Five Ways to Make a Tooth-Friendly Lunch Box
Dr. Gary Vance
| 2 min read
Sending your child off to school each morning well-prepared not only means a backpack filled with the right technology, pencils and notebooks, but a lunch box packed with a tooth-friendly, energizing meal. Eating a healthy lunch not only gives kids the oomph to stay focused in class, but also helps their mouths fend off plaque, periodontal disease and cavities.
The best choices for a healthy mouth are foods that include:
Calcium. Foods rich in calcium (milk, yogurt, and cheese) make your teeth and jaw bone strong while protecting your mouth against tooth decay.
Bacteria Fighters. Foods like celery, apples, pears and carrots cause you to chew more, which generates more saliva and kills the bad bacteria in your mouth.
Vitamin C. Foods high in Vitamin C, such as red peppers and oranges, keep your gums healthy by strengthening blood vessels and connective tissue.
Protein. For the main course, try soups or whole-wheat sandwiches made with protein-rich foods such as, chicken, turkey and ham to help teeth build enamel.
Vitamin D. Pack foods like hard boiled eggs and tuna fish. They’re not only protein-rich, these super foods help aid in the absorption of calcium and protein, two key ingredients needed to make strong teeth.
What should you avoid? When possible, stay away from foods that can get stuck between your teeth and lead to the break down of enamel like sugary sodas, white bread, and gummy candies. When you must, make sure these snacks are given when children can brush their teeth after the meal.
Have a question about what to pack your kids for lunch? Leave me a comment below!
Photo Credit: Healthy Lunch Ideas
