coat. Refrigerate for an hour to chill, or serve warm. Add parmesan cheese before serving.
Make Hygiene Part of Snacking
Anyone wearing braces should be sure to clean their teeth after eating, including after snacks. This will prevent food from getting lodged in the small spaces between wires and teeth. Dental hygiene is an important part of wearing braces, so plan ahead.
Your Source for Orthodontic Care
If you have questions about what foods are good for your young orthodontic patient, please contact Corbridge Orthodontics. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared K. Corbridge by calling (214)705-6188 or by sending us an appointment request online.
