Do you have a toothache? An upcoming Tooth Extraction? Need some soft food inspiration? With added holistic healing properties?

Food is powerful.
It can help you. It can hurt you. It can be not very clear. Remember, being a kid and needing to “make a happy plate” is not the trend anymore. Food is a pathway to wellness and healing.

Preparing For After The Tooth Extraction

To prepare myself for my wisdom tooth extraction surgery, I did some research on what I would be able to eat afterward. Most of the time, I came across other people saying they ate pudding, applesauce, and ice cream. It has little nutritional value, is high in carbs, and has little protein.

After undergoing surgery, your body needs all the nutrients it can get to heal well and fast, including protein, which helps repair muscle.

I came up with a few options that seemed much better, especially how I eat.

So I went to the store to grab the food and other items to help me recover, including

  • a blender. I’ve been making soft foods and purees for people of all ages for decades.
  • Ice packs – Swelling hurts. Ice packs help. Get the Ice Packs!
  • A sudoku book – Puzzles. It is a great way to get your mind off your mouth, irritation, and pain.

The Basic Soft Foods with Nutritional Value

I planned on eating the essential soft foods, which included.

  • Cottage cheese – creamy and full of protein.
  • Bone broth is a great sipping drink filling and has lots of healing protein.
  • Cream of wheat – Delicious carbs that pack some great vitamins.
  • Scrambled eggs – The Perfect Food.
  • Drinking lots of protein shakes – When in doubt, BSN Protein to the rescue!
  • Greek Yogurt – Filled with all the good gut bacteria.

Soft Foods with Character

But I also wanted something more. I wanted different things I don’t usually eat to have something to look forward to! It was a treat for me since I had teeth pulled from my head.

The Main Meal Ideas

The day before my surgery, I made
  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Mashed Cauliflower
  • Lentil Soup
  • Green Veggie Soup
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Pudding.
It’s not so dull.

I knew I wouldn’t want to cook for them for a day or two.

So, I also made a considerable lasagna for my husband and toddler. I wanted them to have something that they could heat and eat while I was recovering. Leaving me alone to heal and not have to think about food I couldn’t eat.

Dinner The Night Before Surgery

Knowing I couldn’t chew for a few days, I marinaded and ate a nice big strip steak for the night.

Steak is full of protein, creatine, and amino acids – the building blocks for everyone. You need these items for growth and maintenance, and with the surgery the next day, I needed all the good building nutrients I could get.

Steak is also loaded with other nutrients.

  • Vitamin B12 – helps to promote blood formation. (Surgery comes with some blood loss.)
  • Iron is also an excellent mineral for your blood.
  • Zinc – an essential mineral for growth, recovery of tissues, and maintenance.

Recipes

Green Soup by Yoga With Adriene

I got the recipe for the green veggie soup from Yoga With Adreine. For the recipe, visit her website.

Ingredients For Yoga With Adriene’s Green Soup

It was so delicious! Now, it’s one of my favorite soups. Once winter makes its way back around, I will add this to the bi-weekly rotation.

I ate the Green Soup with the mashed sweet potatoes the day of my surgery. It is super nutritious, and I feel like it helped me heal quickly.

Lentil SoupIngredients For Lentil Soup

Ingredients For Lentil Soup

The Lentil soup was super easy. Just chop up carrots and onion, and throw in a pot with lots of garlic and olive oil to cook until soft. Then, add in broth; I used chicken broth, but next time, I plan on using bone broth to increase the grams of protein, turmeric, and lentils.

Bring to a boil and simmer until the lentils are cooked well.

Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Super easy and super yummy!

Use a blender to make Lentil Soup Super SmoothUse a blender to make Lentil Soup Super Smooth.

I ate the Lentil soup and mashed cauliflower for dinner the day after my surgery. It was easy to eat, but I had difficulty getting the soup from a spoon, so I drank it out of a bowl more.

The turmeric helps with inflammation, and I’m not sure if it is a coincidence, but I didn’t swell up much. It was hardly noticeable, especially if you knew I had all four teeth removed.

Lentil Soup

A delicious vegetarian Soup that is loaded with anti-inflammatory nutrients.

  • 1 TBSP Olive oil
  • 2 Clove Minced Garlic
  • 3 Whole Carrots
  • 1 Onion (Diced)
  • 6 Cups Broth (You can use water too)
  • 1/2 TSP Turmeric (Or More to your preference)
  • 1/4 TSP Cumin
  • 1/4 TSP Salt (Or to taste)
  1. Over medium-low heat, saute garlic and onion until translucent.

    Add carrots and stir for a few more minutes.

    Add broth and lentils, boil, and simmer for one hour or until the lentils are cooked through.

    Add spices and puree in a blender until you reach your desired consistency.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein

The Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Pudding was my post-op indulgence.

I just started throwing ingredients in a bowl while on the food scale; it makes measuring and mixing it up easier.

I used Vanilla Greek Yogurt, Chocolate Protein Powder, Pb2 Powdered Peanut Butter, and a little milk.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Pudding

Super easy and delicious pudding. Filled with nutrients and protein! Perfect as a snack or when you are on the mend.

  • 8 oz Vanilla Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Scoop Chocolate Protein
  • 2 TBSP Pb2 Powdered Peanut Butter
  • 20 Milliliter Milk
  1. Put all ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Makes two servings.

I hope this helps you heal or gives you some new delicious ideas.

While you are keeping your feet up to heal up, here are some great book recommendations to keep your mind active and healthy, too!