At least you’re not alone in the soft food struggle... honestly, I’m counting down to the day I can eat real pizza again without overthinking every bite.
Totally hear you on the pizza thing. I’ve actually started budgeting a little extra for “braces-friendly” groceries, which means a lot of pasta and eggs lately. Not the most exciting, but it keeps things simple and cheap. Mashed potatoes are a lifesaver, but sometimes I just want a crunchy snack without worrying about repairs. Hang in there—it’s temporary, and the payoff will be worth it.
I get the whole “soft food” routine, but honestly, I think there’s more variety out there than just pasta and eggs. My kid’s got braces too, and we’ve experimented with stuff like soft wraps (tortillas are way easier to chew than bread), yogurt parfaits, and even roasted veggies if they’re cooked down enough. I know crunchy snacks are off the table, but sometimes a cold apple sauce cup or even a smoothie hits the spot. It’s not pizza, but it keeps things interesting... at least until those brackets come off.
I get where you’re coming from on the wraps and yogurt—those have saved us too. But honestly, even soft tortillas can get pricey if you’re packing lunches every day. We’ve leaned into things like mashed sweet potatoes or rice bowls with shredded chicken (if the pieces are small enough).
—yeah, variety helps, but sometimes budget wins out. I do wish there were more affordable options that didn’t feel so repetitive.“It’s not pizza, but it keeps things interesting...”
“It’s not pizza, but it keeps things interesting...”
That line made me laugh a little—my kiddo would eat pizza every day if he could, but obviously braces make that tricky. I totally agree about the cost of tortillas. At first I thought buying a big pack would last, but we go through them so fast, and then I started noticing the price creeping up. Is it just me, or do the “soft” ones still sometimes get stuck in your brackets? My ortho said to be careful, so now I’m paranoid.
We’ve done a lot of mashed sweet potatoes too, but my son gets bored. Rice bowls seem good, but do you ever worry about the rice getting stuck? I feel like I’m always checking his teeth after school, and he hates it, but I get anxious about food hiding in there. Has anyone tried couscous or quinoa instead? I read somewhere they’re softer, but I’m not sure if they’re actually easier to clean out.
I wish there were more cheap options that don’t need a ton of prep. Cheese sticks are off the list (too chewy), and even yogurt gets old after a while. I tried making egg salad sandwiches with really soft bread, but he said it was “too mushy.” Can’t win.
Honestly, sometimes I just send applesauce pouches and hope for the best. Does anyone else worry about sugar in those though? I keep reading about cavities being more likely with braces, and it freaks me out.
Anyway, I totally get what you mean about variety vs. budget. It feels like we’re always choosing between “something new” or “something affordable,” and neither is perfect. Has anyone found anything that checks both boxes? Or is it just a constant balancing act?
Tortillas definitely get stuck sometimes, even the “soft” ones—my grandkids complain about it too. Couscous is a bit easier but still sneaks into weird places. Applesauce pouches are handy, but yeah, the sugar thing bugs me. Sometimes I send plain Greek yogurt with a little honey or mashed banana for sweetness instead. It’s a constant juggle, honestly... I just remind them to swish with water after lunch and hope for the best.