Leena Watts
The BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, was once a recommended diet for children and adults suffering from an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It consists of bland, low-fiber foods that are easy to digest and gentle on the stomach. While it may help reduce symptoms of stomach illnesses, the BRAT diet lacks essential nutrients and may not be safe for long-term use, especially in children. Experts no longer recommend it due to the risk of nutritional deficiencies, and instead suggest a bland diet with more variety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What does BRAT stand for? | Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast |
| What is the BRAT diet? | A temporary diet to ease symptoms of stomach issues, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. |
| Who is it for? | The BRAT diet was once recommended for children and adults with diarrhea, but it is no longer advised due to its restrictive nature and lack of essential nutrients. |
| What to eat? | Clear broth soups, apple juice, water, tea, canned fruits, sweet potatoes, crackers, cream of wheat, eggs, gelatin, and other bland, low-fiber foods. |
| What to avoid? | Dairy, alcohol, fried foods, raw veggies, citrus fruits, extremely hot or cold beverages, and other hard-to-digest foods. |
| How long should you follow it? | A registered dietitian should be consulted for chronic cases of diarrhea. The BRAT diet is meant to be followed for a limited time and should not be used long-term as it may lead to malnutrition and low energy. |
| Importance of hydration | Dehydration is a concern during stomach illnesses. It is important to drink enough fluids and seek medical advice if symptoms persist. |
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What You'll Learn
- Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast are the staple foods of the BRAT diet
- The BRAT diet is used to treat an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
- The diet is no longer recommended due to a lack of essential nutrients
- BRAT foods are soft, bland and low in fibre, which makes them easy to digest
- After the BRAT diet, it's common to progress to the BRATTY diet, which includes toast and yoghurt
Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast are the staple foods of the BRAT diet
The BRAT diet stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. It was once a go-to recommendation for treating stomach issues, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The diet consists of bland, low-fibre foods that are easy to digest and gentle on the stomach. The idea is that these foods can help reduce the symptoms of stomach illnesses and limit stool production. Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast are soft, starchy, and low in fibre, which may help to bind loose stools. The BRAT diet was also recommended for children or adults with diarrhoea as these foods are lower in fibre and less likely to irritate the stomach.
However, the BRAT diet is no longer widely recommended due to its lack of essential nutrients. It is also very restrictive, which can lead to malnutrition and low energy if followed for too long. While bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast can be helpful for a day or two when dealing with gastrointestinal issues, they do not provide enough varied nutrients for long-term use.
Some alternative bland foods that can be added to the BRAT diet include soft fruits like avocado, pumpkin, canned fruit, and melons; steamed or boiled vegetables such as carrots, green beans, potatoes, and squash; and low-fibre starches like white bread, saltine crackers, and instant oatmeal. It is important to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration, and oral rehydration solutions can be purchased over the counter.
After the BRAT diet, it is recommended to gradually transition to a regular diet with more varied and nutritious foods. It is important to consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen, as there may be other interventions to help manage stomach issues.
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The BRAT diet is used to treat an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
The BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, apples or applesauce, and toast, was once recommended for treating an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. It consists of bland, low-fibre foods that are easy to digest and gentle on the stomach. The idea was that these foods would not irritate the stomach or digestive system and would help to firm up stools.
While the BRAT diet is no longer widely recommended due to its lack of essential nutrients, it may still be useful for a limited time as a transition to eating a wider range of foods after a stomach illness. It is important to prioritise rest and hydration when recovering from an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea. If symptoms persist, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider.
The BRAT diet includes soft, bland foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, as well as clear broth soups, apple juice, water, tea, canned peaches and pears, sweet potatoes, crackers, cream of wheat, eggs, and gelatin. These foods are gentle on the stomach and can help with nausea and vomiting by not triggering these symptoms.
Some people recommend adding other soft, bland foods to the BRAT diet, such as soft-cooked chicken or turkey, scrambled eggs, yogurt, kefir, and soft fruits like avocado, pumpkin, canned fruit packed in water, and melons. Steamed or boiled vegetables, such as carrots, green beans, potatoes, and squash, are also gentle on the digestive system. It is important to avoid caffeine, alcohol, fried foods, raw vegetables, and extremely hot or cold beverages when following the BRAT diet.
After following the BRAT diet for a few days, it is important to transition back to a regular diet to ensure proper nutrition and energy levels. This can be done by gradually introducing small meals every few hours and increasing food variety while maintaining a bland diet until symptoms improve.
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The diet is no longer recommended due to a lack of essential nutrients
The BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, was once recommended for treating stomach problems, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The diet consists of bland, low-fiber foods that are easy to digest and can help reduce stool production.
However, the BRAT diet is no longer widely recommended due to its lack of essential nutrients. While it may be suitable for a day or two when one is at their sickest, following the diet for longer periods can lead to malnutrition and low energy. The diet is limited in calories and lacks vital nutrients, including protein, fat, and fiber. As a result, it may not provide enough nutritional value to support recovery, especially in children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that the BRAT diet is too restrictive and does not contain enough nutrients to aid in the recovery of a child's gastrointestinal tract. Prolonged use of the diet may even slow down a child's recovery process. Instead, a bland diet is now recommended over the BRAT diet as it offers a greater variety of foods and nutrients while still being gentle on the stomach.
While the BRAT diet may be helpful as a temporary measure to settle an upset stomach, it should not be relied upon for the long term. It is important to transition back to a varied and balanced diet as soon as possible to ensure adequate nutrition and support the body's recovery. Dehydration is also a concern during illness, so it is crucial to sip fluids and introduce foods when tolerated.
Although the BRAT diet may have been a popular recommendation in the past, current expert advice leans towards more nutritionally balanced eating plans to support overall health and recovery.
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BRAT foods are soft, bland and low in fibre, which makes them easy to digest
The BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, was once a recommended diet for treating stomach problems, especially in children. The diet consists of soft, bland, and low-fibre foods that are easy to digest and gentle on the stomach.
The soft and bland nature of BRAT foods makes them less likely to irritate the stomach or cause nausea and vomiting. Bananas, for example, are soft and have a mild flavour and smell, making them easy to consume when dealing with an upset stomach. Similarly, applesauce is soft and bland, making it a gentle food option for those with stomach issues. Toast can also be easily digested, but it is important to opt for soft, bland varieties such as white bread or melba toast, rather than heavily seasoned or whole-grain options.
Rice, another key component of the BRAT diet, is a low-fibre starch that is easy to digest. White rice, in particular, is gentle on the stomach and can be easily tolerated when cooked until soft. It can be consumed on its own or in dishes such as congee or chicken broth.
While the BRAT diet offers easily digestible and bland foods, it is important to note that it is no longer widely recommended due to its lack of essential nutrients. The diet is restrictive and may not provide adequate nutrition for healing, especially in the long term. As such, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet, especially when dealing with stomach illnesses.
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After the BRAT diet, it's common to progress to the BRATTY diet, which includes toast and yoghurt
The BRAT diet, consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, was once a recommended diet for treating stomach problems, especially in children. The diet includes bland, easy-to-digest foods that can help ease stomach issues and reduce stool production. However, it is important to note that the BRAT diet lacks essential nutrients and is no longer recommended, especially for children, due to its restrictiveness.
After following the BRAT diet for a short period, it is common to transition to the BRATTY diet, which includes all the foods from the BRAT diet with the addition of tea and yogurt. This transition allows for a gradual reintroduction of a wider range of foods while still being gentle on the stomach. The BRATTY diet can be beneficial after stomach illnesses, as it includes foods that are soft, low in fiber, and easy to digest.
The BRATTY diet can be a helpful step towards restoring nutrition and energy levels. Yogurt, for example, can provide beneficial probiotics and healthy bacteria to promote gut health and aid digestion. Tea, specifically decaffeinated tea, can have soothing properties and help with hydration.
While the BRATTY diet can be a gentle progression, it is still important to ensure adequate nutrition. The BRATTY diet may not provide sufficient calories, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals for the long term. Therefore, it is typically recommended as a temporary diet until a person can tolerate a more varied and balanced diet.
It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet, especially when recovering from an illness or managing specific health conditions. They can provide personalized advice and recommendations based on individual needs and circumstances.
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Frequently asked questions
BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
The BRAT diet is a temporary diet that was once considered the go-to for an upset stomach. It consists of bland, low-fibre foods that are easy to digest.
The BRAT diet is said to reduce nausea and vomiting due to its bland flavour and lack of strong smells. It may also help to ease the symptoms of stomach issues, reduce the amount of stool produced, and treat diarrhoea.
The BRAT diet is not backed by research and lacks essential nutrients, including fibre, fat, and protein. It is also extremely restrictive, and following it for too long may lead to malnutrition and low energy.
