Part of the season’s fun usually involves a barbecue with family and friends. However, for those wearing braces, tread with caution! Not all summertime staples are braces friendly. Though there are some fantastic alternatives!

BBQ foods to forget

Some foods are just typical at any barbecue, and when you have braces, you should steer clear of a select few. Eating them may cause some breakage (and we wouldn’t want that!)

Raw veggies: Raw veggies are typically quite hard, and thus, risky for braces. If you would like to enjoy a nice fresh carrot, cut it into smaller pieces. Or better yet! Have whoever is cooking throw some carrots covered in olive oil, salt and pepper on the grill and enjoy!

Corn on the cob: Corn actually isn’t so risky for braces – provided that it isn’t eaten straight off the cob. Try one of the many delicious recipes for corn salad that everyone can enjoy. A great corn dish is a Mexican style street food corn off the cob number called an “Elote”.  This corn dish includes jalapenos, so it has a great kick!

Pretzels and corn chips: Corn chips and pretzels are typically quite hard. So it is best to avoid these foods. If you absolutely must have a corn chip and you can no longer resist the temptation, eat it slowly and chew using your back teeth.

Tough meat: Only eat soft meats and eat carefully. You should also avoid stringy meats.

Hard snacks:  Hard snacks are best avoided. These include things such as beef jerky and whole apples. If you would like an apple, it’s best to cut it into smaller, bite-sized pieces.

Braces friendly BBQ food

With all the foods that we suggest avoiding, you may be at a loss. We don’t want you to starve at a barbecue! And in reality, there are plenty of foods that are safe to eat with braces if you have been invited to one.

Popsicles: In summer, there is nothing more refreshing than a popsicle. You can even make your own with some fresh fruit and juice.

Soft fruits: Dried apples are great. But there are also some soft fresh fruits that you can have such as bananas, grapes, kiwis or melons. You may wish to enjoy these all together in a fruit salad dessert.

Cheeses: If you’re a fan of cheese, fortunately, it is safe to eat with braces! Not only is cheese a braces friendly food, but also teeth friendly food! The calcium found in cheese is great for building strong and healthy teeth.

Soft breads: A nice warm bread roll at a barbecue can seem like heaven and if it is soft, won’t do any harm to your braces.

Most BBQ meats. Most meats at a barbecue can be safely eaten with braces! (Isn’t that good news!) Ribs and chicken are indeed safe to eat, just make sure that they are ‘fall-off-the-bone’ tender.

If you have any questions about what you can eat with braces this summer, contact us today.