Take control of the Thanksgiving menu this year, and wow everyone with an incredible TMJ-friendly meal the whole family will enjoy. Keep reading for tips and ideas that TMD patients can use to fill their table with Thanksgiving food that they won’t regret eating after the meal is over.
TMJ-Friendly Thanksgiving Appetizers
The best appetizers are light and don’t require much chewing since there will be plenty of that happening during the main course. For TMD patients this is particularly important, because you don’t want to overwork the jaw early in the dinner. Appetizers to try include:
- Deviled Eggs – add smoked salmon for an interesting twist
- Squash Soup
- Pumpkin Soup
- Soft Cheeses
- Apple and Cheese Wraps
TMJ-Friendly Thanksgiving Side Dishes
It’s easy to overload on side dishes since there are so many great Thanksgiving options to choose. But if you’re a TMD patient you don’t want to overdo it with the chewing. Try limiting to three side dishes for variety that won’t tempt you to eat too much. Side dishes to try include:
- Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Pumpkin and Feta Risotto
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Squash Casserole
- Stuffing
- Biscuits – opt for layered biscuits that are fluffy, soft and melt in the mouth
TMJ-Friendly Thanksgiving Main Dishes
Meat is the focus of most main dishes, and during Thanksgiving this is definitely the case. The problem for people with TMD is that meat is often tough to chew through. For your main dish the more tender the meat is the better. Main dishes to try include:
- Turkey Casserole
- Pulled Pork
- Pot Roast
- Ham – center portion cut into small bites
TMJ-Friendly Thanksgiving Desserts
The good news for people with TMD is that at the end of the meal there are a few classic Thanksgiving desserts that are very easy on the jaw. Desserts to try include:
- Pumpkin Pie – you may have to cut the edge crust away
- Candied Yams
- Cranberry Sauce
- Apple Cinnamon Oat Smoothie
Before whipping up a TMJ-friendly, five-star meal for friends and family make an appointment with the professionals at MedCenter TMJ. Dr. Auvenshine and Dr. Pettit have helped hundreds of patients have a happier Thanksgiving by providing a thorough TMJ diagnosis and innovative treatment plans that address a variety of TMJ-related pain.
Original Source: https://www.medcentertmj.com/healthy-living/tmj-friendly-foods-thanksgiving/