Part of the holiday spirit is eating – and baking – lots of seasonal delicacies. But preparing your menu can also be challenging, especially if you’re trying to avoid foods that could harm your guests’ smiles!
For a list of dentist-approved appetizers and meals, look no further than this post. Here’s how you and your loved ones can snack smarter this holiday season.
Nuts and Cheese
Nuts make for fantastic snacks at any party. Because of their healthy fat, protein, and fiber content, a small handful can be enough to help your guests feel fuller for longer. Certain nuts are great for your smile, too – almonds and cashews, for example, contain calcium, which helps strengthen teeth.
Another good source of calcium is dairy items like cheese. Actually, cheese has a lot in common with nuts; it also contains healthy fats and protein. So feel free to set out slices and cubes of your favorite cheeses right next to the almonds and cashews!
Vegetable Soups
Vegetables are good for your general health, so it might not come as a surprise that vegetable soups make for a smile-friendly meal. Since soup comes in many different flavors and textures, there’s bound to be a recipe or two that will satisfy your holiday guests! Keep an eye out for these veggies as you’re selecting the perfect cozy soup:
- Carrots – full of fiber and beta-carotene, which helps your body produce vitamin A for healthy tooth growth and enamel.
- Onions have antimicrobial properties, meaning they can help your smile fight off cavity-causing bacteria.
- Shiitake mushrooms have an antibacterial compound that can help prevent gum disease and cavities.
- Broccoli contains vitamin C; a great nutrient for promoting gum health.
Dark Chocolate
Believe it or not, dark chocolate has plenty of nutrients that are good for you and your pearly whites. With other types of chocolate, the sugar content is simply too high and offsets any dietary benefits. Dark chocolate, though, contains less sugar and has a special ingredient: cacao. Cacao can strengthen your enamel, help control bacterial growth, and even slow the process that turns sugar and starches into harmful acids in your mouth.
It would be difficult to completely avoid sugary delights during the holidays, but with a spread that mostly contains dark chocolate, you can help mitigate the potential damage to everyone’s smiles! Round out your menu with warm, vegetable soup options and bowls of nuts and cheese, and you can enjoy a healthier holiday party with your loved ones.
About the Practice
At LIC Dental Associates, we several excellent dentists on staff who are skilled in a wide variety of dental treatments. This allows us to provide a comprehensive list of services for patients, saving them from spending time traveling to various different offices. During the holidays, time is a precious resource, after all! If you’re worried about you and your loved ones’ dental health, don’t hesitate to call our office at 718-530-6539.