If you’re like us, you’re excited about all the wonderful flavors and dishes unique to this time of year. We love food as much as the next person, but as dental professionals, we also know that it’s essential to make responsible food choices and take steps to protect your oral health. All of the sticky, gooey, rich, and creamy treats and dishes that are coming our way can be a minefield for the health of our teeth. Thankfully a little moderation and a few healthy choices can make all the difference. Cooking up delicious meals that your teeth will benefit from is another great step! These recipes will give you tooth-healthy options to bring to holiday dinners that everyone will love.
Cheese & Broccoli Cream Soup
There’s nothing like a rich and hearty soup to help drive away the cold winter chill. As the frost gathers on the window sill and the temperatures drop low enough to turn the heater on, it’s a great time to try this recipe. Calcium enriched cheese and green vegetables rich in iron not only taste great but also support your dental health!
Ingredients:
3 c stock (vegetable or chicken)
2 c broccoli (or to taste)
1 c diced white onion
3 large carrots
2 garlic cloves
½ t salt
¼ t pepper
¾ c heavy whipped cream
4 oz of rich, sharp cheddar, shredded
Directions:
Take the vegetables and reduce them to a rough chop, and then mince the garlic finely. Place the stock on the stove until it reaches a rolling boil and toss in the above mixture. At this point in the preparation, you can lower the heat to a gentle simmer and let it cook until the broccoli is fork-tender. You then remove the mix from the heat and give it a good blend. Put the soup back into your saucepan and give it a bit of heart by adding cheese and cream. Be sure to save enough cheese to sprinkle on top!
Caramel Infused Yogurt Dip
There’s nothing like crisp Granny Smith apples dipped into this delicious blend of yogurt and caramel to add a tangy-sweet note to any family gather. It’s safe for your teeth too!
Ingredients:
¼ t salt
1 T real honey
¼ c dark brown sugar
6 oz yogurt (plain)
1 t real vanilla extract
Combine the syrup, salt, and sugar together in a saucepan and give the sugar time to melt in the heat. Remove it from the heat and put in the yogurt and vanilla, stirring all the while. Give it some time to cool, and then serve it with sliced apple, papaya, or banana slices.
The team at Waco Dental knows how important food is to any holiday celebration and that not indulging simply isn’t an option. These are just a couple of recipe options that can be used to add some healthy choices to the family feast. Want to learn more ways to protect your teeth? Reach out to Dr. Alan Martin at our office in Waco, TX today!
