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BRAT Diet: How to recover from an upset stomach.


What is the BRAT diet?

If you recently had an upset stomach or diarrhea, your doctor may suggest that you limit your diet the bland- foods that wont irritate your stomach. The BRAT diet is A bland- food diet that is often recommended for adults and children.

BRAT stands for : Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. The BRAT diet can help you recover from an upset stomach or diarrhea for the following reasons:

  • It includes "binding" foods. These are low fiber foods that can help make your stools firmer.
  • It includes bananas,, which are high in potassium and help replace nutrients your body has lost because of the vomiting and diarrhea.

After you have diarrhea or vomiting, follow the BRAT diet to help your body ease back into normal eating. This diet may also help ease the nausea and vomiting some women may experience.

You can add other bland foods to the BRAT diet. For example, you can try saltine crackers, boiled potatoes or clear soups. Don't try eating dairy products and sugary or fatty food right away, these foods may trigger nausea or lead to more diarrhea.

Adults and children should follow the BRAT diet for only a short period of time because it does not provide all the elements of a healthy diet. Following the BRAT diet for too long may cause your body to become malnourished. This means you are not getting 3nough nutrients . If your body is malnourished, it will be harder for you to get better.

Ask you family doctor if you have any questions about whether you or your child should follow the BRAT diet.

Source: familydoctor.org