How to Use the BRAT Diet

Categories: Diet | Pediatrics

  • BRAT Diet Disclaimer

    The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.

    After a bout of upset stomach or diarrhea, it may be a good idea to have a sick child resume eating using a soft diet. This page offers tips on How to Use the BRAT Diet.

  • Tips

    • Introduce foods slowly after a gastro disorder.
    • Avoid apple juice and high sugar content drinks to prevent further stomach disturbance.
    • Homemade broth allows control of the amount of sodium added.

  • Introduction

    When a child is sick, parents search for answers wherever possible to find ways to resolve the illness. For years the BRAT diet was recommended as the method of responding to childhood diarrhea. Today some medical professionals believe the BRAT diet to be to restrictive for children http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5216a1.htm <ref> while others like the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital still offer information on its use <ref> http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_bratdiet_pep.htm <ref>

    The acronym BRAT stands for acronym for:

    • Bananas
    • Rice
    • Applesauce
    • Toast

    This low fiber diet contains easily digested items and is not heavy in sugar concentration as sugar can worsen diarrhea.

  • Step 1: Discuss the BRAT Diet with the Child’s Doctor

    The best answer to the debate on whether the BRAT diet is best for your sick child is found with your child’s doctor. He or she can assess the situation better than any source not directly interfacing with the child. The doctor will assess the child’s well being and determine if a liquid diet, BRAT diet or variation, or other nutrition is best based on the immediate medical condition.

  • Step 2: Prevent Dehydration

    Regardless of the use of the BRAT Diet or a variation, it is critical for the sick child to prevent dehydration. Gatorade, clear liquids, or water given initially in small quantities and increased as the stomach settles are best. Milks, juices, and other sugary drinks should be avoided at this point. Babies under 1 year old may be given Pedialyte after discussion with the pediatrician. If the child has not urinated in 8 hours, or has no tears, seek further medical attention.

  • Step 3: How to Use the BRAT Diet

    If your doctor advises use of the BRAT diet, discuss what items make be added beyond the four named items. Rice for instance may be substituted by other starchy foods low in seasoning and fats. For instance, plain noodles or potatoes may be considered. In place of toast, dry crackers may be substituted. Add one item at a time to the child’s diet, in a small quantity only. Increase items and quantity slowly.

  • Step 4

    BRAT Diet Variations Several soft food diet variations may be used in place of the BRAT diet. The BRATTY diet begins with the same four ingredients as the BRAT but adds tea and yogurt as possible foods in the early stages of returning to foods.

    The CRAM Diet is an alternative which may be utilized for children. CRAM stands for Cereal, Rice and Milk. The addition of milk to the items offered adds protein and fats back into the child’s diet. With CRAM, just as the BRAT Diet, oral rehydration is still a priority.

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