By Izzy Giacoppo

Not being able to eat for hours before surgery is unbearable, so you eagerly look forward to your first post-surgery meal. When you have to have your wisdom teeth removed, though, your mouth is filled with gauze and stitches, so you can’t instantly reward yourself with food. Once you can finally fill your starved stomach, your food options are limited and can quickly become boring. But I’ve made a versatile list of foods that are safe to eat and appetizing! 

My favorite meal to eat after having all four wisdom teeth removed was Italian penicillin. It is a smooth, comforting soup made with chicken broth. Much of the soup’s mouthwatering flavor comes from parmesan cheese which also makes the soup slightly thicker than a standard broth based soup. The thickness was one of the most enjoyable aspects because it made me feel less like I was on an all liquid diet. Another wonderful aspect of the soup is its nutrient-rich broth and vegetables like onion, carrot, and garlic.

Something you can add to the soup or have on its own is pastina. Pastina is another comforting food that is porridge-like and can be flavored with an endless amount of things, so you don’t have to eat bland foods. You can still keep it simple if you prefer and have it with butter, salt, and pepper which is just as delightful. 

If you’ve been looking into what you can eat after wisdom tooth surgery, you’ve definitely seen eggs. Although it is a common suggestion, you can still make it savory and enjoyable by adding seasoning and cheese. This works well for something you may be eating frequently because you can switch up which seasonings and cheeses you use and you can change how your eggs are cooked. 

Another versatile option is smoothies. There are endless smoothie combinations and any combination will provide you with plenty of vitamins and nutrients to help you recover. Experimenting with smoothies can even become a new hobby during your recovery. It’s always nice to have something to keep you busy and distract yourself when you aren’t feeling well.

Lastly, fish is a great option for those who crave a satisfying, savory meal that provides a sense of normalcy. Fish, especially salmon, are extremely healthy and an incredible source of protein which helps promote healing.

An essential part of the recovery process after wisdom tooth surgery is making yourself comfortable, which means you deserve to eat foods that are versatile and nutritious. But I won’t discourage you from eating all the ice cream you want, either.