Brenda Khan
The BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, apples or applesauce, and toast, was once a popular recommendation for children and adults experiencing an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is a temporary and restrictive diet that is low in fiber, fat, and protein, making it gentle on the stomach and easy to digest. While the BRAT diet may provide some relief from gastrointestinal symptoms, it is no longer widely recommended due to its lack of essential nutrients, which can lead to malnutrition if followed for too long. Instead, healthcare professionals suggest more nutritionally balanced eating plans, such as the bland diet, which includes a greater variety of soft, bland, and gentle foods while still being easy on the digestive system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What does BRAT stand for? | Bananas, Rice, Apples or Applesauce, and Toast |
| Type of food | Soft, starchy, low in fiber, bland, gentle on the stomach |
| Other foods recommended | Clear broth soups, apple juice, water, non-caffeinated tea, canned peaches and pears, sweet potatoes, crackers, cream of wheat, eggs, gelatin, lean proteins, non-gassy vegetables |
| Foods to avoid | Fried foods, raw veggies, citrus fruits, tomatoes, dairy, alcohol, pork, salmon, sardines, coffee, caffeinated beverages, added sugars and sweets |
| Nutritional value | Lacks essential nutrients, low in fat and protein, may lead to malnutrition |
| Recommended by doctors | No, it is considered extremely restrictive and provides suboptimal nutrition |
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What You'll Learn
Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast are allowed on the BRAT diet
While the BRAT diet may be gentle on the stomach, it is no longer recommended by doctors due to its lack of essential nutrients. The diet is low in protein, fat, and fiber, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies over time. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers the BRAT diet too restrictive and not adequate for helping with gastrointestinal issues. Instead, they recommend a bland diet, which includes a greater variety of foods and nutrients while still being gentle on the gastrointestinal system. It is important to eat a varied, balanced diet to restore nutrition and energy levels as soon as possible.
During or after an acute stomach illness, it is recommended to eat soft, bland foods that are gentle on the stomach. Other mild foods that may be gentle on the stomach include steamed or boiled vegetables, low-fiber starches, lean proteins with mild seasoning, and non-gassy vegetables. It is also important to stay hydrated, especially after vomiting or diarrhea, and oral rehydration products can be purchased over the counter to help with this.
When recovering from an illness, a doctor may suggest an extended version of the BRAT diet, known as the bland diet. This diet includes a greater variety of foods while still being gentle on the digestive system. It is important to note that neither the BRAT diet nor the bland diet has scientific evidence to support their effectiveness.
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The BRAT diet is no longer recommended for children
The BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, was once a staple of most pediatricians' recommendations for children with an upset stomach. The idea was that it gave the gut a chance to rest and reduced the amount of stool produced. However, the BRAT diet is no longer recommended for children due to several reasons.
Firstly, the BRAT diet is considered too restrictive and lacking in essential nutrients. While the foods included in the BRAT diet are soft, bland, and low in fiber, which can help settle an upset stomach, they do not provide enough nutritional value for more than a day or two. This is especially important for children, who need a variety of nutrients to support their growth and development.
Secondly, following the BRAT diet for more than 24 hours may even slow down a child's recovery. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children resume eating a normal, well-balanced diet within 24 hours of getting sick. This diet should include a mix of fruits, vegetables, meat, yogurt, and complex carbohydrates, ensuring that children get the necessary nutrients to support their recovery and overall health.
Additionally, the BRAT diet is not supported by research. While some people claim that bananas, potatoes, and cooked grains like rice or oatmeal may help with recovery, there is no scientific evidence to back up the effectiveness of the BRAT diet as a whole. As such, experts now believe that the BRAT diet may not be the best option for treating stomach issues in children.
Finally, the BRAT diet may not be suitable for all children and their individual needs. When a child is ill, it is important to prioritize their nutrition and ensure they are getting enough calories and nutrients to support their recovery. The BRAT diet may not provide sufficient energy and nourishment for active or picky eaters. Therefore, it is recommended to offer a variety of soft, bland foods that are gentle on the stomach, rather than strictly adhering to the BRAT diet.
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The BRAT diet is lacking in essential nutrients
The BRAT diet, comprising bananas, rice, apples or applesauce, and toast, was once a popular recommendation for upset stomachs, particularly for children. The diet is designed to ease symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea with bland, soft, and starchy foods that are gentle on the stomach.
However, the BRAT diet is now considered too restrictive and lacking in essential nutrients for long-term use. While it may be suitable for a day or two when one is at their sickest, following the diet for longer than 24 hours is not recommended as it may slow down recovery. The BRAT diet is low in protein, fat, and fiber, and calories, and does not provide enough nutritional value to support the body's needs.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, for instance, advises against the BRAT diet for children with diarrhea, stating that it does not provide enough nutrients to aid in the recovery of the gastrointestinal tract. Similarly, the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) cautions against using the BRAT diet for extended periods due to its limited nutritional profile.
Instead of the BRAT diet, experts now recommend a bland diet, which includes a greater variety of foods and nutrients while still being gentle on the stomach. This diet focuses on binding foods that are low in fiber and may help to firm up stools. It is important to prioritize nutrition when recovering from an illness, and the BRAT diet may not provide sufficient nourishment to support the healing process.
While the BRAT diet may be helpful as a temporary measure to ease stomach issues, it should not be relied upon long-term due to its lack of essential nutrients. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate dietary approach for managing specific health concerns.
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Bland diets are recommended over the BRAT diet
The BRAT diet, comprising bananas, rice, apples or applesauce, and toast, was once recommended for treating nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The diet was thought to give the gut a chance to rest and reduce stool production. However, experts now advise against the BRAT diet, especially for children, due to its limited nutritional value. It is now recognized that this diet lacks the essential nutrients required for recovery and may even slow it down.
Bland diets are now recommended over the BRAT diet for several reasons. Firstly, bland diets offer a greater variety of foods and nutrients. While the BRAT diet is restrictive and lacks a diverse range of nutritional foods, bland diets allow for a wider selection of options. This variety in the bland diet helps prevent undernourishment, ensuring individuals get the necessary nutrients to support their recovery.
Secondly, bland diets, as the name suggests, include foods that are mild in flavor and easy to digest. These diets focus on eating foods that are gentle on the gastrointestinal system, which can help alleviate symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Bland diets are particularly beneficial for individuals with digestion problems, including nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or changes in taste. The mild flavors and lack of strong smells associated with bland diets can reduce nausea and make it easier to tolerate food when ill.
Additionally, bland diets encompass binding foods, which are low in fiber and can help firm up stools. This aspect is especially relevant for individuals experiencing diarrhea, as it can help manage the condition more effectively. It is important to note that the consumption of adequate fluids alongside a bland diet is crucial to prevent constipation.
In conclusion, while the BRAT diet was once a popular recommendation for upset stomachs, it has fallen out of favor due to its nutritional shortcomings. Bland diets are now preferred as they offer a broader range of foods, providing the necessary nutrients to support recovery. The mild flavors and ease of digestion associated with bland diets make them a more effective choice for managing stomach illnesses and their symptoms.
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BRAT diet foods are gentle on the stomach
The BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, apples or applesauce, and toast, was once a popular recommendation for children and adults experiencing diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. However, experts no longer recommend this diet due to its restrictive nature and lack of essential nutrients.
Despite falling out of favour, the BRAT diet is still known for its gentle and easy-to-digest foods, which can be beneficial when dealing with gastrointestinal issues. Bananas, for example, contain pectin, a starch that aids digestion, as well as potassium, an important electrolyte. They are also simple for the body to digest and have enzymes that assist in the process. White rice is another easily digestible food that is lower in fibre than whole grain rice, making it a good option when recovering from an illness. Applesauce, which is cooked fruit, is also gentle on the digestive system as it has already broken down some of its fibre. Similarly, refined white bread, while not as nutrient-rich as whole-grain bread, is another easy-to-digest carbohydrate if gluten is tolerated.
The BRAT diet foods are also bland in flavour and low in strong smells, which can be more appealing when feeling unwell and less likely to cause nausea or vomiting. In addition, these foods are low in fat and protein, reducing the risk of irritating the stomach and putting stress on the digestive system.
While the BRAT diet may be gentle on the stomach, it is important to note that it is not a well-rounded diet and should not be followed long-term. As soon as you are able, it is recommended to resume a varied, balanced diet to restore your overall nutrition and energy levels.
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Frequently asked questions
BRAT stands for bananas, rice, apples or 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.
Foods to avoid on the BRAT diet include dairy, alcohol, fried foods, pork, salmon, sardines, raw veggies, citrus fruits, tomatoes, extremely hot or cold beverages, coffee, caffeinated beverages, and added sugars and sweets.
The BRAT diet is no longer recommended due to its restrictive nature and lack of nutritional variety. It is best to consult a medical professional for advice on treating gastrointestinal issues.
