BRAT diet- plain or add

[Anonymous]

I have a question about the BRAT diet. Can you add anything to make it more palatable? Can you add some jam to toast? Can you use wheat bread instead of white? Can you add a little bit of soy sauce if you are making a rice gruel? How about cinnamon applesauce instead of plain?

[Anonymous]

I guess that depends on why you’re following BRAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess that depends on why you’re following BRAT.

Stomach virus or food borne illness

[Anonymous]

I usually add soy sauce or salty broth for some salt (electrolyte) and ginger into congee/ rice gruel.
The bread should be white as it’s low fibre and easier to digest. Work up to whole wheat.
A little bit of cinnamon is probably fine, but the idea is that everything is gentle on the digestive system.
I probably wouldn’t do jam right off, but if toast is tolerated the first time, a tiny bit probably won’t hurt.

[Anonymous]

I would not add anything. All the things that would presumably make food tastier are things that might not be tolerated well internally.

I would stick strictly to the BRAT diet until all symptoms subside and the normal appetite returns. In my opinion and experience, rushing it (by adding jelly, etc.) can exacerbate the issue, if only temporarily.

[Anonymous]

Don't add anything. The lining of the stomach and intestines are trying to recover and rebuild. Bland is the whole point.

[Anonymous]

I was told BRAT diet was outdated and to allow patient to eat whatever they feel like eating as long as it’s not dairy, too acidic, too spicy.

[Anonymous]

I’m suffering from 24 hours of vomit ting and no food too. I’ve just been eating saltines and pretzel bagel slices. I I’d drink some Honest Tea iced green tea with honey. I really needed the caffeine more stomach seems to be tolerating it.