From the Guidelines
The BRAT diet should only be followed for a short period, typically 24 hours, due to its lack of complete nutrition, as prolonged use can result in inadequate energy and protein content in the recovering individual's diet. The BRAT diet is a temporary eating plan recommended for managing mild cases of diarrhea, nausea, or upset stomach. It consists of four bland, low-fiber foods: Bananas, Rice (white), Applesauce, and Toast (white bread). These foods are easy to digest, low in fiber, and help firm up stools. Bananas provide potassium that may be lost during diarrhea, white rice helps bind stools, applesauce contains pectin which can reduce diarrhea, and toast provides easily digestible carbohydrates. Some key points to consider when using the BRAT diet include:
- Staying hydrated with water, clear broths, or oral rehydration solutions, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1
- Eating frequent small meals, such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, to help manage symptoms 2
- Avoiding lactose-containing products, alcohol, and high-osmolar supplements, as these can exacerbate diarrhea 2 After symptoms improve, gradually reintroduce other foods like lean proteins, cooked vegetables, and yogurt. If diarrhea persists beyond 2-3 days, is accompanied by fever over 102°F, severe abdominal pain, or bloody stools, medical attention should be sought immediately as these may indicate a more serious condition requiring different treatment.
From the Research
BRAT Diet Overview
- The BRAT diet is not directly mentioned in the provided studies 3, 4
- The studies focus on fluid and electrolyte therapy during vomiting and diarrhea 3, and indications for contrast medium enhancement in computed tomography of the brain 4
Relevance to BRAT Diet
- There is no direct relevance to the BRAT diet in the provided studies
- The BRAT diet is typically used to help manage gastrointestinal symptoms, but the studies do not discuss this topic
- Fluid therapy is mentioned in study 3, but it is in the context of veterinary medicine and not specifically related to the BRAT diet