Packing a Brace-Friendly Lunch

Any parent will probably admit . . . packing a school lunch is no fun!  Aside from the chore of doing it, it’s difficult to avoid the “school lunch slumps” by packing the same things over and over again. Add to this the food restrictions for kids with braces, and you can have a real school lunch crisis on your hands.

Here are some tips on foods that will help keep those braces intact . . . and maybe inspire the  menu for the official lunch-packers:

Brace-Friendly:

• Soft breads and tortillas for sandwiches and wraps
• Soft lunch meats and cheeses
• Peanut butter (creamy only) and jelly
• In a Thermos: soups, casseroles, mac-n-cheese, spaghetti
• Pasta or potato salad
• Fruits: bananas, apple sauce, strawberries, canned peaches, pears or oranges, very thinly sliced apples, halved grapes (no seeds, not frozen)
• Veggies: shredded or cut up into very small pieces
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Pudding or Jello cups
• Yogurt
• Hummus
• Water or milk

Avoid:

• Breads with tough crusts, grains or kernels
• Popcorn, nuts, pretzels, corn chips or taco shells
• Hard or sticky candy
• Fruit roll-ups or gummy snacks
• Pizza crust
• Tough lunch meats like salami or roast beef
• Hard cheeses
• Fruits or vegetables that are not soft or cut up into small pieces
• Sugary soda or sports drinks

Because teeth are more susceptible to decay with braces, make sure lunch is followed by a thorough brushing. Packing a brace kit and keeping it in a backpack or locker is a great idea and should look something like this: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, wax, rubber bands and retainer case.

Related articles and tips: 

Back to School with Braces

Nutrition and Your Oral Health

Soft Drinks and Your Teeth . . . A Bad Combination