BRAT (Bland) Diet: What Foods To Eat To Stop Diarrhea And Vomiting

If you have diarrhea and are vomiting, your doctor may put you on a BRAT (or bland) diet. The BRAT diet consists of foods that are nourishing and easy to eat. They can also help you recover quickly from a the stomach flu or stomach virus. Take a peek at our in-depth study to learn what foods you should eat, and for how long.

The BRAT diet is frequently recommended by pediatricians and family doctors when you're sick. The acronym "BRAT" stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Some modern variations of the diet include yogurt and tea to form BRATY and BRATT. However, the BRAT diet is not restricted to only these four or five foods. Bland diet foods are notable for being tolerated by most people. It's prescribed because of its low content of protein, fiber, and fats, according to RX List. In fact, there is a BRAT diet list you can follow to ensure you're still getting wholesome nutrition while you are sick — this is discussed in the further sections.

BRAT diet foods give your gut a chance to rest while reducing the amount of output produced. Considering a bland food diet, there are a few benefits that can alleviate pain and heal your gut from poor digestion, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

1. Less Fiber In Bland Diet Foods

Fiber helps compact your stool, but can also irritate your already sensitive tummy. High-fiber foods may cause further discomfort from bloating, gas, and constipation. Bland diet foods are a low-fiber alternative that allow bowel movements to slow down and regulate, especially if you are experiencing diarrhea. Fruits like bananas and applesauce have high potassium, which decreases bloating while maintaining an optimal amount of fiber needed in your system.

2. Less Protein In Bland Diet Foods

Protein is also hard to digest, so red meats and other high-protein foods can be avoided with the BRAT diet.

3. Fewer Fats In Bland Diet Foods

Fatty foods are your worst enemy while you have stomach problems. They actually trigger your bowels, which does not help you relieve your painful symptoms. Fats are also the hardest to digest, so sticking to your BRAT diet foods will give your tummy time to heal.

You might have a hard time trusting solid foods for fear of recurrent diarrhea and vomiting. However, by following the gentle diet's menus, you'll ease your queasy stomach while refueling your body with essential nutrients.

Although the BRAT diet is an age-old remedy recommended by pediatricians for children, experts are now saying that the traditional BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast is not enough for the nutritional needs of children. The low content of protein, fats, and fiber just isn’t sufficient to help a child’s digestive system recover. Hence, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that kids continue to eat regularly with a well-balanced diet within the first 24 hours of sickness.

The biggest concern with BRAT diet for toddlers is the risk of dehydration that results from vomiting and diarrhea. Always consult with a doctor if upset-stomach symptoms occur. The BRAT diet menu can be a short-term fix. However, it doesn't have adequate amounts of calories, vitamins, fats, and proteins to sustain a child’s well-being

Health practitioners recommend that BRAT diet regulations are loosely adhered by adults in order to rehydrate. Drink plenty of water, as well as broth, sports drinks, and other beverages filled with electrolytes for optimal recovery. Other health recommendations include avoiding physical exertion and resting as much as possible, allowing your body to recuperate. Foods to avoid include sugars, lentils, corn, beans, raw vegetables, fried foods, nuts and seeds, dairy products, dried fruits, and whole-grain items.

As for toddlers and babies, allow them sips of broth and lots of liquids to start within the first 24 hours. BRAT diet solids should not be ingested if your child is still vomiting. Wait until vomiting has subsided for a good couple of hours before introducing them to any solid foods. Contact your health care provider if your child continues to have diarrhea after three days or starts to have a high temperature. Also, watch out for reduced urine, dizziness, crying without tears and sunken eye sockets or cheeks. According to Livestrong.com, these may be early signs of dehydration.

One of the great things about the BRAT diet menu is that it is cheap to follow. You do not need additional medication while you have the stomach flu or virus. But besides an essential BRAT diet, what other BRAT diet foods and BRAT diet recipes can you eat while you are sick? Let us start with the basic four and their benefits:

Bananas

Bananas have soluble fiber that absorbs water and slows down digestion. Bananas are especially great to eat on your BRAT diet if you have diarrhea. If bananas are too bland for you, try adding cinnamon, which is a great addition to help with your digestion.

Applesauce

Apples have significant amounts of pectin, which helps form more solid stools. Pectin is an important part of the diet because it acts as a thickening agent. You can also add ginger to your applesauce, which helps relieve nausea and diarrhea.

Rice and Toast

These are important staples on the BRAT diet list because they are low in fiber and give upset stomachs a chance to rest without the irritation from high-fiber foods.

Hydration

The diet recommends only ingesting clear beverages such as flat, clear sodas, apple juice, and water. During a stomach bug, your body will lose liquids and significant amounts of salt and electrolytes. Consider coconut water to refill your electrolytes — it is high in potassium and easy to drink.

Ingesting a lot of liquids will replace the fluids lost when you vomit or have diarrhea. However, excessive amounts of water may do more harm than good. It is recommended to take small sips of clear fluids throughout the day that are neither too hot nor too cold, as this may further irritate your stomach.

Alternatives

There is also a whole list of other bland diet foods that you can consider, especially as you are easing back into your regular diet:

• Cream of wheat or cold cereals are low-fiber alternatives to rice and toast.
• Soft and skinless fruits without too much sugar are also suggested for easy consumption.
• Soft-boiled eggs or scrambled eggs not cooked in any fat or oils can be tolerated easily.
• Tofu is another bland diet alternative that is low-fiber and high-protein.
• Any mashed-up baby-food vegetables can be added to the BRAT diet list, such as yams, sweet potatoes, and squashes.

The BRAT diet is not meant to be a weight-loss or cleansing program. It is a short-term diet to ease the pain of the stomach flu or gestational ailments. It is especially helpful during episodes of diarrhea because of the natural ingredients that help fight loose stools and nausea. You can also find a BRAT diet timeline to follow, suggested by the Oregon Clinic.

If you are still experiencing diarrhea or occasional vomiting past three days, please consult with your physician, as the diet is not meant to be followed for longer than a week. If you start having a fever, urinate less frequently, or experience blood in your stool, contact your health care provider immediately.

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