From the Guidelines
The BRAT diet is used for managing mild cases of diarrhea, upset stomach, or gastroenteritis, particularly in children, although its effectiveness is not strongly supported by recent evidence. This simple diet consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast - foods that are bland, low in fiber, and easy to digest. The BRAT diet works by providing binding foods that help firm up stools while being gentle on the digestive system. Bananas contain potassium to replace lost electrolytes, rice and toast provide easily digestible carbohydrates for energy, and applesauce offers pectin which can help solidify stool. However, the BRAT diet should only be followed for 24-48 hours before gradually returning to a normal diet, as it lacks sufficient nutrients, protein, and fat for long-term use, as suggested by 1.
It's also important to note that recent guidelines, such as those from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, suggest that early refeeding, rather than dietary restriction, may be beneficial for patients with infectious diarrhea, as it can reduce illness duration and improve nutritional outcomes, as seen in 1. Additionally, a lactose-free diet has been shown to reduce the duration of diarrhea and treatment failure in children, as reported in 1.
For patients with cancer treatment-induced diarrhea, guidelines recommend stopping lactose-containing products, drinking clear liquids, and eating frequent small meals, including foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, as outlined in 1. However, the BRAT diet should not be relied upon as the sole treatment for severe or prolonged diarrhea, and medical attention should be sought if symptoms persist or worsen, as indicated by 1 and 1.
Key points to consider when using the BRAT diet include:
- Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of clear fluids
- Gradually returning to a normal diet after 24-48 hours
- Seeking medical attention for severe or prolonged diarrhea, high fever, bloody stools, or signs of dehydration
- Considering alternative dietary approaches, such as early refeeding or a lactose-free diet, as recommended by recent guidelines, as seen in 1.
From the Research
Dieta BRAT
- La dieta BRAT (Plátanos, Arroz, Puré de manzana, Tostada) se utiliza para ayudar a manejar los síntomas de la diarrea y otros trastornos gastrointestinales.
- Está diseñada para ser fácil de digerir y puede ayudar a calmar el estómago y reducir la diarrea.
- No hay evidencia directa en los estudios proporcionados que respalde el uso de la dieta BRAT 2.
- La dieta BRAT se utiliza comúnmente para ayudar a manejar los síntomas de la diarrea aguda, especialmente en niños.
- Algunos de los beneficios de la dieta BRAT incluyen:
- Ayudar a reponer los líquidos y electrolitos perdidos debido a la diarrea.
- Reducir la frecuencia y la gravedad de la diarrea.
- Ayudar a calmar el estómago y reducir los síntomas de náuseas y vómitos.
- Es importante tener en cuenta que la dieta BRAT no es adecuada para todos y debe ser utilizada bajo la supervisión de un profesional de la salud.