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What is the BRAT diet and why is it unsafe?
The BRAT diet is a low-fibre, bland food diet that was once recommended by doctors in the USA to treat an upset stomach. However, it is now believed that this diet has the potential to do more harm than good, and health organisations no longer recommend it.
What is the BRAT diet?
The BRAT diet stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. It was first developed in the 1920s. Until recently, it was a a popular recommendation by American doctors for treating children with upset stomachs - a general term that describes a painful or uncomfortable stomach that’s often caused by indigestion (problems with your digestive tract).
Now, experts believe that this diet, is too restrictive and lacking in nutrients.
Why this seemingly random combination of foods? The idea of the BRAT diet is that these foods are gentle on the stomach. “The foods in this diet were previously thought to be simple, plain foods (bland foods) which are easy to digest,” explains Kirsten Jackson, consultant dietitian at The Food Treatment Clinic and British Dietetic Association (BDA) member.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), bland foods are:
- Easily digestible.
- Soft in consistency.
- Low-fibre.
- Cooked.
- Non-spicy.
Experts believed that people with upset stomach illnesses could benefit from a diet consisting solely of bland BRAT diet foods that:
- Are gentle on your stomach - they are low in protein and fat, two nutrients which can be more difficult to digest when you have a stomach illness.
- Make your stools (poo) firmer - they are low in fibre and are starchy which can help runny stools to bind together more easily.
- May reduce nausea - they are relatively bland in taste and smell.Certain people,like those experiencing pregnancy sickness, may find more tolerable.
Despite the four foods in its name, the BRAT diet can include other bland food options.
BRAT diet food list for adults and children
When would the BRAT diet be recommended?
"The BRAT diet was recommended when someone was having digestive problems or symptoms," says Jackson. This includes using this low-fibre diet for an upset stomach.
Other stomach-related issues:
- BRAT diet for stomach flu (gastroenteritis) - despite being commonly called "stomach flu" this illness is not actually caused by the influenza virus but by various stomach bugs. This can cause pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
- BRAT diet for diarrhoea - loose, frequent, and unpredictable bowel movements can have a number of causes, including stomach flu, viral infections, anxiety, and drinking too much alcohol..
- BRAT diet for acid reflux - stomach acid rises up into the gullet (oesophagus) causing a burning sensation. This might occur when you eat too many high-fat or acidic foods or drink too much alcohol.
Limited evidence
There are no high-quality clinical trials on the effects of the BRAT diet. Instead, the basis for this low-fibre diet is founded on the research of specific bland foods. For example, there's evidence that both banana and rice soup can help to treat diarrhoea in children.
It follows that there is little to no research into how long you should follow the BRAT diet. Informal guidelines suggest re-introducing your regular diet after around 24 hours. It has never been recommended for prolonged or long-term use.
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Why is the BRAT diet now considered too risky?
Too restrictive
It's important to note that experts no longer recommend the BRAT diet for adults and children: "It is extremely restrictive so would lead to nutritional deficiencies," says Jackson.
Put simply, the range of nutrients in BRAT diet foods are too limited. Not only can this hinder recovery from stomach illness, but it might also cause other serious health issues related to malnutrition. In extreme cases, there is some evidence that the diet can even result in kwashiorkor (severe malnutrition) in young children.
From this perspective, the potential positive effects of foods such as bananas and rice on diarrhoea don't give an accurate picture of how following a diet containing only those foods can affect your body. In fact, a lack of nutrients can make diarrhoea worse, and this illness can also make it harder to absorb nutrients in your diet.
As a result, health organisations no longer recommend it. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describe the BRAT diet as "too restrictive" and a risk for "suboptimal nutrition for the patient's nourishment and recovering gut".
Contain FODMAPs
"We also now know that foods like apple, bread, and bananas contain FODMAPs," adds Jackson. "These are types of carbohydrates which are broken down in the large bowel, causing more gas to be produced and more fluid to be drawn in. In people with digestive problems, this can cause symptoms of pain, bloating, and loose stools."
Better and safer ways to recover from stomach illness
When it comes to eating during stomach problems, the current medical advice is to continue consuming a balanced diet. It's also very important that you drink enough water to prevent dehydration, especially if you have vomiting or diarrhoea symptoms.
You can usually treat stomach-related symptoms at home
Your pharmacist can suggest further treatment options if symptoms of diarrhoea continue beyond 5-7 days and vomiting beyond 1-2 days. You should also seek their advice if you notice signs of dehydration (such as urine that's dark in colour and strong in smell).
They may recommend:
- Powders that you mix with liquid that can help to rehydrate you.
- Medicine that stops diarrhoea for a few hours.
Stomach bugs and viruses that can cause common upset stomach symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, and pain can be very contagious. You or your child should stay at home and avoid going into work or school for 48 hours after your symptoms have cleared.
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Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.