Diarrhea: BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) Diet
Recently my child had episodes of diarrhea. When I checked with my child’s dietician about using the BRAT diet following these episodes, she told me that the pediatricians no longer support this diet. Do you have updated information on this practice?
The BRAT diet is not longer recommended in the treatment of diarrhea. It is not nutritionally complete. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends “continue to eat a normal diet including formula or milk.” High fat food and foods high in simple sugars should be avoided. Some examples of foods to avoid include carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices and liquids with a lot of sugar, gelatin desserts, and sugary cereals. Typically, I recommend that parents add the foods from the BRAT diet (bananas, applesauce, rice, toast) to what their child is currently eating and to prepare blander foods (without spices. Milk should only be restricted if it causes an increase in abdominal pain or diarrhea. It can be helpful to also include yogurt with active cultures (ones that contain acidophilus). Pedialyte is also recommended if the child is having watery diarrhea.
LG – TK 3/25/11
Legal Disclaimer: Please take note that the CdLS Foundation’s Ask the Expert service is comprised of volunteer professionals in various areas of focus. Response times may vary and a response is not guaranteed. Answers are not considered a medical, behavioral, or educational consultation. Ask the Expert is not a substitute for the care and attention your child’s personal physician, psychologist, educational consultant, or social worker can deliver.