BRAT Diet (Bland Diet): Benefits, Foods Included, and GI Uses (2024)

FAQs

BRAT Diet (Bland Diet): Benefits, Foods Included, and GI Uses? ›

A BRAT diet is bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. However, most people do not understand that this is not synonymous with a bland diet. A bland diet is more extensive and focuses on decreasing the amount of work required by the entire GI system.

Besides bananas, rice, applesauce and toast, other foods recommended on the BRAT diet include clear broth soups (like chicken or vegetable), apple juice, water, non-caffeinated tea, canned peaches and pears, sweet potatoes, crackers, cream of wheat, eggs, and gelatin.

However, many health professionals no longer recommend it due to the risk of nutrient and calorie deficiencies. The foods in the BRAT diet are low in protein, fat, and fiber, which makes them easy to digest for most people.

Avoid fried, fatty, greasy and spicy foods. Avoid pork, veal, salmon and sardines. Avoid raw vegetables such as parsnips, beets, sauerkraut, corn on the cob, cabbage family, onions. Avoid citrus fruits: pineapples, oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes.

The use of cereals, rice and milk as a stop-gap eating plan for stomach upset has been validated as a more effective remedy to manage diarrhea than the BRAT diet by recent research in hospitals in South America and Asia.

Refined grains, including white bread, white rice or pasta. Lean proteins, such as tofu, skinless poultry or white fish. Steamed or boiled vegetables, including carrots, squash, green beans or potatoes. Soft fruits, such as bananas, avocados, pumpkin, melons and canned fruit.

Beverages should be clear liquids ( Sprite, 7-Up, Tea, Ginger Ale ). NO DAIRY PRODUCTS. Follow this diet until diarrhea subsides for 24 hours. You may then gradually add soft, bland foods ( Scrambled eggs, noodles, mashed potatoes ) as tolerated.

Clear Liquid/ Bland Diet

Both children and adults need to drink plenty of fluids while they're sick to prevent dehydration. Water is good, but adding broth, a sports drink, or a rehydration solution such as Pedialyte can help replace lost electrolytes. Broth or broth-based soups (chicken noodle, vegetable, etc.)

Drink small amounts of water frequently to avoid dehydration. Later that day, you can progress to clear liquids — anything you can see through and sip. “Clear liquids include things like water, apple juice, flat soda, Jello, weak tea or broth,” Beal says.

Is peanut butter ok for a BRAT diet? ›

Eat BRAT diet foods

Soups: clear broth, such as chicken, vegetable or beef. Liquids: cranberry, apple and grape juice, tea (without caffeine), water. Snacks: canned peaches, pears, sweet potatoes, crackers, cream of wheat, eggs, gelatin, oatmeal, creamy peanut butter.

Try light meals of clear soups, such as chicken soup or bouillon cubes dissolved in hot water. Drink plenty of fluids to replace what you are losing with diarrhea. Stay hydrated by sipping clear liquids throughout the day. High-protein foods, such as skinless chicken or scrambled eggs.

Try foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, dry toast, soda crackers (these foods are called BRAT diet). For 24-48 hours after the last episode of vomiting, avoid foods that can irritate or may be difficult to digest such alcohol, caffeine, fats/oils, spicy food, milk or cheese.

“The BRAT diet acronym stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast,” says Lena Beal, M.S., RD, LD, a Piedmont therapeutic dietitian. “Historically, it was used in pediatrics when kids got sick and couldn't tolerate anything. But this diet is helpful for anyone who has nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.”