The Brat Diet is an option when someone experiences nausea, or when they are experiencing “soup-toxicity”. The diet includes a limited amount of food that is easy to digest and yet provides the body with the energy needed to transition into the next phase. You may be familiar with the diet because you heard about it from a friend or family member, or read about it online. There are a few things that should be understood before using the diet to handle your stomach issues and when to do so; including the timing of its consumption. The diet helps to give the stomach a break, yet it does not leave a person hungry and therefore can help them recover faster.

Understanding the Brat Diet and Its Benefits

The brat diet focuses on foods that are less irritating for the stomach and easily processed. The diet does not require you to eat complex meals or adhere to an inflexible meal plan. Instead, it emphasizes nourishment that will not irritate your sensitive digestive system, which can help to soothe your gut, relieve the discomfort and support your body’s healing process by eliminating any of the potentially irritating or heavy foods that may impede healing.

Components of the Brat Diet

The BRAT Diet gets its name based on the four basic food items it includes;

• Banana: Easy to digest and rich in Potassium (helps replace lost electrolytes), bananas can provide you with much needed nutritional value after a bout of vomiting or diarrhea.
• White Rice: Gentle on the Stomach, and can help bind loose stools, making it a good source for replacing lost electrolytes due to Diarrhea.
• Applesauce: The cooked form of apples is less irritating to the stomach than the raw form of apples, and also provides a small amount of Vitamins and Natural Sugars.
• Toast: Plain white toast, provides carbohydrates, which are easy to digest, and add volume to your stool.

Each of the above mentioned foods play a very specific part in helping to settle your stomach and provide you with a low level of Energy, without overloading your Digestive System.

Why the Brat Diet Helps with Digestive Issues

When you are experiencing an upset stomach, eating spicy foods, fatty foods, and foods that have high fiber content will often worsen the severity of your symptoms. The Brat Diet is specifically designed to avoid all of these options because it is low in the following:

• Fiber – Aids in the easing of bowel movements while at the same time providing less stimulation for your stomach.
• Fat – Takes a long time to digest and can produce nausea.
• Spices and Seasoning – Can provide irritation for the lining of your stomach as well as stimulate the stomach to produce acid.

By limiting the intake of bland foods, you reduce the likelihood of causing irritation to the lining of your stomach as well as stimulating the stomach to produce acid. By creating this low acid environment, you aid in the easing of your symptoms more quickly. Also, the simplicity of these foods allows you to put less stress on your digestive system allowing it to repair itself rather than work to break down complex foods. This simple approach allows your body to recover from its ailments with much less discomfort and more smoothly.

When to Use the Brat Diet

This The Brat Diet will be of greatest assistance to you when experiencing acute gastrointestinal problems such as food poisoning or an intestinal infection (gastroenteritis), or mild indigestion/nausea.

But if you are experiencing signs of severe dehydration; persistent vomiting; blood in your stools; or these symptoms continue longer than 2-3 days, seek medical care. The Brat Diet alone may be insufficient to treat your symptoms and may exacerbate them further.

How to Implement the Brat Diet Safely and Effectively

For the greatest success on the Brat diet, add new food items into your diet, at first in small amounts to minimize the potential for gastrointestinal upset. Eat only a few bites and observe your body’s response, then increase intake as you feel able to do so. Limit your food to simple, unadulterated ingredients (no butter, no spices, no heavy toppings) which may be irritating to your stomach lining. Do not rush through this transition period; allow time for your digestive tract to acclimate gradually and help reduce the likelihood of relapse. Small portion sizes and frequent feeding will further reduce the risk of overloading your stomach during recovery.

Safe Introduction of Brat Diet Foods

When you begin, follow these guidelines to help support your health:

• Bananas: Choose bananas that are ripe (as opposed to green), as they are easier to eat and may be less irritating to your stomach.
• Rice: Eat the rice plain (without adding butter or spices) as many people find plain rice is easier on their stomach than other variations.
• Applesauce: Select applesauces that have no added sugars. Many commercial brands have added sugar and this can irritate your stomach as well as potentially contribute to digestive issues.
• Toast: Plain white bread toasted until lightly browned is the best option because it will be softer and easier to chew and swallow.

Eat a few bites of one food at a time. Do not eat too much too quickly as it may irritate your stomach. Take a little food and wait and see how your body reacts to the food. If you eat too much of something and it makes you uncomfortable, stop eating. Wait awhile and try again. The slower you take it, the less chance there is of upsetting your stomach and the sooner you should recover from an illness or infection.

Duration and Progression

The majority of individuals only follow the Brat Diet for 1-3 days until their gastrointestinal system has stabilized. Pay attention to how you are feeling every day. If your symptoms have subsided by approximately 2-3 days from when they first started, you may then introduce mild foods that will not irritate your digestive system. These would include; steamed vegetables (carrots, squash), lean proteins (chicken, turkey) and yogurt that contains live cultures to assist in the healing of your gastrointestinal tract.

Once you have added one new food item to your diet, wait 1-2 days before adding another. This will allow you to quickly recognize whether any particular food is irritating your stomach. Once your stomach is able to handle the addition of new food items, you may gradually add them back into your diet. A slow and cautious approach will help to prevent any potential setbacks and facilitate a more comfortable and successful recovery.

Maintaining Hydration and Electrolyte Balance

You need to stay hydrated as much as your diet when your stomach is upset due to vomiting or diarrhea which causes the loss of both body fluids and mineral deficiencies.

Some good choices for fluids are:

• Oral rehydration solutions
• Clear broths
• Herbal teas like ginger or chamomile (without caffeine)
• Plain water

Don’t consume caffeinated beverages, alcoholic beverages, and soda because they may further dehydrate.

Limitations and Considerations of the Brat Diet

The Brat Diet is only intended as a temporary aid in helping alleviate stomach distress; however, it does not offer complete nutrition for general health. Using this diet for an extended period of time will lead to inadequate levels of essential protein, fat, and vitamin intake that are necessary for providing energy, proper immune functioning and total well-being.

The Brat Diet may be used as an interim solution to alleviate symptoms but should never be considered as a substitute for a healthy, balanced diet made from a wide variety of food sources that promote optimal nourishment for your body over a prolonged period of time.

Nutritional Limitations of the Brat Diet

The Brat Diet does not provide the sufficient amounts of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals that are needed by your body each day. Therefore, it will likely result in weakness and fatigue as the diet is lacking the full spectrum of nutrients which are necessary for energy and overall wellness, when followed for an extended period of time.

The Brat Diet was intended as a temporarymeans to assist with stomach healing and should not be used as a substitute for your regular, well-balanced eating plan; once your symptoms subside you will need to return to a balanced eating plan to maintain your overall physical strength.

When to Avoid the Brat Diet or See a Doctor

If you experience severe dehydration, fever, bloody stools, or persistent vomiting you will need professional medical assistance beyond the use of the Brat Diet. In addition, if you have a chronic digestive disease/condition such as Diabetes the Brat Diet may not meet your nutritional requirements.

Alternatives and Complementary Approaches

If The Brat Diet is not an option for you or when you decide it’s time to transition to other choices, try these alternatives:

• Broth and soup made from easily digestible ingredients for increased hydration and nutrient intake.
• Probiotics (after symptoms have subsided) can be a food source to replenish your body’s beneficial gut bacteria.
• Eat small amounts of prepared or raw fruits, lean protein sources and steamed vegetables frequently.

Conclusion

The Brat diet provides a combination of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast as a way to provide relief for people experiencing stomach distress. The Brat diet is composed of low-fat and low-fiber foods which may aid in reducing the occurrence of nausea that is typically present during diarrhea.

However, it is recommended that the Brat diet is used for limited periods of time due to potential side effects when using this diet. In addition, it is suggested that you consume large quantities of water throughout the duration of this diet and slowly add new foods to your diet to prevent a relapse of symptoms.

As previously stated, the Brat Diet should never be a substitute for medical treatment if you experience extreme or severe symptoms from diarrhea. As soon as possible, begin consuming a balanced diet that includes many different types of food to help establish a long-term, sustainable source of nutrition.

Key Takeaways

• The BRAT diet is composed of four primary food items: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
• The primary purpose for this diet is to aid in relieving stomach distress as well as diarrhea or vomiting.
• Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast have properties that allow them to be easily digested and to be soft on the stomach.
• The BRAT diet is also low in fiber, which will further decrease irritation of the bowels.
• This diet is designed to be followed as a temporary measure; you should begin to add back additional foods when your symptoms begin to improve.
• In addition to consuming the recommended BRAT foods, it is imperative that you drink plenty of fluids so as to avoid becoming dehydrated.
• It is essential to realize that the BRAT diet does not contain all the nutritional requirements needed by your body to sustain itself long term.
• If your symptoms persist longer than three to five days, or become worse, seek advice from your physician.

What You Need to Know About the BRAT Diet: FAQ’s

BRAT Diet: What Is The BRAT Diet?

The BRAT diet is made up of four simple, bland, low fiber foods: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. This is a temporary, short-term diet intended to alleviate stomach discomfort such as stomach flu and diarrhea.

Who Should Follow A BRAT Diet?

This diet is primarily recommended for individuals suffering from the effects of diarrhea or vomiting, particularly children. In most cases this diet should be followed for no longer than 1-2 days at a time. It is not intended to be an ongoing method of feeding.

Why Are Bananas Included On The BRAT Diet?

Bananas contain Potassium and Pectin. Both of these elements aid in firming up stools and replacing lost electrolyte during diarrhea. Bananas are relatively easy to digest and therefore are beneficial to the stomach.

Can I Eat Other Foods Besides The Four Foods Listed Above?

Yes. There are many additional bland foods you may consume when trying to recover from a gastrointestinal illness. These include plain cereals, skinless chicken, broth, and skinless boiled potatoes and crackers. Spicy, fatty, or dairy products should not be consumed during this time.

Is The BRAT Diet Nutritionally Complete?

No. The BRAT diet lacks adequate amounts of Protein, Fats and Vitamins. For this reason, it is generally recommended by physicians that it be used temporarily and then discontinued. Continued use of this diet can result in nutritional deficiencies.

Should Children Use The BRAT Diet When Sick?

While this diet has been previously used to treat children who were experiencing gastrointestinal distress, it is no longer recommended for long-term use. Pediatricians recommend that children continue to be fed normal, nutritious foods as soon as possible after being ill.

For How Long Can Someone Stay On The BRAT Diet?

Most patients should remain on the BRAT diet for approximately 24 to 48 hours. Once symptoms have improved, they should begin to gradually introduce a variety of more nutritious foods into their diet.

Will The BRAT Diet Help With Dehydration?

No. While hydration is critical for individuals suffering from gastrointestinal illness, the BRAT diet will not assist in alleviating dehydration. Patients should drink large amounts of fluids such as water, oral rehydration solutions, broths, and diluted juices in addition to the BRAT diet.

Are There Any Foods To Avoid When Using The BRAT Diet?

Yes. Dairy products (with the exception of yogurt after recovery) should be avoided along with fried or greasy foods, spicy dishes, caffeine, alcohol, raw vegetables, citrus fruits and extremely cold or hot beverages.

Will The BRAT Diet Cure Diarrhea Or Stomach Flu?

The BRAT diet will not cure either diarrhea or stomach flu; however, it will provide some relief from the symptoms associated with gastrointestinal disorders. If symptoms persist for several days, worsen over time, or include blood or high fever, seek medical assistance immediately.

Are There Better Alternatives To The BRAT Diet?

Many physicians currently recommend a diet consisting of boiled vegetables, lean proteins, soft fruits, and whole grains once you can tolerate solid foods again. Proper hydration is still the most important factor in helping to recover from gastrointestinal illness.

How Do I Gradually Transition Off Of The BRAT Diet?

Begin adding small amounts of a variety of nutritious foods back into your diet. Begin with boiled vegetables, lean meat, or dairy such as yogurt. Continue to avoid heavy or spicy foods until you feel fully recovered from your gastrointestinal illness.

May Adults Also Use The BRAT Diet?

Yes. Adults may also utilize the BRAT diet to alleviate stomach discomfort. Similar to children, adults should also limit how long they adhere to the BRAT diet and focus on proper hydration.

What If Symptoms Remain The Same After Using The BRAT Diet?

If diarrhea, vomiting or other symptoms continue beyond 2-3 days or if you experience dehydration symptoms such as dizziness or decreased urine production, seek immediate medical care.

Final Thoughts

It has been noted that The Brat Diet has benefits in that it allows you to eat food which should help keep your stomach from experiencing symptoms of heartburn. The Brat Diet is meant to be followed for just a couple of days as it does not include many of the nutrients needed by your body.

In addition to stopping and continuing the types of foods based upon how your body reacts to them (i.e., if your symptoms worsen or continue), once you have established what you can tolerate of solid foods you can add these foods and other healthy options to enhance your immunity and include a lot of fluids to replace lost minerals and to keep your body well-hydrated.

The Brat Diet is a very temporary solution and they can all be applied to your diet as such. As time progresses your stomach will recover and you may return to your regular eating schedule as necessary.