It’s understandable that when you’re dealing with diarrhea, you want things to get better as soon as possible. After all, being chained to the bathroom isn’t always a fun way to spend your day. But it also raises many questions, such as what exactly should be eaten, which does not make the situation worse.
That’s when many people turn to the BRAT diet. Unlike many other popular diets, it is not designed to keep you healthy or to help you lose weight. Instead, it will (hopefully) stop, er, Flow. Are you familiar with this meal plan? It has a very specific purpose — and a limited menu. Here’s what you need to know about the BRAT diet and when to continue.
To be precise, what is a BRAT diet?
BRAT is actually an acronym for “banana, rice, applesauce, toast”. Dietitian and health coach A small book of game changers.. “It’s a very bland diet designed to be gentle on your stomach,” she says.
People often reach for the BRAT diet when they have diarrhea, but I’m not sure if it really works, says a family doctor at the Providence St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Dr. David Cutler says. There is a lot of interest because of its simplicity, low cost, safety, and its obvious effectiveness against the general condition, diarrhea caused by the intestinal virus, “he says. .. “But the value of the BRAT diet has not been proven and is probably minimal, because almost all cases of intestinal viral diarrhea are resolved in a few days, regardless of the diet used.”
“The most important initial treatment for diarrhea is fluid replacement, not diet,” he said.
Still, Dr. Cohen says that doesn’t mean the BRAT diet is useless. “If the illness limits the ability to digest food, BRAT diets and other digestible foods may help resolve other intestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. There is, “he says.
What can you eat on the BRAT diet?
In general, the BRAT diet focuses on four key ingredients.
- banana
- Rice
- Apple sauce
- toast
But then we can diverge a bit, says Sonya Angelone, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Nutrition and Nutrition. “You can include simple crackers and soups,” she says. Coding says it’s probably okay to have other bland foods like wheat cream or oatmeal.
It’s not uncommon to include cooked eggs “because they’re easy to digest,” says authors Keri Gans, MS, RD, and CDN. Small change diet..
“Generally speaking, these are all very easy to digest food,” says Scott Keetley, RD of Keytree Medical Nutrition Therapy. “The amount of fiber tends to be low and does not increase the amount of substances left in the digestive tract and exacerbate diarrhea.”
When should I go on a BRAT diet?
You can start it when you develop diarrhea, Coding says.
Dr. Cohen recommends paying attention to symptoms such as poop blood, severe abdominal pain, high fever, and constant vomiting. If you have any of these symptoms, it may be more of a symptom and it is advisable to contact your doctor. More serious health than common diarrhea.
However, if these symptoms are absent and hydration is adequate, “it is generally wise to pursue a BRAT or similar digestible diet,” says Dr. Cohen.
Side effects of BRAT diet
In general, the BRAT diet is very easy to use and has minimal side effects, Angelone says.
“The BRAT diet is very limited in nutrients, fiber and calories, so don’t follow it too long,” says Angelone. “It can contribute to constipation and malnutrition, including protein.”
Keytree agrees. “This diet is low in calcium, B12, protein and fiber,” he says. “In the long run, it can have a negative effect on hair, skin, nails, teeth and bones and can continue to be ill for a long time.”
How long should you continue your BRAT diet?
It depends on how you feel. “Two days after BRAT, if diarrhea improves, it’s safe to go on a more balanced diet,” says Dr. Cohen. However, he says he wants to avoid hard-to-digest foods (nuts, seeds, spicy foods, etc.) and lactose-containing foods (milk, cheese, yogurt). Sensitive stomach.
However, if you’re still suffering from No. 3 after a week, Dr. Cohen recommends contacting your doctor about the next steps.
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