BRAT Diet
A bland diet followed by patients recovering from illnesses.
BACKGROUND
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The BRAT diet is a unique approach to weight loss. An age old remedy for babies and toddlers with diarrhea, BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast (plain, no butter). The premise for the program is that the food items are all easy to digest, and will decrease the intestinal distress the child is experiencing and allow the body to heal.
How a diet meant for sick children became a mainstream diet for adults is not clear. However, its followers claim that it helps with bloating, makes them feel less full (i.e. gassy) and the calorie restriction from the lack of fat and protein does result in weight loss over time.
PRO
- Easy to follow and remember
- Foods are usually a part of every well-stocked pantry
- Just uses natural foods
- Vegetarian and Vegan friendly
CON
- Program is very restrictive
- Person would have to be OK with eating the same foods for every meal
- Lack of protein could lead to lack of energy
- Does not support a low-carb diet
- Dangerously low in calories
DIET and NUTRITION
Not unlike the Shangri-La diet, this is a program for those who don't mind being compulsive about their food intake. If excessive control is necessary for a person to lose weight, then this program could work.
In addition, the program could provide relief after a cleansing fast, such as, the Maple Syrup Diet, or if they needed to restore normalcy after an allergic reaction to another diet or supplement.
EXERCISE
Not a part of the program, as the BRAT diet is usually prescribed when someone is recovering from illness.
CONCLUSION
The dieters of the world have proven that they are willing to try anything to lose weight. It all comes down to a matter of fit, and if this is a diet that fits your lifestyle, consult your doctor to ask about adequate protein intake, and make sure it is safe for you to consume large amounts of potassium, via the bananas.
Rice is an excellent diet food, especially when unpolished, as in brown rice. Applesauce provides much needed fiber and nutrients, and plain toast can be satisfying to many.
Common Misspellings
Brats diet, brat deit, b.r.a.t. diet, diarrhea diet
Featured Diets
Related Diets: Baby Food Diet, Mariah Carey Bleak Diet, Shangri-La Diet, Bland Diet
User Feedback
(Page 1 of 1, 4 total comments)Janet D.
I suffer from acute pancreatitis among other things and Iam not to eat anything at all ot even drink anything , while having a pancreatic attack or even a while afted a pancreatic attack. But e.r dr. told me to drink clear liquids and if I was able to tolerate it to start with BRAT diet, at home . So far so good , toast is very satisfing and hey it is better than nothing at all . I dont like applesauce though :/
posted Feb 19th, 2012 6:57 amI have also given it to my children when they've had diarreha and they dont mind a bit :)
dn
The diet has let my "gut" have a rest from horrible diarrhea, but I am so lethargic. I can't get motivated to do anything but sit and read! But BRAT is easy to remember what I CAN eat.
posted May 17th, 2009 4:51 pmElena
This came as "Dr's Orders". It's ok, just hard to get used to "No Caffine".
posted Dec 2nd, 2008 5:20 pmElena
It's ok.........just hard to get used to no caffine.
posted Dec 2nd, 2008 5:19 pm