B.R.A.T. Diet

The BRAT Diet:
Indication:
Gastrointestinal distress is one of the worst health problems that anyone can suffer. The BRAT diet is often recommended as diarrhea treatment and for upset stomach accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.
The Low residue (fiber) diet is designed to avoid irritation of GI tract & to decrease bowel movements.

BRAT stands for:

B--BANANASEat bananas. Bananas are a bland fruit that can be constipating, a good thing when symptoms include diarrhea.

R--RICEEat rice. Rice is well tolerated and is likely to not cause further nausea.

A--APPLESAUCEEat applesauce. The creamy consistency of applesauce goes down easily, and the cold soothes a dry throat.

T--TOASTEat toast. Toast has been a staple of "sick diets" for years. Almost everyone likes toast, and with a bit of jelly, it adds needed calories for the patient to gain strength.

These bland, low-fiber foods are easy to digest and may help with diarrhea, and most people who have a stomach illness can tolerate them pretty well. The BRAT diet has spawned other eating regimens that have a similar effect on upset stomach. They include the BRATY diet, which stands for:
Bananas
Rice
Applesauce
Toast
Yogurt
And the BRATT diet, which stands for:
Bananas
Rice
Applesauce
Tea
Toast

Once your symptoms have subsided, you can start transitioning back to a normal diet, but you'll want to stick to a relatively bland diet for a couple of days.

What aggravates diarrhea?
Sugar, solid foods, hot drinks, cold drinks and dairy products.
Gastroenteritis=is a condition that causes irritation & inflammation of the stomach & intestines.
The infection maybe caused by bacteria or parasites in spoiled food or unclean water.Some foods may irritate your stomach & cause gastroenteritis.Lactose intolerance to dairy products is one example.


Is the BRAT Diet OK for Children?
The BRAT diet was once a staple of most pediatricians' recommendations for children with an upset stomach. The idea was that it gave the gut a chance to rest and reduced the amount of stool produced. Now experts say the BRAT diet may not be the best option for children.
Because BRAT diet foods are low in fiber, protein, and fat, the diet lacks enough nutrition to help a child's gastrointestinal tract recover. The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that kids resume eating a normal, well-balanced diet appropriate for their age within 24 hours of getting sick. That diet should include a mix of fruits, vegetables, meat, yogurt, and complex carbohydrates.
Both children and adults need to drink plenty of fluids while they're sick to prevent dehydration. Water is good, but adding broth, a sports drink, or a rehydration solution such as Pedialyte can help replace lost electrolytes.

Banana= the amylase-resistant starch content in banana helps to reduce onset of peptic ulcer & non-ulcer dyspepsia that set in,on account of GI condition
Rice= is anti-secretory in nature,it supports oral rehydration & decreases stool volume.
The pectin content in apple sauce & bananas significantly decreases stool volume & arrests diarrhea.
Pectin= a natural water based substances that’s present in ripe fruit which is essential for thickening fruit preserves.You can find it in liquid & powder form.

The combination of all four components ensures that the amylase-resistant starch is split into fatty acids of shot-chain nature within colon.

Sample Menu:

Breakfast

Banana sliced
½ Applesauce


Lunch

½ cup Cooked Rice
Slice
ofLightly Buttered Toast


Dinner
Cooked Rice
Toast Slice
Banana Slice
½ cup of Applesauce