A diet may seem like a simple enough thing to worry about, but for people with stomach issues or food sensitivities, it can be really difficult to find the right one. The BRAT diet is an option that many people who have trouble digesting certain foods turn to. What is this diet? And how should you eat it? Read the article and find the answers!
What is the BRAT diet?
The BRAT diet is an acronym that stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. It's a bland diet that can be used while you're sick because it's low in fiber and fat.
BRAT is not meant to be used for long periods of time or as a weight loss diet. The BRAT diet is usually prescribed by doctors when you have an upset stomach and are losing lots of fluids through diarrhea or vomiting. It's also recommended for anyone recovering from stomach flu or food poisoning.
How does the BRAT diet work?
The idea behind this eating plan is that bland foods will help settle your stomach and reduce nausea. The BRAT diet isn't meant for long-term use, but for short-term relief from gastrointestinal distress.
BRAT diets are easy to digest and don't irritate your stomach as much as some other foods. They're also very low in fiber, so they don't cause pain or cramping when you have diarrhea.
Foods high in fiber may make symptoms worse because they take longer to pass through the digestive tract than processed foods do. This means more time for bacteria to grow in your intestines and cause more problems — like diarrhea.
Who can follow the BRAT diet?
The BRAT diet is safe for most infants and children. It's also safe for adults, as long as you're healthy. However, it's important to talk with your doctor before starting a BRAT diet if you have any medical conditions or allergies.
What are the Benefits of the BRAT diet?
The main benefits of the BRAT diet are:
- It helps in reducing the severity of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Moreover, both the acidity and the frequency of bowel motions are reduced.
- It is easy to digest. Therefore, it does not cause any discomfort after eating it.
- It is low in fiber, which may be beneficial for people with other stomach issues.
- It helps to maintain electrolyte balance by providing potassium-rich foods such as bananas, rice and applesauce in the diet.
BRAT diet meal ideas
The BRAT diet includes bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (or crackers). These foods are easy on the stomach and safe for him to eat when he has diarrhea. Here are some examples of meals you can make using these foods:
Breakfast:
- Unsweetened applesauce with cooked rice cereal mixed in (or more if needed) topped with light margarine and banana cut into slices
- Toast, peanut butter and jelly.
- Toast or crackers
- Bacon, and egg on toast.
- Scrambled eggs with chopped bell peppers and onions on whole wheat toast.
Lunch:
- Toast with margarine, banana and juice
- Grilled sandwich with sliced tomatoes and lettuce on whole wheat bread.
- Sandwich with lettuce, and tomato on whole wheat bread.
- Salad sandwich with lettuce, and tomato on whole wheat bread.
Dinner:
- A small bowl of chicken noodle soup (homemade or canned), or a small bowl of lentil soup and juice
- Potato soup
- Bananas and applesauce
- Toast or crackers
What food can you eat on the BRAT diet?
The BRAT diet is designed to help people with diarrhea, vomiting or nausea eat bland foods that are easy on the digestive system.
The BRAT diet consists of:
Bananas: These fruits can help soothe an upset stomach and provide potassium, which is lost through vomiting and diarrhea.
Rice: This grain absorbs excess fluid in the intestines, reducing diarrhea. Rice cereal is especially good for infants who have gastroenteritis.
Applesauce: Apples contain pectin, which helps soothe the intestinal tract and reduce diarrhea.
Toast: Bread products are easy on the digestive system because they're low fiber and absorb excess fluid in the intestines.
What else can you eat on the BRAT diet?
Bland foods include
- Carrots (baked or boiled)
- Boiled chicken
- Cereals
- Unsalted or plain crackers
- Ginger ale or ginger tea
- Broth
- Potatoes (baked or boiled)
Foods to avoid on BRAT diet
While there are actually some foods that should be avoided during your BRAT diet. These include:
- Citrus foods
- Fatty or greasy foods
- Milk products (including cheese)
- Dairy products
- Alcohol
- Raw vegetables
- Coffee
- Sweets
- Salty foods
- Spicy foods
What drinks are best with the BRAT diet?
If your child or you is on the BRAT diet, it's important to remember that they still need to get all their nutrients. Here are some drinks that can help:
- Water
- Pedialyte or other electrolyte solutions
- Coconut water (not coconut milk)
- Unsweetened apple juice (no added sugar)
- Ginger ale (no added sugar)
- Tea (herbal)
Does the BRAT diet work for weight loss?
The BRAT diet is not intended as a weight loss plan and should not be used as one. Although it may help you lose some weight in the short term, it's not a healthy way to lose weight and can lead to nutritional deficiencies if followed for too long.
The purpose of the BRAT diet is to provide energy and nutrients to help people recover from diarrhea and other gastrointestinal illnesses such as food poisoning or stomach flu. The BRAT diet does not provide enough calories and nutrients to help with weight loss.
However, you can try other types of diet to help you lose weight. For example, a low-carb diet like the ketogenic diet or Mediterranean diet can be good options if you’re looking for healthy meal plans that promote weight loss.
Do doctors still recommend the BRAT diet?
The BRAT diet is not recommended by doctors anymore because it can deprive your body of important nutrients and can make diarrhea worse.
Bowel rest, clear drinks, and the BRAT diet were used to treat two children with severe diarrhea in one study.
Subsequently, both kids became severely malnourished, an issue that was ultimately remedied with proper nourishment.
Conclusion
BRAT includes bananas, rice, applesauce and toast and is meant to replace solid food until you are completely recovered. The BRAT diet can be beneficial for anyone who is suffering from stomach problems or abdominal pain.
It's important to remember that the BRAT diet isn't a long-term solution, and it shouldn't be followed for a prolonged period of time, as it can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Moreover, today, most doctors do not recommend the BRAT diet to anyone.
They suggest that you should consult a doctor before starting, and they may recommend other alternatives to the BRAT diet to help you with stomach issues.
