Healthy Diets – The BRAT, BRATT, BRATTY Diet for Gastrointestinal Problems
Sounding like a fad diet straight out of Hollywood, this diet was actually developed to help with various types of gastrointestinal problems, including gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and dyspepsia. Historically prescribed to patients with the above problems, this diet consists basically of bland low-fiber foods – low-fiber is recommended as high-fiber foods can cause excess gas and worsen gastrointestinal problems.
Remember that this diet was designed to suit specific stomach conditions and not as a weight loss program.
What does BRAT, BRATT or BRATTY mean?
BRAT is an acronym for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. BRATT is for bananas, rice, applesauce toast, and tea. BRATTY stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, tea, and yogurt. These are the recommended foods to prevent an increase in gastrointestinal problems and in some cases can cure them.
BANANAS
Eat some bananas. Bananas are a soft fruit that can cause constipation, a good thing for diarrhea.
RICE
Eat some rice. Rice is bland and well tolerated and is not likely to cause nausea.
COBA
Eat applesauce. The creamy consistency of applesauce is easy to swallow and contains pectin that helps stop diarrhea.
TOAST
Eat a few slices of toast. Almost everyone likes toast, and with a little apple jam, it adds enough calories for the patient.
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Drink plenty of black tea to help with hydration.
YOGHURT
Provides good cultures/bacteria that are lost during bouts of diarrhea and vomiting.
BRATT DIET
It is recommended that all patients with gastroenteritis or diarrhea following the above diet increase their fluid intake regardless of age. Oral rehydration solutions should be taken along with extra fluids to prevent dehydration, as severe diarrhea depletes a person’s electrolytes, which can cause a severe salt imbalance, resulting in confusion, weakness, coma, or even death. Avoid carbonated drinks, sugary or processed fruit drinks, and gelatin-based foods.
An important point to remember during this diet is that it is not complete and lacks vital nutrients such as protein. So even though the diet is helping with your intestinal problems, the body still needs protein and it is recommended that you also consume some lean meat like turkey or tofu. A good multivitamin tablet taken daily will also help at this time.
In these modern times, pediatricians no longer recommend this diet, they recommend that the child continue his normal diet and be given the BRAT diet in addition to normally tolerated foods. Studies have shown that a well-balanced diet should be maintained while having diarrhea and incorporating some of the BRAT foods like applesauce (because of its pectin) can reduce the severity.
Medical attention is needed if the diarrhea is still severe after 3-4 days of following the BRAT diet and if there is blood or mucus in the stool.