Is the BRAT Diet the Best Solution for an Upset Stomach?

The BRAT diet has been used for a significant time in modern medicine and has been advised by millions of pediatricians and doctors all over the world. Why are the BRAT diet for upset stomach and the BRAT diet for diarrhea often given, and is the BRAT diet really the best solution?

The BRAT diet has been used for so long because it works, and the reasoning behind this diet is sound. It consists of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast; all very bland foods that are easy on the stomach and digestive tract. There is very little fat, fiber, or sugars in these foods so they are much easier to digest compared to others, and they can help to calm an upset stomach or nervous intestines.

When prescribing the BRAT diet for upset stomach or the BRAT diet for diarrhea, some physicians may modify the diet slightly by adding yogurt or tea with the reasoning that both of these substances also help soothe and calm the stomach and digestive tract without being hard to digest. The purpose is to let the stomach and digestive tract rest and heal. Some doctors now believe that children should not be placed on the diet for more than 24 hours because it lacks some essential nutrients that are needed for the body to heal and recover from infections and illnesses. The brat diet can be very beneficial and may be the best solution for stomach upset in both children and adults, but with children, the goal is to get them back to a normal diet as soon as possible so they do not miss out on needed nutrients for growth and healing.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.