Cooking this week: Foods that are good for your teeth
Having healthy teeth doesn’t always just come from brushing often and seeing a dentist.
Having healthy teeth doesn't just result from brushing often and seeing a dentist.
If you want that perfect smile, there are many fruits and veggies that can give you strong, white teeth and healthy gums due to the vitamins and minerals they contain.
Bell peppers, a good source of Vitamin C, can improve and restore your gum health. Consuming carrots can help prevent tooth decay due to its natural fluoride. And if you're not around a toothbrush, apples are the next best thing! This fruit cleans your teeth as your eating it due to its crisp texture.
So if you want a glowing smile, it's time to start cooking with these fruits and veggies! We've included some of these foods and more in the recipes below to plan out your meals for the week.
The meals include chicken, fish, salad, stir-fry, and pasta dishes. All are less than 450 calories per serving.
Monday: Braised chicken with kale
Kale is a good source of calcium, which can help keep your teeth strong. This chicken in this recipe is braised with kale, garlic and fire-roasted tomatoes for a flavorful, protein-packed meal.
Per serving: 412 calories; 15.7g fat, 22.8g carbohydrates, 45.9g protein, 3.7g fiber
View recipe on myrecipes.com >
Tuesday: Poached halibut with fennel and cauliflower
This seafood dish contains carrots, which can help prevent tooth decay. Low in fat, the recipe also includes cauliflower, onions, lemon juice, and cloves, and takes a half-hour to make!
Per serving: 243 calories; 4g fat, 13g carbohydrates, 38g protein, 4g fiber
Wednesday: Roasted apple and cheddar salad
Here's a simple salad that can help keep your teeth clean while you consume it, due to the apples. With just a few other ingredients, including cheddar, walnuts and spinach, this light meal can be enjoyed for less than 200 calories.
Per serving: 191 calories; 14g fat, 14g carbohydrates, 4g protein, 4g fiber
View recipe on eatingwell.com >
Thursday: Spicy shrimp, cashew & celery stir-fry
Celery is another veggie that is good for your teeth due to its natural fibers and crunchy texture, which scrapes away plaque. This stir-fry only takes 15 minutes to make, and also contains scallions, cashews, shrimp, and garlic.
Per serving: 382 calories; 24g fat, 14g carbohydrates, 29g protein, 3g fiber
View recipe on foodnetwork.com >
Friday: Sweet potato and red pepper pasta
The red bell peppers in this meal are good for your gums due to its Vitamin C. The recipe uses whole-wheat pasta, and other healthy ingredients such as sweet potatoes and tomatoes.
Per serving: 402 calories; 12g fat, 62g carbohydrates, 12g protein, 9g fiber