Top 10 Warm and Tooth-Friendly Snacks for Winter

Many of us tend to eat more when the weather turns cold, and it’s not only because the holidays are filled with tempting delicacies. Being cold causes us to burn more calories simply to stay warm, and this means that we tend to feel more peckish as the mercury drops. This can be a real challenge for those of us starting out the year with resolutions related to diet and health.

Fortunately, your Kansas City family dentist at Blacker Family Dental has cooked up a list of 10 perfect between-meal snacks that will fuel you up in the cold weather and help you get through the day without negatively impacting your health—or your teeth! Stay warm, stay healthy, and keep reading for some tasty ideas!

1. Spiced Roasted Chickpeas. Roasted chickpeas make a delightfully crunchy, crispy snack that your teeth will love. Combine them with paprika or cayenne to add a little heat that will warm you up on a cold day.
2. Pepper Jack Cheese Slices. Cheese is a great tooth-friendly option and, if you want to add a spicy twist, pepper jack is the way to go!
3. Whole Grain Crackers and Spicy Guacamole. Avocados are a superfood for a reason, and guacamole is loaded with healthy fats and other nutrients. Most guac is already at least a little spicy, but you can add a pop of extra heat with some jalapenos or red pepper flakes.
4. Roasted Almonds or Cashews. Nuts are healthy, delicious, filling, and convenient for snacking. While nuts make appropriate snacks all year round, roasted nuts are particularly popular when the weather turns chilly.
5. Spicy Trail Mix. Avoid most store-bought trail mixes, which are often loaded with dried fruits and even candies that are high in sugar and not great for your teeth. Instead, make your own trail mix at home with ingredients such as cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and roasted chickpeas. Add a sprinkle of cayenne or chili powder to bring some heat.
6. Homemade Vegetable Soup. Sure, this one may seem more like a meal than a snack, but you can pack a warm vegetable soup into a thermos and have it as a between-meal pick-me-up any time of the day.
7. Hummus with Vegetable Sticks. Crisp vegetables are like “nature’s toothbrushes.” Cut carrots, cucumbers, celery, or bell peppers into strips and dip them in hummus, which is a great source of protein and calcium. A sprinkle of your favorite hot spice can add a pleasant kick!
8. Sweet Potato Wedges. Anything that you roast in the oven is going to feel warm and cozy on a cold winter day, and sweet potatoes are a naturally delicious food that tastes sweet but isn’t too hard on your teeth.
9. Hard-Boiled Eggs. Combining the protein and vitamins of eggs with easy portability makes hard-boiled eggs a winning combo. They’re easy to make ahead of time and store in the fridge, and you can crack them open and eat them anywhere!
10. Herbal Tea with Cheese and Crackers. Unsweetened tea can help prevent dry mouth, and warm tea is a delight in the wintertime. Tea goes great with cheese and whole-grain crackers, too.

As you can see, snacking during the cold winter months doesn’t have to compromise your New Year’s resolutions or your oral health, so long as you choose one of these diet- and tooth-friendly options.

Remember, Blacker Family Dental is your Kansas City family dentist, providing dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, routine checkups, Invisalign treatments, and more all year round. Call (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment today!