What is the name of a diet to prevent diarrhea?

BRAT Diet for Diarrhea Management

The dietary approach commonly used to prevent and manage diarrhea is called the "BRAT diet" (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast), though this term is primarily used in pediatric practice and should only be employed short-term alongside oral rehydration, as prolonged use leads to inadequate energy and protein intake. 1, 2

What the BRAT Diet Includes

The BRAT diet consists of bland, easily digestible foods that are low in fiber and fat: 2

• Bananas - provide potassium and pectin 2
• Rice - easily digestible starch 2
• Applesauce - provides pectin, low in fiber 2
• Toast - simple carbohydrate, low in fat 2

Critical Limitations and Warnings

The BRAT diet has no controlled trials demonstrating its efficacy and must be limited to 24-48 hours maximum to prevent protein-energy malnutrition. 1, 2 Prolonged use results in inadequate energy and protein content that impairs nutritional recovery, particularly dangerous in children. 1, 2

Current Evidence-Based Recommendations

Modern guidelines have moved away from restrictive diets like BRAT in favor of early refeeding: 1

For Infants and Young Children:

• Continue breastfeeding on demand throughout the entire diarrheal episode without interruption 1
• Resume full-strength, lactose-free or lactose-reduced formula immediately after rehydration 1
• Early feeding (within 12 hours of rehydration) is as safe and effective as delayed feeding 1

For Older Children and Adults:

Continue a regular age-appropriate diet rather than restricting to BRAT foods. 1, 2 Recommended foods include: 1

• Starches (rice, potatoes, noodles, crackers, bananas) 1
• Cereals (rice, wheat, oat cereals) 1
• Soup, yogurt, vegetables, and fresh fruits 1

Foods to Avoid:

• High simple sugar foods (soft drinks, undiluted apple juice, Jell-O, presweetened cereals) - exacerbate diarrhea through osmotic effects 1
• High-fat foods - delay gastric emptying and may not be tolerated 1

Practical Algorithm for Dietary Management

First 24-48 hours: 2

• BRAT diet is acceptable alongside oral rehydration solution (ORS containing 75 mmol/L sodium and 75 mmol/L glucose) 2
• Replace ongoing losses with 10 mL/kg ORS for each watery stool 1

After 48 hours: 2

• Transition to regular age-appropriate diet to ensure adequate nutrition 2
• Continue oral hydration 2

If diarrhea persists beyond 48-72 hours: 2

• Investigate underlying causes rather than continuing restrictive diet 2
• Consider stool studies if bloody diarrhea, high fever, or symptoms persist beyond 5 days 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not prolong BRAT diet beyond 48 hours - risks malnutrition 1, 2
• Do not delay refeeding - early nutrition improves outcomes 1
• Do not use antimotility drugs (loperamide) in children under 18 years - absolutely contraindicated 1, 3
• Do not restrict diet unnecessarily in adults - regular diet shortens illness duration 1