Everyone loves a good sweet snack once in a while, but unfortunately, that includes the bacteria in our mouths. Those little germs’ favorite food in the world is sugary treats, and the more sugar they get, the more they put our teeth at risk of tooth decay.
So how can you satisfy your sweet tooth without giving your harmful oral bacteria a treat? By snacking healthy!
A Few Healthy Treats To Enjoy
Sometimes it seems like the healthy snacks are the ones that take longer to make or cost more, but that isn’t always true! So before you reach for that jelly-filled doughnut or bowl of ice cream, take a look at some of these quick, affordable, tasty options that will satisfy your sweet tooth but are better for your teeth:
Frozen Dark Chocolate Bananas – This treat is great because bananas are full of important nutrients that help keep teeth and gums strong, and dark chocolate is good for your teeth too. (You could also switch things up and put the coconut whipped cream on the bananas and the dark chocolate on the strawberries!)
Yogurt & Granola – Yogurt is one of the best sources of probiotics. Crowd out that harmful bacteria in your mouth with the good bacteria in yogurt. Yogurt is also a great source of calcium for building strong teeth.
Fruit Bowls – You can never go wrong by throwing together a bowl of berries and sliced fruit. While fruit does contain natural sugar, eating it whole is much healthier than drinking fruit juice (which isn’t much better for your teeth than soda). The fiber in the whole fruit makes it harder for the sugar to reach your teeth (or your digestive system!), and you get all the great vitamins too!
Check out this video for a brownie recipe that leaves out the refined sugar!
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If you like these treats and want regular ideas to satisfy your sweet tooth, we have you covered! Follow our Facebook page for more mouth healthy nutrition tips. Meanwhile, don’t forget to keep up your other good oral health habits, such as brushing twice daily for two minutes, flossing, and scheduling those regular dental appointments!
Sample Local Flavor
We’re fortunate to live in New Hampshire where fresh fruits will be abundant in the coming months, if you know where to find them. Check out the New Hampshire Harvest Calendar from pickyourown.org. Find what’s in season and schedule a family outing or even a day date with your sweetheart to get outdoors, support our local farms and try out these delicious recipes. It’s good for you – it’s good for everyone!