How many of you have had that cringing conversation with your child’s dentist where she tells you it is time for braces? For some, it is prior to reaching the double digits. For others, it doesn’t happen until middle school or later. Either way, the journey through braces brings a lot of baggage with it. From finances to children kvetching about pain or the inability to eat, it takes a lot of energy to manage this motherhood responsibility.

I know. I know. Shortly after most of our children become accustomed to their new braces, we see them eating popcorn, taffy, and all the other goodies they are not supposed to eat. Well, I always obeyed the eating rules when I had braces, and I had mine for seven years!

I’d imagine that most of our children have a few days of difficult eating when the braces are first put on and after they are adjusted or tightened. I’ve compiled a list of great food suggestions for the child – especially the growing teen boy – who wants and needs to eat but is reluctant to eat normal foods.

Soup Matzo ball soup, in particular, is a good one. Not only do they get the broth, but soft noodles and easy-to-eat matzo balls. Other pureed soups or bean soups will be easy to get down as well and will provide nourishment for your child.

Mashed Potatoes Slobbered in butter and mushed to perfection, who wouldn’t want mashed potatoes for dinner? Your child might even be able to tolerate some melted cheese on the mash. The inside of a baked potato might work as well.

Cottage Cheese A nice, soft cheese that is easy to chew even when you think you can’t chew. It’s also a good choice to pack in your child’s lunchbox for school.

Yogurt or Yogurt Popsicles Cold foods feel good in a sore mouth. Yogurt – frozen or refrigerated – is also easy to pack in a school lunch or an easy snack.

Couscous Some pastas might be too difficult to chew, but couscous is a soft and small pasta that is easy to eat without much chewing. It’s easy to make too and can be served as a side dish for the rest of the family.

Smoothies Easy to make and delicious to drink, a smoothie is the perfect treat, snack, or meal for a child with braces. If you can add some green in that smoothie, you’ll feel even better about serving it.

Applesauce Applesauce or any other strained fruit is a good substitution for the fruits they won’t want to bite into. Bananas are easy to eat once they ripen. Grapes are also not too difficult – especially if you cut them into small pieces like you did when they were toddlers.

Chili Using veggie crumbles, ground beef or turkey, chili is another easy option. Load it with beans and soft vegetables and it’s good and nourishing.

Pudding There were times my son could hardly eat anything. Pudding was our friend. If you make it yourself, you can limit the sugar and add an avocado for a healthier treat.

Homemade Fruit Popsicles You can make a popsicle from anything – fruit, fruit juice, or leftover smoothie. Just remember to keep the ingredients soft or blend them to a puree.

Eggs Hard-boiled or scrambled, eggs are nurturing and easy to eat. Hard-boiled eggs are also easy to pack for school lunch.

Pancakes Pancakes are soft and easy to chew when cut it teeny, tiny, smaller than bite sized pieces. You can also adjust the health factor of pancakes using natural sweeteners like applesauce or mashed bananas. Try throwing in some pureed vegetables too.

Boiled Carrots Vegetables might be one of the hardest things to get your child to eat when her braces are hurting her. Anything you can boil – carrots, zucchini, or squash – can be cooked to softness.

For most children, it’s a matter of days before they are ready to eat their regular foods again. In the meantime, these ideas will help ensure that your child stays well fed.