Let’s face it, one of the biggest learning curves when it comes to braces is not being able to indulge in some of your favorite foods. Although it’s very important to avoid foods that can damage your brackets and wires, these limitations can sometimes feel discouraging, and even isolating. Luckily, there are so many things you can still snack on that these restrictions don’t have to feel like a burden! Here at Kottemann Orthodontics, we want to help you have the best orthodontic experience possible, and that includes helping you cope with some of the harder parts of wearing braces. Summer is the perfect time to explore some of our favorite braces-friendly treats, so check out the recipes we’ve collected below for some simple, healthy sweets to help you beat the heat!
Pineapple Whip
Ingredients:
1 fresh pineapple, peeled and cored
½ cup canned coconut milk (more may be added if needed)
1-3 tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar (adjust to taste)
Directions:
Peel, core, and cut one fresh ripe pineapple into chunks. Spread the chunks on a lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 24 hours.
Place the frozen pineapple chunks into a food processor with the ½ cup of coconut milk. Process until the mixture is creamy, adding more milk if needed to achieve a smooth consistency.
Taste the mixture and add the preferred sweetener to your liking, then process once more to incorporate the sweetener. Serve immediately with a dollop of whipped cream or Cool Whip for an extra dose of deliciousness!
Strawberry Peach Sorbet
Ingredients:
1 medium peach, sliced then frozen
1/2 cup strawberries, whole, frozen
1/4 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.
Fruit Popsicles
Ingredients:
2-3 kiwis, peeled and sliced
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
2-3 tangerines, peeled and sliced
1 pint fresh blueberries
1 container coconut water
popsicle mold
popsicle sticks
Directions:
Cut your fruit into bite-size pieces, then add it to the popsicle mold. Be careful not to overfill. You don’t want the fruit to be packed in too tightly, so try to leave some spaces.
Cover the fruit with coconut water until it reaches the top of each popsicle mold. Insert the popsicle sticks into the center of the mold. Freeze the molds overnight, or until the popsicles are solid. Once frozen, remove from the mold by running the plastic under warm water until they slide out easily. Serve with a smile!
Fruit & Cheese Kabobs
Ingredients:
Grab any fresh fruit you like! Pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, and grapes are classics. If you or your kids are berry lovers, try blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Cut your favorite cheese into small cubes. Cheddar, mozzarella, and monterey jack are great choices for this recipe.
Directions:
Alternate fruit and cheese from top to bottom of wooden skewers. Easy to make and enjoy!
Peach Frozen Yogurt
Ingredients:
1 16 oz bag of frozen peaches
1 cup full-fat vanilla Greek yogurt
Juice from 1/2 of a small lemon
2-3 tablespoons honey
Directions:
Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. For the consistency of soft serve ice cream, serve immediately. If you prefer a more scoopable texture, you can chill it in an 8×8 pan in the freezer until it reaches the consistency you desire.
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Banana “Nice” Cream
Ingredients:
2 very ripe bananas, peeled and frozen
1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Directions:
Cut the bananas into chunks and put them in a food processor or heavy-duty blender, and blend until smooth. Definitely try to use very ripe bananas for this recipe. The more a banana is, the sweeter its natural flavor will be! Add your peanut butter and cocoa powder, then blend again until smooth.
Berry Delicious Watermelon Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
4 cups watermelon, cubed
1 pint strawberries, sliced
1 pint blueberries
1 pint raspberries
1 pint cherries, pitted and halved
1/2 pint blackberries
squeeze of fresh lime juice
Directions:
Cut all the fruit into bite-sized pieces. Add to a large mixing bowl, and gently toss. Top with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Chill before serving.
Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie
Ingredients:
1½ cups frozen strawberries
1½ cups good quality lemonade
½ cup vanilla or strawberry yogurt
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth, scraping the sides of the blender as necessary. Serve immediately, or freeze for later.
This next recipe isn’t necessarily healthy buuuut we all deserve a little splurge every now and then, right? Besides, who can resist a summertime slurpee? Not us!
Kool-Aid Slurpee
Ingredients:
1 package of unsweetened Kool-Aid drink mix in your favorite flavor
2 cups cold water
1/2 – 3/4 cup sugar
4 cups of ice
Directions:
Blend together all ingredients, adding more ice if your mix needs to be a bit thicker. Serve immediately.
Stay cool and keep smiling with Kottemann Orthodontics
Despite how hot it gets, summer can still be so busy that we forget to pause for regular water breaks. Staying hydrated is important all the time, but especially when the temperatures start to rise. To help you maintain your energy levels and stay focused on having fun, remember to pay attention to how water you’re drinking throughout the day, and aim for about eight cups per day. Drinking water also helps to strengthen your teeth and clean your mouth!
Even though school may be out for the summer, we haven’t gone anywhere, and our team is still here in the office to help with any questions or concerns you might have. Our dedicated doctors and skilled staff are committed to providing everything you need for the best orthodontic experience, even if it’s just a little encouragement every now and then! Stay cool and keep smiling this summer by contacting Kottemann Orthodontics for all your orthodontic needs!