Have you ever suffered from vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea? When you are sick, eating may not be your priority and consuming foods that are easy on your stomach gives your body some nutrition as you recover. If you are suffering from gastrointestinal distress, eating a bland diet can relieve heartburn, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. You may also be familiar with the BRAT diet, which was once the recommended diet for children who were experiencing diarrhea and vomiting.
This article provides you with detailed information on a bland diet and a brat diet food list. Now let’s learn about these diets.
Bland Diet:
Doctors can encourage patients to eat bland diets that have easily digested foods to reduce painful sensations related to digestive issues. Bland diets are usually only a temporary solution to aid in your body’s recovery.
Some people find that a bland diet helps them to cope with changes in their health because it is a controlled diet. It is occasionally referred to as a “soft” or “low-residue” diet.
It is a diet that is low in fiber and acid as food is easily digested. Foods you eat foods while following a bland diet, your gastrointestinal tract can rest as much as possible. This results in decreased gas production (flatulence) and gut irritation.
A bland diet is recommended by the Doctors may recommend a bland diet for patients suffering from Stomach ulcers, Heartburn, Acid-peptic disorder, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Excessive flatulence or gas, Stomach or intestinal inflammation (gastroenteritis), Food poisoning, Excessive diarrhea, Inflammatory bowel disease, or Colonic bulging (diverticulitis flare-ups).
People who are recovering from or preparing for surgeries, colonoscopies, and other medical procedures can also benefit from a bland diet. Chemotherapy-treated cancer patients often experience side effects like nausea or appetite loss. This can make eating a healthy diet more difficult.
Bland Diet Foods:
The following few bland foods for an upset stomach can be consumed or even considered as a bland diet for diarrhea. They are:
1. Lean meats and proteins: Depending on how they are prepared, tofu, fish, and chicken are usually acceptable in bland diets. These proteins can be roasted, baked, or grilled after the skin is removed. Additionally, eggs can be a rich source of protein. Boil or poach them for a bland diet.
2. Dairy products: Select dairy substitutes and low-fat dairy products. On a bland diet, sugary foods are not recommended, so be aware of products like yogurt that may contain high sugar content.
3. Fruits and fruit juices: As fruits are high in acid and fiber, it is better to limit your intake and stay away from raw fruit. Choose low-acid fruits, like bananas. Fruits can also be pureed or sauced, and the fruit juice can be diluted with water to lower its acidity and sugar content.
4. Bland vegetables: Vegetables must be fully cooked to fulfill the requirements of a bland diet. Acidic foods like tomatoes should be avoided. Most of the leafy and root vegetables, such as greens, beets, and carrots, can be consumed when they are fully cooked.
5. Cereals, breads, and grains: Low-fiber starches are usually allowed. White rice, white bread, white pasta, and low-fiber cereals like cream of wheat are the best options because whole-grain options usually contain more fiber.
Foods to Avoid on a Bland Diet:
Strongly flavored, spicy, or high-fiber foods may lead to digestive issues.
Among these non-bland foods are:
- Sugary foods, like cake, donuts, and pastries
- Fried, fatty meals
- Foods made with cream, such as ice cream and robust cheeses
- Fried fish or chicken with red meat
- Cereals, rice, pastas, and whole-grain breads
- Spicy foods
- Vegetables with strong flavors or that cause flatulence like broccoli, cabbage, garlic, and onions
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Seeds and nuts
- Acidic fruits
- Manufactured sauces and salad dressings
- Pickled foods
- Mayonnaise and butter
- Raw fruits and vegetables
- Mint and pepper
- Chocolate
However, it is always advisable to ask your doctor for a more specific list. You may be able to eat more or less of some foods, based on your particular situation.
What is the BRAT Diet?
The BRAT diet is generally categorized as the type of bland diet. BRAT is the acronym that stands for:
- B – Bananas
- R – Rice
- A – Applesauce
- T – Toast
All four of these foods are soft, bland and low in fiber, which may help to settle your stomach for one or two days when you are suffering from gastrointestinal issues like Viral gastroenteritis, ie. Stomach flu, Food poisoning, Traveler’s diarrhea. The BRAT diet can sometimes be confused with a bland diet, as both diets are meant for an easy digestive system and to promote recovery.
BRAT Diet foods:
Now we will look at BRAT diet foods:
Bananas:
Bananas are easy on the stomach and a wonderful source of potassium, which will help to restore lost fluids from vomiting or diarrhea.
Rice:
White rice also has the benefit of being very easy on the stomach because, apart from protein, your body also requires carbohydrates, which settle well. It should be consumed as plain rice, without adding any spices or oils.
Applesauce:
Pectin is the fiber present in applesauce, and it can act as a binder and firm stools. Applesauce contains pectin, which can help firm stools. Its natural sugars can also provide a small energy boost.
Toast:
White bread toast is a digestible option. Toast provides carbohydrates that are easy to digest and provide an immediate energy boost without causing any stomach discomfort, just like rice.
A BRAT diet for adults is acceptable for a day or two when you are sick. However, you should not follow it for longer because it doesn’t contain vital nutrients like:
- Vitamin B12
- Calcium
- Fiber
- Protein
Other Foods In the BRAT Diet:
When you are suffering from vomiting and diarrhea, mild foods may also be gentle on the stomach, including:
- Brothy soups
- Dry cereal
- Oatmeal
- Boiled potatoes
- Saltine crackers
If your stomach feels balanced a bit, you can start including foods that are still soft and bland but a little more nutritious like:
- Scrambled eggs
- Skinless turkey or chicken
- Cooked vegetables
Just make sure that you take it slowly.
Conclusion:
Following the bland diet or the BRAT diet, is a self-care approach to make sure that you are receiving some nutrients and consuming foods that are easy to digest while your body is experiencing gastrointestinal distress. As the BRAT diet lacks nutritional balance, your doctor may advise sticking to it for a day or two to help your digestive issues. A bland diet, which contains a wider range of easily digested foods, may be recommended by your doctor based on your symptoms. It is very important to speak with your doctor in order to know when you can eat your regular food.
