# TMJ food recommendations (need answer kinda fast) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [May 21, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628 "2025-05-21T16:31:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/1 "2025-05-21T16:31:06Z")
So Mrs. Cardigan couldn’t open her jaw this morning. She went to a dentist who told her she’s got severe episode of TMJ and recommends she ‘eat’ with a straw. Apart from a Wendy’s Frosty, what other food suggestions might there be? I’m heading out to Meijer shortly. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/2 "2025-05-21T16:35:39Z")
She needs nutrition, not a frosted sweet drink. Do you have a place within reasonable distance that sells quality smoothies and not frosted crap? ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/3 "2025-05-21T16:36:13Z")
There’s a Smoothie King not far away ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/4 "2025-05-21T16:37:23Z")
Sounds good! I actually make my own with a blender, this way I have the nutritious fruits I love and no added sugar. Cheaper, too. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/5 "2025-05-21T16:39:07Z")
> **[The Best (& Worst) Foods to Eat for TMJ Disorder](https://www.billpoedds.com/blog/2022/10/03/best-worst-foods-eat-tmj-disorder/)** > > Do you have jaw pain? Here are some suggestions for foods to enjoy (and avoid) when you're dealing with TMJ disorder symptoms. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/6 "2025-05-21T16:40:08Z")
Chicken broth. Bone broth. Squeeze up applesauce (might be near the baby food) ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/7 "2025-05-21T16:40:46Z")
Smoothies would be a good choice. You can add protein powder if necessary. Check your grocery store for frozen smoothie kits. They are a mix of frozen fruit that you put in a blender with OJ or milk. If they don’t have the kits, get a few bags of frozen fruits and make your own. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/8 "2025-05-21T16:43:38Z")
Kale smoothies are great tasting easy. Baby kale Banana Plain yogurt Any frozen fruit(I like raspberries) Orange juice or other. Blend til, ummm…it’s a smoothie! I think you can get protein powder to add, to up its value. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/9 "2025-05-21T16:47:20Z")
Never tried the Kale in a smoothie, so I’ll give your suggestion! Now that it is (allegedly) gonna get hot and I’ll be off, smoothies are usually my standard breakbast. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/10 "2025-05-21T17:13:55Z")
There are, of course, nutritional supplement drinks like Ensure that one could consume, though I am not a fan of how they taste. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/11 "2025-05-21T18:30:33Z")
Just an additional aside, if she’s having a painful and stressful TMJ episode (which, well, duh) having some of the food being delicious and comforting may be a point to consider above and beyond just the nutrition. So I’d suggest banana’s foster crumble shake. 3 ripe bananas, sliced lengthwise. Cook in a medium hot skillet with a bit of butter, flip once, then sprinkle a little bit of dark brown sugar, a touch of cinnamon, and (if health and circumstances allow) maybe a half shot of a nice dark rum, plus a small pinch of salt, cook until much of the alcohol is evaporated. Meanwhile, lightly toast say 1/3 a cup of instant oats (not that I’d eat such as instant oatmeal, but they’re a good ingredient), and 1/4 cup of your preferred nuts (pecan for me, walnuts for my wife, you know you). Using a pretty powerful blender, start with a few cups of plain yogurt (full fat is my preference, yours may vary), and add the toasted nuts and oats, blending until smooth and then the bananas last (they won’t need much to get smooth) along with a touch of vanilla extract. Add a little milk or milk like product to get a consistency that works well with a straw, because otherwise it might be a bit thick. Add additional flavors at the end to suite tastes (more rum, cinnamon, sugar, what have you). You’ll get some decent nutrition, but it’ll also be a comforting dessert option in a stressful situation. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/12 "2025-05-21T18:45:12Z")
The only green I’ve found that doesn’t work in a smoothie is cabbage. Yuck. Avocado works well, too. Yes, there are hundreds of canned nutrition drink choices. Most, I find, are not all that tasty. Some are down right disgusting. (I mean you “Tropical Pina-colada” you had such promise, and just lied) So don’t buy a case of any flavor. Try, first. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/13 "2025-05-21T18:53:49Z")
I know nothing about TMJ. But after surgery and general weakness, there’s a go-to food supplement recommended by my doctor called Ensure. It’s kinda milk-shaky. Tastes okay, too. > **[Amazon.com: Ensure Original Milk Chocolate Nutrition Shake | Meal Replacement...](https://www.amazon.com/Ensure-Original-Nutrition-Replacement-Chocolate/dp/B0014E1ARS)** > > Ensure Original nutrition shakes have 9 grams of protein and 27 vitamins and minerals. Ensure nutritional shakes support immune health by supplying protein, vitamins A and D, zinc, and vitamins C and E. These shakes are kosher, halal, and suitable... ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/14 "2025-05-22T11:52:00Z")
Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ve got her started on a variety of smoothies, butternut squash soup, and applesauce ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/15 "2025-05-22T12:29:05Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > There are, of course, nutritional supplement drinks like Ensure that one could consume, though I am not a fan of how they taste You can cook with it or mix it into a soup if you don’t like it by itself. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/16 "2025-05-22T14:27:16Z")
Baby food (no, not ground up babies) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/17 "2025-05-22T14:46:31Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > There are, of course, nutritional supplement drinks like Ensure that one could consume > [@chappachula](#): > > there’s a go-to food supplement recommended by my doctor called Ensure. One thing to keep in mind, those commercial supplement drinks are high in sugar. My BIL, who had type II diabetes, was drinking a lot of those because he thought they were healthy, and spiked his blood sugar dangerously. The above recs for homemade smoothies in a blender are probably the best idea. You know exactly what’s going into them and can adjust ingredients for maximum nutrition and preferred tastes. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/18 "2025-05-22T14:58:36Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Avocado works well, too. Yeah. I make smoothies with a scoop of protein powder (chocolate or vanilla - no weird flavours), some kefir (plain) and milk, half an avocado and some berries. Sometimes a bit of frozen spinach as well. ---
**Author:** ![Apodder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apodder/32/17727_2.png) [@Apodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apodder)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/19 "2025-05-23T01:06:58Z")
Premier Protein shakes have 30 gms protein and only 1 gm of sugar. They taste pretty good, too. Chocolate, chocolate mint, latte, and banana are my faves. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628/20 "2025-05-23T01:13:04Z")
Yes. Some of the meal replacement drinks are specifically low in carbs. Gotta read those labels. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmj-food-recommendations-need-answer-kinda-fast/1018628.md?page=2)