La Habra/Chino Hills, CA – If you wear braces, or will be soon, chances are you’ve heard the list of foods you’re not supposed to eat. The list includes popcorn, chips, hard pizza crusts, etc. At Gire Orthodontics, we provide a list of the foods and snacks that we recommend staying away from. The list may seem like it limits all your favorites but you can still enjoy delicious foods while in orthodontic treatment. La Habra/Chino Hills orthodontist, Dr. Robert Gire, and his staff have some delicious recipes perfect for orthodontic patients to enjoy while in treatment.

Frozen banana “ice cream”

Everyone loves ice cream but it’s high in sugar and it’s the sugar that can lead to tooth decay. So what about ice cream made from…bananas?! There is no extra sugar, no dairy, and no fat. Simply freeze two bananas. Once frozen, roughly chop them and place in a food processor. Blend until smooth, scraping the sides as needed. Serve immediately or freeze for a later time. You can even add peanut butter for some extra flavor, or sprinkle in a few chocolate chips.

DIY Instant Oatmeal

You may not be able to have those crunchy and chewy bagels for breakfast, but you can enjoy delicious oatmeal. You can make individual ziplock bags of oatmeal loaded with your favorite flavorings and toppings and have them ready for a quick and easy meal before school or work. Place ½ cup of instant oats in a ziplock bag, add a touch of brown sugar, and/or your favorite fruit to add additional flavor, and zip it up. Store in the refrigerator or cupboard, then grab when ready to make. Pour in a bowl with ¾ C water or milk, and you’re ready to eat!

Peanut Butter Yogurt Fruit Dip

Peanut butter and fruit slices can be a great combination and make for a sweet treat that won’t damage your braces. For the dip, mix together ½ C yogurt of your choice, 1/2 C natural peanut butter, and ¼ C powdered sugar. Then slice your favorite fruits, we suggest bananas and strawberries, and enjoy.

Soft Pretzels

You may not be able to chomp down on hard pretzels and chips, but you can make your own braces-friendly soft pretzels. You’ll need:

• 1 ½ C warm water
• 1 T sugar
• 2 t salt
• 1 package dry active yeast
• 4 ½ C all-purpose flour
• 2 ounces unsalted butter
• Oil for pan
• 10 C water
• 2/3 C baking soda
• 1 large egg yolk, beaten with 1 T water
• Pretzel salt or cinnamon and sugar for topping

To make, combine the water, sugar and salt. Sprinkle in the yeast and allow it to sit for 5 minutes, or until it begins to foam. Slowly add in flour and butter and mix until combined. Knead until smooth. Remove the dough, and oil the bowl. Return the dough to the oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow it to rise until doubled in size, about 50 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Bring the 10 C water and baking soda to a boil. Roll out the dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope, then shape into a pretzel. Place each pretzel, one at a time, into the boiling water for 30 seconds, then return to the baking sheet. Brush the egg yolk mixture on top, the sprinkle with salt or cinnamon and sugar. You can also create pretzel bites by simply forming ropes of dough, then cutting into bite size pieces before boiling. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool and enjoy!

For more ideas on braces friendly foods to enjoy, contact Gire Orthodontics in La Habra or Chino Hills. We want to help you make the most of your orthodontic experience and we are always happy to answer questions.