Whether you've had your jaw wired shut as part of an operation or because of an accident, it's no surprise that eating and getting proper daily nutrition can be difficult. With few exceptions, solid foods are generally not going to be a part of your meals while your jaw is wired. It is imperative, then, to determine how best to get the vitamins and minerals you need from a largely liquid-based diet.
Fundamentals: What You Need Daily
Registered nurses Joan C. McIntyre and Kimiko C. Carey have laid out a very clear dietary regimen for those who are forced to alter their diet because of jaw wiring. The daily meal plan includes two or more 8 oz. servings of milk, two or more servings of meat or eggs (an adequate serving of meat is about 6 oz.), at least four servings of cereal, and at least four servings of fruits and vegetables.
They also recommend that you drink smaller meals throughout the day instead of three larger meals per day; think six small- to medium-sized liquid-based meals, spaced more or less evenly throughout the day. Doing so will lessen the possibility of nausea, which may occur in some people as their bodies try to get used to eating pureed foods that would normally be eaten in solid form.
Prepare Liquid Meals
Off-putting as it may sound, you will need to blend or process your solid foods such as meat, breads, fruits and vegetables. Servings of cooked meat can be pureed with a vegetable-based or meat-based broth (a gravy), or as part of a sauce that the meat would normally be served with (i.e., spaghetti sauce with meatballs). Vegetables and legumes with skins, such as corn and black beans, will need to be strained after pureeing, so that the skins don't wind up being caught between teeth that will be hard to reach with floss because your jaw is wired.
Liquid Meal Ideas
Physicians at Hamilton Health Sciences, an association of six hospitals based in Ontario, have planned a clear-cut example of what a liquid diet for one day would look like. A breakfast might consist of 8 oz. of 100 percent fruit juice, one serving of Cream of Wheat, one serving of yogurt that as been liquified with low-fat milk, and a cup of tea or coffee. Lunch could be a blended and liquified soup of meat, poultry or fish, pureed with cooked vegetables and broth. This main meal would be accompanied by a serving of low-fat milk, applesauce liquified with fruit juice, and tea or coffee.
For dinner, spaghetti and meatballs (with tomato sauce), could be pureed in a blender or food processor as your main meal. A side of vegetables can also be pureed, though pureeing leafy greens for a side salad may prove difficult unless the greens are pureed with a vegetable broth or vegetable juice. For a beverage to accompany your dinner, a serving of fruit juice blended with pieces of fresh or frozen fruit will help to satisfy your fruit and vegetable requirements.
Have small liquified snacks between meals, such as protein powder added to low-fat milk, a yogurt and fruit smoothie, or a serving of vegetable juice.
It is also important to remember to drink 48-64 oz. of water per day, add fiber supplements such as bran or flaxseed to fruit-puree beverages, and get some form of exercise every day while on a liquid-based diet. Not following these guidelines can result in constipation.
