Summertime is when we spend a lot more time outdoors enjoying some beautiful weather! It is also the time of year when there are many picnics, BBQs, and family get-togethers planned where there is lots of great food to eat! But if you are wearing braces, you may be wondering if all of these tasty snacks and meals are okay to eat, as there are some summer foods you must avoid that can damage your braces, like corn-on-the-cob and sticky or chewy treats. Here are a couple recipes to try which are easy on the braces and very delicious!

Summer Tortellini Salad

This refreshing and healthy salad will be a big hit with every crowd! Here is what you will need:

• Ingredients:
• Salad
• 1 (20 ounce) bag fresh cheese tortellini pasta
• 2 yellow bell peppers cut into small, bite-sized pieces
• 1 cucumber, cut into small pieces
• ½ medium red onion, chopped in small pieces
• 16 ounces cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
• 2 cups diced ham
• 1 (14 ounce) can of pineapple chunks (reserve the juice for the dressing)
• Dressing
• ½ cup low fat sour cream
• ½ cup pineapple juice (from the can)
• 1 T sugar
• 1 T Dijon mustard
• 1 t freshly grated garlic
• 2 t freshly grated ginger
• dash of black pepper

Directions:

Cook the pasta according to package directions and drain & set aside. Place all the salad ingredients in a large bowl and combine. Put the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake until mixed well. Pour the dressing over the salad and serve immediately. Serves 6 to 8.

Homemade Fruit Slushie

There is nothing that will cool you down faster on a hot summer day than a frozen slushie! But you do not have to head to the nearest convenience store to get one because it is easy to make your own right at home!

• Ingredients:
• 2 cups of your favorite combination of fresh fruits, chopped
• 1 cup ice
• ¼ cup sparkling water

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients together in a blender and mix on high until the ice is completely crushed and the fruit is blended. Pour into a tall glass, add a straw and enjoy!
Note: For some extra flavor, you can add warmed honey to the mix as well as crushed basil or mint (depending on the type of fruits you use) or a couple squeezes of fresh lemon or lime juice.

Contact Us Today!

Not only do these summer recipes taste amazing, but they are also given the seal of approval from your Barrington and Portsmouth orthodontist because they are easy on your braces! The team at Jaffe Orthodontics hopes all our patients and their families have a fun-filled and safe summer season! If you have any questions, contact us at (401) 245-2626 for our Barrington office or (401) 293-5555 for our Portsmouth office. We look forward to seeing your smile soon!

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