I just got my braces off 1 month ago, the only time I had a real problem with food was when they first went on (for about 1 month because my teeth would not align properly) then 1-2 days after each adjustment. After about 2 months I was eating all the same foods as before ie, Steak, Wings, fruit ect. The only thing I hated was all the cleaning ie,flossing six times a day (I hated using that threader to get at each tooth) The little brush to get in between the braces, brushing 6 times a day, the water pic. I spent at least 2 hours a day just cleaning my teeth, and if I ate steak or chicken I would spend 20 min trying to to remove the food from my mouth. The biggest tip I can give you is to buy some Listerine strips and always have them with you, and get a small tooth brush, tube of tooth past, brace brush, and floss and also always have these with you.