Braces-Friendly School Lunch Ideas

For students with braces, navigating school lunches can sometimes be a challenge. From crunchy snacks to sticky treats, there are plenty of foods that can cause discomfort or even damage braces. However, with a bit of creativity and planning, it's easy to enjoy a delicious and braces-friendly lunch that keeps orthodontic treatment on track. Here are some ideas to keep your school lunches both satisfying and safe for your braces:

1. Soft Sandwiches: Opt for sandwiches with soft fillings like turkey, cheese, or tuna salad on soft bread. Avoid crusty bread that can be tough to chew and may get stuck in your braces. You can also experiment with wraps using soft tortillas.
2. Cooked Vegetables: Cooked vegetables such as steamed carrots, green beans, or mashed potatoes are not only nutritious but also gentle on braces. Pack them in a small container as a tasty and braces-friendly side dish.
3. Yogurt Parfaits: Greek yogurt layered with soft fruits like berries, peaches, or banana chunks makes for a satisfying and braces-safe lunch option. It's packed with protein and calcium to keep you fueled throughout the school day.
4. Pasta: Create a cold pasta salad with tri-color noodles, pepperoni, and favorite veggies such as olives or mini-peppers. Mac-n-cheese can be kept warm in a thermos.
5. Soft Fruit: Eat soft fruits like bananas, grapes, oranges or slices of peaches for a sweet and braces-friendly snack. Avoid hard fruits like apples or pears, which may require biting into and can be difficult to chew with braces. Instead try apple sauce pouches for an easy and fast snack.
6. Check out these braces-friendly snack alternatives to keep kids happy after school: Braces Friendly Food Alternatives (bardenortho.com)

By incorporating these braces-friendly lunch ideas into your meal planning, you can enjoy delicious and nutritious lunches without worrying about damaging your braces. Remember to brush and floss after meals to maintain good oral hygiene and keep your braces in top condition.

Two more helpful back to school pro tips:

• Keep an emergency kit with wax to cover any poking wires during the day.
• Be sure to have a mouth guard if you are playing school sports that have the potential for physical contact (soccer, football, lacrosse, basketball, hockey etc). Ask us in our Whitefish Bay, Wi office if you need one that works with braces.

We hope our patients and their families have a great school year! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X (Twitter) for more helpful orthodontic tips from Dr. Douglas Barden and his team at his Whitefish Bay, WI office.