School is back in session for our Papillion braces and Invisalign Teen patients. We know for parents, the beginning of the school years is a busy time as you get back into the swing of juggling a million things. Hey, Dr. Hawley and a lot of our team members are parents too, so we can relate! While we can’t help you get everyone out the door on time in the morning, we can help with some awesome ideas for healthy snacks for kids and teens. These recipes are simple to make, nutritious, perfect for after school and they’re braces-friendly!
Before we get to our recipes, let’s do a quick recap of the foods to eat with braces. When kids first get their braces put on and following adjustments, the teeth might be a little sensitive, so choosing soft foods and cold treats is the way to go. Things like smoothies, milkshakes, ice water, mashed potatoes, yogurt and soup are all great options.
As for what not to eat with braces, we recommend staying away from really hard, sticky or chewy foods since they can damage the braces. Avoid things like toffee, caramel, nuts, popcorn, hard taco shells, whole, raw apples and carrots, Starburst, Skittles and hard candy. Don’t eat tear at things like corn on the cob or meat on the bone with the front teeth or bite directly into them. Instead, take it off the cob or bone and eat it that way. Other than that, all of your favorite foods are still on the table with braces. Now, on to our healthy snack ideas for kids and teens!
Smoothies are such easy snacks for kids. You can even chop up the ingredients in advance and put servings in storage containers in the fridge for teens to make themselves after school. Plus, they’re an amazing treat after getting braces put on. This avocado berry smoothie is delicious and brimming with antioxidants and healthy fats to keep kids full until dinner.
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These quesadillas make for protein-packed healthy snacks for kids. You can throw them together using leftover chicken from last night’s dinner and any veggies you have lying around.
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Overnight oats gained so much popularity because they’re simple, filling, nutritious and taste fantastic. Though they’re often eaten for breakfast, they’re one of our favorite healthy snack ideas for kids. You can put them together the night before and when kids get home from school, they can just grab a jar and enjoy. These “Chunky Monkey” overnight oats are loosely based on the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor. We combine banana and, in this case, nut butter instead of whole walnuts and cocoa powder instead of chocolate chunks to make it braces-friendly.
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Note: The bananas will get mushy overnight, which some kids like. However, you can also add the banana slices right before serving.
This recipe for dumplings comes from Genius Kitchen, which happens to be an excellent source of healthy snacks ideas for kids and teens. Because the dumplings are steamed, they’re easy on braces.
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We hope you enjoy these easy, healthy snacks for kids and teens! If you have any questions about the different foods to eat with braces, feel free to contact us. Or, if you’re ready to start your child on the path to a beautiful, healthy smile with orthodontic treatment, book a free consultation at Hawley Orthodontics today! Schedule your visit by emailing us at info@hawleyorthodontics.com or calling the office at (402) 592-3200.