BRAT Diet For Stomach Upset In Kids: Is It Good?

BRAT Diet For Stomach Upset In Kids: Is It Good?

17 Jan 2022 | 2 min Read

Dr Reema Arora

Author | 1 Articles

The BRAT diet is a bland low fiber, low protein, low fat, & easy-to-digest diet. This diet was generally recommended for recovering the gastrointestinal tract from any kind of infection.

The BRAT diet includes Bananas, Rice, Apple sauce, and Toast. The idea was that a BRAT diet gave the gut a chance to rest and reduced the amount of stool produced.

The BRAT diet was once a staple of most pediatricians’ recommendations for children with an upset stomach, Digestive illnesses, stomach flu and diarrhea. But, over time recommending the BRAT diet to kids has reduced due to the long-term risk associated with it.

Based on various research & past case studies, Clinical Nutritionists & Dieticians no longer supports the recommendations of the BRAT diet to infants and kids.

Although bananas which are high in pectin are beneficial for improving gut health, and rice that’s an easy-to-digest food for kids during stomach problems. But following only the BRAT diet fails to provide the complete nutrition needed for recovery.
Certain nutritional deficiencies during gastrointestinal infection or stomach problems were experienced to worsen the conditions.

A few studies have also seen the association of a two-week BRAT diet to severe malnutrition in infants along with other related- medical problems.

In order to avoid such unpleasant situations, Clinical Nutritionists suggests to resume eating a normal, well-balanced diet appropriate for their age within 2 days of getting sick. That diet should include a mix of fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and complex carbohydrates. Both children and adults who are ill need to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Water is good, but adding broth, a natural sports drinks, or a rehydration solution (ORS) can help replace lost electrolytes.

Although it’s advisable to consult your physician or nutrition expert first and get a balanced diet nutrition chart for your kids to support a speedy recovery and to ease the symptoms.

#childhealth #babyfood #babycare

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