Dozens of options for broken jaw foods will keep you busy in the kitchen while you heal.
For sufferers, the true pain of a broken jaw comes not from the initial accident, but from the average of six weeks spent trying to find foods to eat with a wired jaw. Many doctors advocate "anything that can be fit in a blender" as diet options, as long as you are meeting your personal caloric and dietary needs each day, you have plenty of options to keep your body and taste buds satisfied during your recovery.
Meal Shakes
Full meal shakes are perhaps the easiest way to maintain proper nutrition while on a liquid diet. Available in an assortment of flavors and brands, like strawberry or chocolate, you can mix with milk, juice, or water depending on your tastes and nutritional needs.
Yogurt
Plain or blended yogurt is a terrific source of calcium and protein, both important to your recovery. Combine with milk, juice, or fruit to create smoothies and shakes.
Puddings and Gelatin
Good for snacking between meals, these foods are lower in nutrition, but offer a nice break from the constant protein-driving of many other broken jaw foods.
Soups
Soups can be blended or thinned with broth to make sippable, and can provide valuable protein to help maintain weight.
Baby Food
While some find the idea disgusting, baby foods offer good nutrition as pre-made snacks and meals, especially on the go when a blender is not convenient.
Oatmeal and Hot Cereal
While whole oats may be difficult to pass through a straw, blending oatmeal with a little milk or cream can help dilute it to the proper consistency without sacrificing flavor or too much of the texture.
Blended Foods
Almost any meal can be run through a blender, but soft foods such as mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed vegetables, or rice will generally be more appealing mentally. If you can overcome the visual aspect of consuming these dinner "smoothies," you'll find that almost anything the rest of the family is eating can be tossed into the blender with a little broth, milk, or water to thin. Meats and gravies mixed with veggies can be blended and eaten like pureed stew in any number of combinations.
Supplements
The most important part of preparing a broken jaw diet is making sure that your body receives adequate nutrition during the healing process. Protein and calcium supplements are great additions to your meals, and once a day a high quality liquid or ground vitamin should be added to your drink or smoothie. Write down your caloric intake, and consult regularly with your doctor, especially if you begin to lose weight.
