Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we know that means many of our patients are looking forward to some much-deserved R&R;, time spent reconnecting with loved ones, and digging into the delicious foods we all love to enjoy during the Thanksgiving feast. For patients with braces, however, Thanksgiving can pose a major dilemma. Many of the foods we love to enjoy on Thanksgiving are hard, sticky, or full of sugars, all of which can damage braces and teeth. To help you celebrate this year’s Thanksgiving without damaging your braces, we’ve put together a couple of Thanksgiving recipes that are sure to delight your tastebuds and keep your smile healthy!
Broccoli Cheese Bites
These are eye-catching, delicious, and completely safe for braces – and we’ll bet no one at your Thanksgiving table will have seen them before! To start, you’ll need:
- 16 oz. of steamed broccoli
- 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese, grated
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- Salt & pepper to taste
Making them is simple: just combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until everything is mixed together, then use your hands to form small patties and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake in the oven at 375º F for 15 minutes, turn the patties over, and bake for another 10 minutes. Viola! Deliciously cheesy and completely safe for braces.
Balsamic Honey Glazed Carrots
Carrots are usually dangerous for braces, but this Thanksgiving staple can also be made to be perfectly safe for braces wearers. This dish feeds the whole family, and you’ll need:
- 2 lbs baby carrots
- Olive oil
- 3 tbsp of honey
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt & pepper to taste
Place the carrots on a baking sheet lined with tinfoil and greased with a bit of olive oil, then add some salt and pepper as you see fit. Bake the carrots at 400º F for 20 minutes, or until the get soft. Take them out, then add the honey, balsamic vinegar, and another 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix that together, along with some more salt and pepper, and you’ve got a delectable side that’s great for braces!
Contact Your Sedalia & Kansas City Orthodontist
We hope you enjoy these braces-friendly Thanksgiving dishes, but if you still have any questions on how to survive the holiday without breaking your brackets, we’re always here to help. We strive to be a resource to you throughout your treatment, so we encourage you to contact us with any questions you may have. You may reach our Sedalia, MO office at (660) 829-2900 or our Kansas City office at (816) 420-8100. Until then, we hope you enjoy these recipes and we wish you a happy braces-friendly Thanksgiving!
Sources:
http://thinnrecipes.blogspot.com/2013/05/broccoli-cheese-bites.html
http://www.sowonderfulsomarvelous.com/2010/01/cooking-challenged.html
