From the Guidelines
The BRAT diet is recommended as a temporary eating plan for managing mild gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, nausea, or upset stomach, but it should only be followed for 24-48 hours due to its lack of complete nutrition for longer use. The diet consists of four bland, low-fiber foods: Bananas, Rice (white), Applesauce, and Toast (white bread) 1. These foods are easy to digest, low in fiber, and help firm up stools. The diet works because bananas contain potassium to replace lost electrolytes, white rice and toast provide easily digestible carbohydrates that bind stools, and applesauce offers pectin which helps reduce diarrhea. Some key points to consider when using the BRAT diet include:
- Ensuring adequate hydration with water, clear broths, or electrolyte solutions
- Continuing breastfeeding or formula alongside these foods for children
- Gradually reintroducing normal foods after 24-48 hours
- Seeking medical attention immediately if symptoms persist beyond 2-3 days, worsen, or are accompanied by fever, severe abdominal pain, or bloody stools, as the BRAT diet is not appropriate for managing serious conditions 2. It's also important to note that the BRAT diet has been used as a dietary-management tool among pediatric practices in the United States, although there have been no controlled trials concerning its efficacy 1.
From the Research
Brat Diet Overview
- The BRAT diet is not directly mentioned in the provided studies, but the studies discuss oral rehydration solutions and electrolyte management, which can be related to the diet.
- The BRAT diet is a dietary approach that consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, and is often recommended for individuals with diarrhea or gastrointestinal issues.
Oral Rehydration Solutions
- Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are used to manage dehydration caused by diarrhea, as discussed in 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a reduced osmolarity ORS for rehydration, which contains glucose and electrolytes.
- Other solutions, such as rice-based ORS, have also been studied and found to be effective in managing dehydration.
Electrolyte Management
- Electrolyte management is crucial in managing dehydration, as discussed in 3.
- The study recommends consuming fluids with sodium and carbohydrates during high-intensity exercise to maintain hydration.
- Excessive sodium-free fluids should be avoided to prevent exercise-induced hyponatremia.
Relevance to BRAT Diet
- While the studies do not directly discuss the BRAT diet, they provide information on oral rehydration solutions and electrolyte management, which can be relevant to individuals following the BRAT diet.
- The diet's emphasis on bland foods like bananas, rice, and toast may help manage gastrointestinal symptoms, but its effectiveness in managing dehydration is not directly addressed in the studies.