Brenda Khan
The BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, is a temporary diet that was once recommended for treating stomach flu and diarrhea. The diet is designed to be bland and gentle on the stomach, helping to reduce symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, it is no longer widely recommended due to its restrictive nature and lack of essential nutrients. While it may be useful for a day or two when an individual is at their sickest, it should not be followed for an extended period as it may slow down recovery. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is BRAT? | Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast |
| Recommended for | Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach flu |
| Foods to avoid | Sugary, high-fat, spicy, dairy, citrus fruits, raw vegetables, fried foods, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol |
| Foods to eat | Saltines, oatmeal, boiled potatoes, avocado, pumpkin, canned fruit, steamed vegetables, low-fiber starches, white bread, noodles |
| Liquids to drink | Water, apple juice, electrolyte beverage, weak tea, broth, oral rehydration products |
| Duration | 1-2 days; not recommended for longer periods due to lack of essential nutrients |
| Consult a doctor | If symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or 2 days |
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What You'll Learn
What is the BRAT diet?
The BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, was once a popular recommendation for people suffering from diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, or the stomach flu. It is a temporary and restrictive diet that focuses on bland, easy-to-digest foods that are gentle on the stomach and gastrointestinal system. The aim is to reduce symptoms of stomach illnesses, such as nausea and vomiting, and to help solidify loose stools. In addition to the four main food groups, other mild foods that can be consumed include saltines, oatmeal, boiled potatoes, and steamed or boiled vegetables.
The BRAT diet is no longer widely recommended due to its limited nutritional profile and the risk of nutrient and calorie deficiencies. The foods in the diet are low in protein, fat, and fibre, which can make them inadequate for aiding recovery. The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) advises against using the BRAT diet for extended periods. Instead, it is suggested that people focus on eating a varied, balanced, and nutritionally rich diet as soon as they are able to help restore their overall nutrition and energy levels.
While the BRAT diet may provide temporary relief for some people, it is important to consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen. Diarrhoea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, so it is crucial to prioritise rehydration by consuming adequate fluids and oral rehydration products.
Although the BRAT diet is no longer advised for children due to its restrictiveness and lack of nutrients, it can be a helpful transition for both children and adults to eating a wider range of foods after a stomach illness. It is important to listen to your body and introduce foods when you feel able to tolerate them.
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What to eat and drink
The BRAT diet—an acronym for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—was once recommended for treating stomach flu. However, due to its restrictive nature and lack of essential nutrients, it is no longer advised, especially for children. Instead, it is suggested to follow a bland diet with a greater variety of foods that are gentle on the stomach.
When recovering from stomach flu, it is important to focus on bland, soft, and easy-to-digest foods that will not irritate your stomach or put stress on your digestive system. Here are some foods and drinks to consider:
- Bananas: They are a good source of potassium and are easy on the stomach.
- Rice: White rice is a low-fiber starch that is gentle on the stomach and can help bind stools.
- Apples and Applesauce: Apples are a soft fruit that can be easily digested. Applesauce is also a good option and is included in the BRAT diet.
- Toast: White bread is a low-fiber starch that can be easily tolerated.
- Saltines or Crackers: These can be helpful in providing some carbohydrates without irritating the stomach.
- Oatmeal: Instant oatmeal is a low-fiber starch that can be soothing and easy to digest.
- Boiled or Steamed Vegetables: Carrots, green beans, potatoes, and squash are good options. Potatoes, in particular, are starchy and can help with stool consistency.
- Noodles: Plain noodles are gentle on the stomach and can be easily digested.
- Clear Liquids: When experiencing nausea or vomiting, it is important to stay hydrated. Sip on water, apple juice, weak tea, broth, or oral rehydration solutions.
It is important to listen to your body and introduce foods as you feel able to tolerate them. Start with small portions and gradually increase as your appetite and digestion allow. As soon as you are feeling better, aim to transition to a varied and balanced diet to ensure you are getting all the necessary nutrients to aid your recovery.
If you are experiencing frequent or severe diarrhea, or if your symptoms persist for more than a day or two without improvement, be sure to contact your healthcare provider for advice.
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What to avoid
While on the BRAT diet, it is important to avoid foods that are not bland and gentle on the stomach. This includes foods that are sugary, high in fat, spicy, or contain dairy. Specifically, this means avoiding:
- Citrus fruits
- Raw vegetables
- Fried foods
- Caffeinated beverages
- Alcohol
- High-fiber foods
Instead, the BRAT diet recommends consuming bland, starchy, and low-fiber foods that are easy to digest and may help to solidify stools. These include bananas, rice, apples or applesauce, and toast, which is where the diet gets its name. Other mild foods that can ease the GI tract include saltines, oatmeal, and boiled potatoes.
It is important to note that the BRAT diet is no longer recommended by many health professionals due to its restrictiveness and lack of essential nutrients. It may be followed for a day or two when at your sickest, but it should not be followed for longer periods as it may slow down recovery. Instead, it is suggested to transition to a varied, balanced diet as soon as you are able to help restore overall nutrition and energy levels.
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Who shouldn't use it
The BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, was once recommended for the stomach flu. However, it is no longer advised due to its restrictive nature and lack of essential nutrients. While it can be followed for a day or two when one is at their sickest, it should not be used long-term as it can lead to malnutrition and slow down recovery.
Who Should Not Use the BRAT Diet?
The BRAT diet is not suitable for the following individuals:
Children and Infants: The BRAT diet is not recommended for children with diarrhea or an upset stomach. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers it too restrictive and lacking in essential nutrients to aid a child's gastrointestinal recovery. Prolonged use may lead to malnutrition and poor growth outcomes in children. Instead, children should resume a normal, well-balanced diet within 24 hours of falling ill, including fruits, vegetables, meat, yogurt, and complex carbohydrates.
Individuals with Nutritional Deficiencies: Those with pre-existing nutritional deficiencies should avoid the BRAT diet as it may worsen their condition. The diet's low fiber, protein, and fat content can lead to malnutrition and low energy levels if followed for extended periods.
Individuals Seeking Long-Term Dietary Solutions: The BRAT diet is intended for short-term use only. It should not be followed as a long-term dietary plan or as a weight-loss strategy. Its restrictive nature and lack of key nutrients can lead to nutritional deficiencies and health risks over time.
Individuals with Certain Medical Conditions: The BRAT diet is not suitable for individuals with specific medical conditions, such as IBS, gastroesophageal reflux, or diverticulitis. These conditions may require a more specialized dietary approach that includes a wider range of nutrients.
Individuals Experiencing Prolonged Symptoms: If symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea persist or worsen after following the BRAT diet for a short period, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider. Prolonged symptoms may indicate an underlying condition that requires medical attention and a different dietary approach.
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When to see a doctor
While the stomach flu usually clears up on its own, there are some cases in which you should seek medical attention. The stomach flu, or viral gastroenteritis, is a highly contagious intestinal infection that can cause watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and headaches.
If you are an adult, you should contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing dehydration. Signs of dehydration include extreme thirst, dry mouth, deep yellow urine, little to no urine, severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. If you are experiencing chronic diarrhea, fever, weight loss, lightheadedness, rectal bleeding, or abdominal pain, you should also consult your doctor.
If you are caring for an infant, vomiting or diarrhea can be very serious and you should seek medical attention. If your baby has been vomiting for more than 12 hours or has diarrhea that hasn't improved after two days, you should see a doctor. Additionally, if your baby has a high fever or there is blood or pus in their stool, these are reasons to seek medical attention.
Older adults and people with compromised immune systems are also at higher risk of severe illness or even death from the stomach flu. If you fall into one of these categories, it is important to monitor your symptoms carefully and seek medical attention if your symptoms worsen or do not improve.
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Frequently asked questions
BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Apples (or Applesauce), and Toast.
The BRAT diet is a temporary diet that focuses on consuming bland and gentle foods to ease the symptoms of stomach issues, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In addition to the core BRAT foods, individuals can consume other mild foods like saltines, oatmeal, boiled potatoes, and steamed or boiled vegetables.
The BRAT diet is no longer widely recommended due to its lack of essential nutrients. It can be followed for a day or two when you are at your sickest, but it is important to transition to a varied, balanced diet as soon as possible to aid recovery.
If you have been experiencing frequent or severe diarrhea, fever, weight loss, lightheadedness, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, or dehydration for an extended period, consult a healthcare provider. For children, it is advised to call a doctor if vomiting or diarrhea persist for just one day.
