Dinner is Served! Here’s Your Orthodontist-Approved Thanksgiving and Holiday Menu

Dinner is Served! Here’s Your Orthodontist-Approved Thanksgiving and Holiday Menu

To begin an orthodontic journey is to have many questions – particularly about food. What can I eat? What can I drink? What’s completely off limits? And, arguably, there is no time of the year more challenging to navigate for first-time braces and aligner patients than the holiday season. Thanksgiving is upon us. December and New Years’ are right around the corner. And Truman Orthodontics is here to help make sense of it all.

Surprisingly, there’s no need to stress at the dinner table. You’ll be relieved to know that many of our favorite holiday recipes are ortho friendly. So much so that we’ve taken it upon ourselves to create an entire menu featuring our favorite appetizers, main courses, side dishes, and even desserts that won’t derail your treatment process. 

Grab a plate – and check out our ortho-approved holiday spread. 

First, a few holiday season DON’TS

Let’s get this out of the way. And no, we’re not being party poopers. Especially for those in braces, there are just some foods that your friendly neighborhood orthodontist recommends to avoid. It’s for the good of the patient and for your wallet (those broken bracket appointments really start to add up). 

Back away from the crudités. Unless you want to extend your treatment time (spoiler alert: no one wants to do that), stay clear of the following:

• Sticky sweets (caramel and taffy – we’re looking at you)
• Hard nuts
• Hard candies
• Hard breads and crackers
• Biting into whole raw fruits and vegetables.

And just like that friends, we’ve arrived.

The Menu

Appetizers

One word: Dip. 

There’s so many flavors that can please any crowd. And so many tasty ortho-friendly vehicles for flavor. On a budget? Trader Joes will be your best friend. Get some cute, festive serving bowls – done. 

When it comes to dip – along with chips, crackers, and breads – you will be hard pressed to find an alternative offering that much variety at the price point. The ambitious folks at Business Insider sampled every single dip the popular chain grocery store offers. We’re not saying this is necessary – but who are we to stop you. 

And while you’re there, grab a couple items for a holiday charcuterie. 

Again, all the things that make this popular grab and go starter look impressive (with minimal effort) can be found at Trader Joes. While the possibilities are endless, here are the basics (hold the nuts):

• Meat (sliced and easy to chew like salami, pepperoni, prosciutto)
• Cheese (stick to the soft cheeses like brie or mozzarella)
• Fruit (berries or grapes are safe)
• Breads (soft, bite-sized pieces)
• Crackers (the cracker assortment is a tried and true entertaining staple).

Now, for the main event. 

Main Courses

It’s a common misconception that, for braces wearers, that turkey and ham are off limits. First of all, who said that? Not only is that bad information; it denies you much needed protein on such a carb-filled event. We need to keep the energy up (how else are we going to make it through servings two and three?).

Enjoying turkey, ham, or roasted chicken (or all of the above)? Just remove from the bone and cut into smaller pieces. If you are skipping the traditional fare, a salmon or veggie wellington won’t put your braces in jeopardy AND they are show stoppers. 

Save some room on that plate. Because a Thanksgiving or year-end feast wouldn’t be complete without the sides. 

Sides

The usual suspects like sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes with gravy – we’ll never say a bad word about them. They are delicious, filling, and will undoubtedly be at every gathering. However, we would like to spotlight an iconic side that’s gone viral on social media two years in a row. We mean selling out ingredients at the grocery store-kind of viral. 

Tini’s Macaroni and Cheese is the real deal – cheesy, buttery, and ortho friendly. But don’t fill up just yet. We have a final course to get through. 

Desserts

Judge us if you want to – but, this is our favorite course. And the good news is that most of the pies, cakes, and cobblers are (literally and figuratively) on the table. 

Pumpkin pie? Treat yourself.

Apple pie? Treat yourself.

Cheesecake? Treat yourself.

Peach cobbler? Treat yourself.

And throwing in a personal favorite (sans the pecans)? You guessed it – TREAT YOURSELF. 

Some final survival tips

While in treatment, the key to a stress-free holiday experience boils down to a little planning and having a game plan ready. For instance, most dietary restrictions can be accommodated with enough notice. Picking up the phone and giving your host a heads up can go a long way. Also, don’t forget your survival kit. You know, that travel case with all your necessary emergency supplies? In case you’re new to the world of ortho treatment or are in need of a refresher, we got you. 

But most importantly, be in the moment. This time of year is about spending time with family and friends – not overthinking your holiday fare. Follow the guidelines, brush after every meal, and remember, even the best laid plans run into snags. If an emergency arises – the TruCrew is a phone call away. 

Now, give thanks…and, let’s eat!

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About Truman Orthodontics – Henderson

Truman Orthodontics-Henderson celebrates twenty years of private practice. Dr. Truman and the TruCrew provide highest quality orthodontic care in a family-oriented high-technology practice. We maintain a commitment to our patients in every facet of our practice to ensure that every patient achieves a healthy and beautiful smile. For more information, visit www.trumanortho.com.

Posted By Truman Orthodontics Category: Blog, General Post Date: November 26, 2024