Work Lunch Ideas

[MelRoberg]

I got my braces fitted in December and have just started work in 2014. I am struggling to find quick/easy lunch ideas that do not take alot of time to prepare/cut up and eat. I have a very busy lifestyle and am even thinking of drinking a meal replacement at lunch time.

Also keeping in mind the cleaning that is involved in the work restroom.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated!

[kathydell]

At first, I wasn't very brave and stuck to yogurt, pudding, pasta, etc. A couple months in, I got brave and started exploring what I could have at lunch meetings and in between meetings that was quicker. Honestly, the only things I stay away from now are the forbidden foods and if we have a box lunch during a meeting, I don't eat the bread of the sandwich. I've found any kind of bread is just horrifying if you can't brush right away. I just always make sure I have a glass of water. You would be amazed what you can just swish away until you can brush. I also keep a supply of the GUM picks and a hand mirror in my desk along with tooth brush and toothpaste. Don't worry so much about brushing your teeth in the work bathroom. As long as you're discreet and neat, I've found nobody really cares and people actually commend you and say they should be more diligent about it.

[monkey123]

I've been getting pots of pasta from my local shop - easy to swallow. As the other poster said swishing with water clears most of it. I also take a tee pee brush just to clean inbetween the brackets.

[MrsCharisma]

Ditto avoiding bread (it's like GLUE in the brackets - ugh). Soups, chili, pasta.

I am lucky that on my side of the building I am the only woman and basically think of that bathroom as "MINE"! I usually floss at work at least once a day. BUT if I don't have time to floss then yes, the interdental brush in between brackets followed by brushing helps until I can floss. And swishing. Swishing works.

[amm531]

I've been bringing really soft stuff (soups, cottage cheese, yogurt). I've been able to eat fruit like mandarin oranges and pineapple but you definitely need to brush after those. Today I branched out and brought an avocado and some cheese. It's been a week since I've had my braces on and I haven't really been able to eat anything tough yet. Unfortunately, I have my extractions scheduled for next week so it looks like soft food for me indefinitely :(

[cs2thecox]

You adjust pretty fast and can manage a lot more than you think at first.
Although hot pizza is much easier than cold.
I get away with sandwiches because I have linguals and can swish the bread out later (the cheaper the bread, the worse it is!).
Anything you have to eat with a knife and fork is going to be pretty much fine because you can cut it up quite small.
And most Asian food that is traditionally eaten with chopsticks because it's all slurpable or bite size anyway.

I'm 2 months in and STILL dreaming of crunchy baguettes though... Sigh.

[eatcake247]

If you don't mind brushing afterwards, I've eaten risotto, broiled fish filets w/rice, deli meat or tuna sandwich on soft bread (remove all the crust part), soup, soup w/ rice, cheese enchiladas, soggy fish sticks or chicken SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM (eww I know lol) or a lunch with just side dishes like mash potato, sweet potato, cream of spinach, overcooked green bean caserole, and rice & beans. Hope this helps!