Packing lunches for your students in braces can be difficult. At Embrace Orthodontics, we want to ensure every part of your child’s orthodontic treatment is as easy as possible. Check out our list of braces-friendly lunches below!
Good Cold Lunch Options for Children with Braces
Foods that are soft and easy to clean out of braces are the best options for school lunches. Some braces-friendly food options include:
- peanut butter and jelly sandwich
- pudding
- yogurt
- jello
- boiled eggs
- canned fruit
- tuna
- chicken
- sliced lunch meats
Options high in protein but still easy to chew will help your student stay energized and smiling all the way through math class!
Good Hot Lunch Options for Children with Braces
If your student eats hot lunch at school, there are many braces-friendly options served in school cafeterias as well. Here are some of our team’s favorite hot lunch options:
- soft pizza
- bread sticks
- mashed potatoes
- sloppy joes
- cooked veggies
- french fries
- fruit salad
- veggie salad
- soup
- mac and cheese
Although hot lunch options might be more limited than a packed lunch, most schools have a variety of braces-friendly options on the menu each week.
Braces-Friendly Snacks
If your student is one to get peckish between classes or in-between school and sports practices, check out these braces-friendly snack options:
- string cheese
- yogurt
- soft granola bars
- grapes
- oatmeal
- protein shakes
- smoothies
Foods to Avoid while Wearing Braces
There are so many foods your child can still enjoy while going through orthodontic treatment. However, there are also foods that will hinder their treatment progress. Be sure to steer clear of these foods while undergoing orthodontic treatment:
- gum
- apples
- carrots
- popcorn
- fruit snacks
- Chewy or gummy candies
- high-sugar drinks
- beef jerky
- nuts
Although many of these foods and snacks are healthy lunch options (like apples and carrots), they can do quite a bit of damage to brackets and wires. Avoid hard and overly chewy foods for the best orthodontic experience possible.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Embrace Orthodontics team! We’re here to help you and your student have a safe and healthy orthodontic experience – from getting your braces on all the way to taking them off and every school lunch in between!