Bland or BRAT Diet - What It Is (2025)

  • What is the bland diet?
  • Are there other names for this diet?
  • How can a bland diet help someone with cancer?
  • What are the foods you can eat on the bland diet?
  • What are the foods to avoid on the bland diet?
  • Are there medications to avoid while on the bland diet?
  • What are some common complaints from people on the bland diet, and how do you solve them?
  • What are some tips for people on the bland diet?
Back to top

What is the bland diet?

A bland diet is an eating plan that emphasizes foods that are easy to digest. If you’re following this diet, you should choose foods that are low in fat, low in fiber, and easy to chew. And as the name implies, the bland diet calls for foods that are mild in flavor.

Back to top

Are there other names for this diet?

The bland diet is sometimes called the BRAT or BRATT diet. BRAT is an acronym that stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. If you’re following a bland diet, you can incorporate these four foods into your meals, but there are many other options to choose from.

Back to top

How can a bland diet help someone with cancer?

Bland diets are generally helpful for people with digestion problems. This includes those with nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or changes in taste. If left untreated, these symptoms can cause you to lose too much weight and prevent you from getting enough nutritious food. A bland diet can help make sure that you get enough to eat and that you maintain a healthy weight.

Back to top

What are the foods you can eat on the bland diet?

Focus on low-fiber, starchy grains. Raw fruits and vegetables tend to have too much fiber to digest easily. Canned or bottled fruits and vegetables may work for some people. You can also eat cooked vegetables, but they should be soft. Avoid vegetables that have been steamed or blanched.

Good sources of protein on the bland diet include skinless roasted or baked chicken, eggs, low-fat milk and yogurt, and smooth peanut butter and other nut butters.

FOOD GROUPSFOODS TO INCLUDE
Milk, Dairy Products, and Milk AlternativesLow-fat milk and yogurt
Any milk alternative (such as rice, soy, and almond milk)
VegetablesCanned or bottled vegetables in moderation
Vegetables cooked until very soft
Fruit and JuicesCanned or bottled fruits in moderation
Diluted fruit juice
Breads and GrainsPotatoes, crackers, bread, pasta, rice, and plain cereals
Meats and Other ProteinsRoasted or baked poultry without the skin
Smooth nut butter
Fats and OilsHealthy oils, such as olive oil, in moderation (a drizzle for flavor)
BeveragesCaffeine-free beverages

Bland or BRAT Diet - What It Is (1)

Bland or BRAT Diet - What It Is (2)

Bland Diet Recipes

Take a look at our soothing bland diet recipes, which may relieve digestive related irritation and issues.

Learn more

Back to top

What are the foods to avoid on the bland diet?

Stay away from these items:

  • spicy or highly seasoned foods, such as curry, hot sauce, hot peppers, and onions
  • high-fat foods, such as red meat, cream, and anything fried
  • sugary foods, such cookies, doughnuts, cake, candy, and ice cream
FOOD GROUPSFOODS TO AVOID
Milk and Dairy ProductsFull-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese
Cream
Dairy-based ice cream
VegetablesRaw, steamed, and fried vegetables
Fruit and juicesFresh, raw, and frozen fruit, unpasteurized juices
Breads and GrainsAny product with more than 5 grams of fiber per serving
Meats and Other ProteinsFatty or marbled meat
Poultry with skin
Fried meat, poultry, and shellfish
Fats and OilsButter
Mayonnaise
BeveragesAlcohol
Caffeinated beverages (if diarrhea is a problem)
Cream-based beverages (if diarrhea is a problem)
Back to top

Are there medications to avoid while on the bland diet?

No.

Back to top

What are some common complaints from people on the bland diet, and how do you solve them?

The lack of variety in foods and flavors can be difficult for some people on the bland diet. Planning meals in advance can help you avoid repeating foods.

Marinades are a nice way to bring out the natural flavors of poultry. Marinate poultry in fruit juices such as orange juice or pineapple juice. You can use onions or garlic as long as you remove them before you cook the meat. Sea salt is another way to bring out the natural flavors of your meat.

Foods on the bland diet tend to be binding, meaning that they can cause constipation. It’s important to drink plenty of fluid throughout the day to help ease constipation.

Back to top

What are some tips for people on the bland diet?

If you’re experiencing nausea or a lack of appetite, try eating smaller meals more frequently instead of three large meals.

  • Focus on mild flavors. Avoid strong flavors and odors.
  • Avoid drinking during meals. This can help make sure that you get enough nutrition from your food rather than filling up on liquids.
  • To give your digestion a jump start, be sure to chew well and select foods that require less chewing.
Back to top
Bland or BRAT Diet - What It Is (2025)

FAQs

Bland or BRAT Diet - What It Is? ›

“The BRAT diet acronym stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast,” says Lena Beal, M.S., RD, LD, a Piedmont therapeutic dietitian. “Historically, it was used in pediatrics when kids got sick and couldn't tolerate anything.

What is bland or BRAT diet? ›

Are there other names for this diet? The bland diet is sometimes called the BRAT or BRATT diet. BRAT is an acronym that stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. If you're following a bland diet, you can incorporate these four foods into your meals, but there are many other options to choose from.

What are examples of a bland diet? ›

A typical such diet includes, but is not limited to, low-fat dairy products, eggs, broth, pudding, fruit juices, cream of wheat, tofu, lean meat (skinless chicken, fish,...), bland vegetables (beet, bean, spinach, carrot,...), eggs, and tea. The diet also eliminates raw or uncooked foods.

What foods are in a BRAT diet? ›

The BRAT (bananas, rice, apples, toast) diet is often recommended for patients suffering from diarrhea or the stomach flu. In addition to these foods, you may also consume other mild foods that ease the GI tract such as saltines, oatmeal, or boiled potatoes.

What are the 4 bland foods? ›

Foods you can eat on a bland diet include:
  • Milk and other dairy products, low-fat or fat-free only.
  • Cooked, canned, or frozen vegetables.
  • Potatoes.
  • Canned fruit as well as apple sauce, bananas, and melons.
  • Fruit juices and vegetable juices (some people, such as those with GERD, may want to avoid citrus and tomato)
May 4, 2024

What 12 foods stop diarrhea? ›

What are some foods that are recommended to eat when you have diarrhea? The list includes simple foods like oatmeal, bananas, plain rice, applesauce, boiled potatoes, toast, plain crackers, pretzels, and baked chicken without skin or fat.

Are scrambled eggs on the BRAT diet? ›

Beverages should be clear liquids ( Sprite, 7-Up, Tea, Ginger Ale ). NO DAIRY PRODUCTS. Follow this diet until diarrhea subsides for 24 hours. You may then gradually add soft, bland foods ( Scrambled eggs, noodles, mashed potatoes ) as tolerated.

Can I eat mashed potatoes on a bland diet? ›

Fruits & Vegetables: All fruit, juices, and vegetables as tolerated; baked (without skin), boiled, mashed, diced or creamed potatoes, yams. Avoid citrus fruits and gas-forming vegetables as tolerated, fried potatoes, hash brown potatoes.

Can I eat salad on a bland diet? ›

Some people can tolerate lettuce and other salad greens in moderation. It's best to exclude vegetables that cause gas, such as those from the cruciferous family. These include broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts, among others.

Can I eat pizza on a bland diet? ›

When prescribed a bland diet, people often feel doomed to culinary purgatory. Gone are all their favorite foods and spices, like garlic, onions, hot pepper, curry, or pizza.

What food makes your stomach feel better? ›

Bland foods and clear liquids, such as crackers, white rice, toast, and broth, help ease diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It's important to stay hydrated and fuel your body so it can recover.

What kills the stomach virus? ›

There's no medicine for stomach flu. Antibiotics don't work on viruses — they're for bacterial infections. The best thing you can do to help your immune system do its work is to stay home and rest, stay hydrated and eat a little if you can. Give your body the energy it needs to fight the infection.

What do doctors recommend instead of a BRAT diet? ›

The use of cereals, rice and milk as a stop-gap eating plan for stomach upset has been validated as a more effective remedy to manage diarrhea than the BRAT diet by recent research in hospitals in South America and Asia.

What foods are gentle on the stomach? ›

What are the easiest and fastest foods to digest?
  • canned or cooked fruit without seeds or skin.
  • canned or cooked vegetables without seeds or skin.
  • lean meat and other lean protein.
  • refined grains, like white bread.
  • low fat dairy products, if you aren't lactose intolerant.
  • fermented foods, like sauerkraut and pickles.
Mar 25, 2024

Is peanut butter ok for a BRAT diet? ›

Eat BRAT diet foods

Soups: clear broth, such as chicken, vegetable or beef. Liquids: cranberry, apple and grape juice, tea (without caffeine), water. Snacks: canned peaches, pears, sweet potatoes, crackers, cream of wheat, eggs, gelatin, oatmeal, creamy peanut butter.

Is chicken noodle soup a bland food? ›

There are several delicious soups and broths that are good for the soul (and for your bland diet). You can never go wrong with a classic chicken noodle for lunch. For a heartier choice, creamy potato soup made with Greek yogurt can really change the game!

Why is the BRAT diet no longer recommended? ›

However, many health professionals no longer recommend it due to the risk of nutrient and calorie deficiencies. The foods in the BRAT diet are low in protein, fat, and fiber, which makes them easy to digest for most people.

What is recommended instead of BRAT diet? ›

Alternatives to the BRAT Diet

8 Natural yogurt, kefir, miso soup, and fermented vegetables (e.g., sauerkraut) are great options. While recovering from stomach symptoms and re-introducing solid foods into your diet, it is essential to keep yourself well-hydrated.

What are bland foods for an upset stomach? ›

If fluids are well tolerated, slowly add bland solid foods, but continue to focus on fluid intake at the same time.
  • White toast with only honey or jelly.
  • Soda crackers.
  • Plain white rice.
  • Applesauce.
  • Bananas.

Is chicken noodle soup part of the BRAT diet? ›

Broth or broth-based soups (chicken noodle, vegetable, etc.) BRAT is the mneumonic for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast, the staples of the diet. Extensions to the BRAT diet include BRATT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast, and Tea) and BRATY (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast, and Yogurt).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kieth Sipes

Last Updated:

Views: 5559

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kieth Sipes

Birthday: 2001-04-14

Address: Suite 492 62479 Champlin Loop, South Catrice, MS 57271

Phone: +9663362133320

Job: District Sales Analyst

Hobby: Digital arts, Dance, Ghost hunting, Worldbuilding, Kayaking, Table tennis, 3D printing

Introduction: My name is Kieth Sipes, I am a zany, rich, courageous, powerful, faithful, jolly, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.