Is the BRAT diet really the best way to treat a stomach bug?
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Doctors once swore by a diet of bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast to treat gastrointestinal ailments, but it was never supported by clear evidence.
PHOTO: ERIC HELGAS/NYTIMES
Isobel Whitcomb
- The BRAT diet, once common for treating stomach bugs, is no longer recommended due to lack of evidence and poor nutritional support for recovery.
- Staying hydrated and replenishing electrolytes is essential during gastrointestinal illness.
- Patients should resume a normal diet quickly, including protein and fibre, while avoiding sugary foods that worsen diarrhoea.
AI generated
A: Doctors once swore by a diet of bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast to treat gastrointestinal ailments, a regimen often known by the acronym BRAT.
“When I was training as a paediatrician, the BRAT diet was the first thing we put anyone on when they came into the hospital with diarrhoea,” said Tamara Hannon, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Nutrition.
