What Is The BRAT Diet And When Is It Recommended?

The BRAT diet is a type of diet that is implemented when people suffer from acute digestive problems, for symptomatic treatment. It has become fashionable in recent years due to the good results it offers. Of course, it is not a valid dietary method to apply continuously.

It must be taken into account that gastrointestinal disorders can be caused by very diverse mechanisms and causes. Sometimes the origin is a microorganism. Other times there is an inflammatory intestinal pathology that conditions the functioning of the digestive tract.

What is the BRAT diet about?

This acronym refers to a diet based on banana, white rice, applesauce and toast. It starts when you experience problems such as vomiting, diarrhea or intestinal discomfort . They are all easily digestible foods that provide essential nutrients to ensure electrolyte balance.

In any case, this diet is lacking in some important elements, such as proteins. For this reason, it should not be sustained in the medium term. It must be considered that a contribution of more than 0.8 grams of protein per kilo of weight per day is necessary in sedentary people, according to a study published in the journal Annals of Nutrition & Metabolims.

If these requirements are not met, you will begin to experience progressive muscle destruction, the result of protein catabolism. The BRAT diet falls far short of the indicated values, much more so in the case of athletes. For this reason, when the acute phase of intestinal problems subsides, we must begin to reintroduce the rest of the foods into the diet.

Other foods that can be eaten

In addition to those mentioned, other products can be introduced in the context of the BRAT diet. This as long as the symptoms are not intense and do not worsen after eating meals.

In this way, tolerance to honey, oranges and boiled eggs can be checked. For example, in the event that intestinal discomfort is the result of alcohol poisoning, these products can help recover homeostasis in the internal environment to contribute to the purification of toxins.

Coconut can also be a great option. The water from this fruit has a large amount of electrolytes inside, making it an ideal product to ensure a good state of hydration. It should be remembered that, during episodes of diarrhea, one of the main risks is precisely dehydration.

When is the BRAT diet recommended?

The BRAT diet is recommended when you experience medium-sized intestinal symptoms associated with alcohol or microbiological poisoning. For example, during a state of gastroenteritis, this feeding protocol can be implemented with the aim of providing nutrients without generating heavy digestion. It could be classified as a variant of the soft diet.

However, care must be taken with this protocol in the context of inflammatory intestinal pathologies. Some of them are quite sensitive to the inclusion of fiber in the diet. Apple consumption could aggravate the symptoms. This is due to the presence of pectins inside, fibers that have been shown to be capable of promoting microbial growth.

Is the BRAT diet recommended for children?

Children can follow the BRAT diet for short periods. As long as the acute phase of gastrointestinal symptoms lasts, they can benefit from this feeding method.

Now, they must begin to reintroduce protein foods as soon as possible to avoid deficits that affect growth. If the symptoms do not improve, it will be necessary to consult a doctor.

Efficacy and evidence

As far as scientific literature is concerned, there are no articles published in high-impact journals that analyze the efficiency of the BRAT diet. In fact, some medical associations advise some caution about its implementation. In the case of inflammatory intestinal pathologies it can be counterproductive, so it is advisable to first consult with a specialist.

The truth is that eating some of the foods suggested in the BRAT diet can be effective in treating diarrhea. According to research published in the journal Nursing and Midwifery Studies , rice soup is efficient in improving the management of this problem in children, since it reduces the risk of electrolyte imbalances.

Alternatives and other recommendations

In the event of any alteration in gastrointestinal function, it is advisable to rethink the diet, at least temporarily. However, you do not always have to follow a BRAT type of diet to achieve symptomatic improvement. There are other more proven options, such as the soft diet, a protocol created to manage gastroenteritis and associated problems.

On the other hand, it is not only advisable to propose a treatment for the symptoms, but also to look for the origin that causes the alteration. Depending on this, different dietary strategies can be recommended, such as the consumption of probiotics . In any case, if the symptoms do not subside by applying an easily digestible dietary method, or they continue for more than 2 or 3 days, you should visit the doctor.

The BRAT diet, an easily digestible diet

As detailed, the BRAT diet has a very specific framework of application. It can be useful when experiencing alcohol or food poisoning, but of low severity. However, it is not without limitations and even risks.

It must be kept in mind that a healthy diet is characterized by variety and balance. In this sense, all restrictive feeding methods must be maintained for a short time to avoid nutritional deficits.