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Once-recommended ‘BRAT’ diet won’t actually help diarrhea, nausea
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- The BRAT diet, consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, has traditionally been recommended for easing stomach issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea but is now considered outdated and overly restrictive.
- There is limited scientific evidence supporting the BRAT diet as the best approach for managing gastrointestinal distress, and it lacks essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, calcium, and vitamin B12.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends the BRAT diet for children recovering from gastrointestinal illness due to its restrictive nature and insufficient nutrient content.
- Experts suggest using the BRAT diet for no more than 24 hours and recommend gradually reintroducing a wider variety of easily digestible, nutritious foods like scrambled eggs, cooked vegetables, and skinless chicken.
- Hydration with water, electrolyte beverages, and broth is emphasized, while avoiding acidic, caffeinated, dairy, sugary, fried, or spicy foods during recovery from stomach ailments.
