Maintaining Proper Nutrition with Dentures

Maintaining proper nutrition is at the forefront of most health-conscious people. But, naturally this objective can be just a bit trickier with dentures, particularly when one is becoming accustomed to new dentures. If good eating habits have been overlooked for awhile due to problems with the teeth, it is important to get back into good habits again. It may help to know there are tens of millions of Americans wearing dentures every day.

Smoothies and juices
While adjusting to new dentures, many people are inclined to avoid chewing, so a blender and a juicer will come in handy. Plenty of fruits and vegetables can be whisked into delicious smoothies and juices. Try adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or yogurt to seedless berries and kiwi for a great smoothie that has calcium for maintaining a healthy jaw bone. Blueberries, a noted superfood, are full of vitamins and antioxidants. Kiwis are rich in vitamin C and vitamin K. Try carrot juice, tomato juice, vegetable juice, apple juice and more of your favorites, either store-bought or made at home. If citrus flavors don't appeal so much, that's fine for now.

Purees and soft foods
In the category of quick and easy to make with a blender or just in a mixing bowl, healthy suggestions include homemade apple sauce, lentil soup, yogurt, eggs, bananas, oatmeal, quinoa, mashed potatoes, and guacamole. All-natural hummus, based on chickpeas, is one of the world's oldest foods, recognized for its fiber and nutrients. Lentils and chickpeas provide protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins minerals such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, which play a variety of roles in maintaining good health. Quinoa is known as brain food for its rich nutrients which far outweigh those of rice. Avocados have 35% more potassium than bananas and are rich in vitamin B and vitamin E.

Solid foods
When introducing solids, consider nutritious foods that are easier to chew. Fish and lean poultry fall into this category. Tuna is good as a salad without the toast; grilled cheese made with unprocessed American cheese is recommended by Livestrong. Eggs on a muffin, sliced tomato and mozzarella, and fresh pasta are all part of a balanced diet. If you get a craving for meat, dishes such as lasagna, meat loaf, and chili con carne would be a great use of lean meat with vegetables included in the recipe. For steak, go with slow-cooked casseroles or stews with plenty of vegetables tossed in. The bonus is that the crunchiest of vegetables will soften up in a slow cooker without losing any nutritional value as when boiling them. Two other cooking methods for enjoying crunchy vegetables are grilling and stir-fry.

Just smile!
The real objective is to feel comfortable and secure, to establish and maintain a healthy diet, to smile with ease and be relaxed when talking. To build up your confidence and comfort, try using Fixodent Denture Adhesive. There are several different types of adhesive, as everyone's circumstances vary. Gather the information you need and then go ahead and try a nutritious food that was previously off your list.

Content by Laurie Jo Miller Farr.