3 Delicious, Nutritious Soft Foods You Can Eat The First 2 Days After Dental Implant Surgery

After having dental implant surgery, you may have been instructed to eat only cold, soft foods for the first couple of days afterward. You may think this means you can only have bland, boring foods. However, there are several foods you can prepare that not only adhere to your dentist's guidelines, but they are delicious and nutritious as well.

Cold Basil Pesto Orzo

The orzo that provides the base for this cold basil pesto dish becomes very soft when prepared, and its small size means you do not have to struggle with chewing and risk damaging your incision sites. 

This tasty pasta dish is flavored with aromatic, fresh basil. Not only does the herb provide seasoning for the dish, it may help your implant incisions heal faster and prevent infection. Basil contains 345% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin K, which is essential for helping your blood clot. The herb also has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

To make this dish, prepare 1 cup of orzo according to the package's instructions. When cooked, rinse it with cold water, then set it aside in a medium-size bowl.

In a food processor, combine 2 cups of fresh basil leaves, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of cold water and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix the ingredients on high for 15 seconds or until smooth.

Pour the pesto sauce over the orzo. Mix until the pasta is fully coated. Then, cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator. Chill for 1 hour before eating.

Broccoli And Cheese Omelet

This broccoli and cheese omelet is soft, delicious and packed with protein and nutrients. Broccoli contains 303% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, as well as 11% calcium and 10% iron. These nutrients can help your body heal faster and replace any blood iron lost during the surgery.

To make the broccoli soft enough to eat, cut the florets into small pieces. In a small skillet, saute one cup of the pieces in a tablespoon of butter on medium high heat for 5 minutes, then reduce to low heat. Then, add two tablespoons of water, cover, and simmer for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

While the broccoli is simmering, beat two eggs in a small bowl with salt and pepper to taste. Drain the water from the broccoli, and pour the eggs over it. Cook until the eggs are almost cooked. Top with a tablespoon of shredded cheese, then flip one side of the combination over the other. Cook for an additional minute to melt the cheese, then remove and eat.

Chocolate-Banana Smoothie

If you are not quite ready to eat, you can drink your meal instead with a chocolate-banana smoothie. The banana in this mixture not only adds a rich texture and fruity taste, but it also helps replace vitamins and electrolytes that can be lost after implant surgery. One cup of mashed banana contains 23% potassium, 15% magnesium and 33% vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system and aids in healing.

In a blender, add 1 cup of chocolate milk, 1 cup of mashed, ripe banana and a 1/2 cup of plain yogurt. Blend on medium until the mixture is smooth. If you feel it is too thick to drink, add more chocolate milk a tablespoon at a time, blending afterward, until the smoothie reaches your desired consistency.

While this recipe calls for regular chocolate milk, you can also substitute either chocolate soy or almond milk. If you wish to have a little more protein to the smoothie, add a tablespoon high-quality, vegan protein powder.

The above foods provide just a sampling of the tasty treats you can enjoy while recovering from your dental implant surgery. If you would like more ideas on what you can eat, you may want to contact your oral surgeon's office to ask for recommendations.

For more information about dental implants, contact a practice like Van Buskirk & Krischke DDS, LLC.