The BRATTY (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Tea, Toast, and Yogurt) diet is generally recommended as part of the prescribed treatment for patients suffering from gastrointestinal ailments. Common conditions such as gastroenteritis, dyspepsia, and diarrhea as well as more serious conditions such as Graft versus Host Disease can be effectively managed and treated with this diet. This diet helps to treat the root cause of diarrhea as well as the accompanying symptoms such as abdominal cramps, dehydration, fatigue, and lethargy. It is important to include all the foods in this diet for a speedy recovery.
Bananas
- Bananas are rich in soluble fibers which help to absorb excess intestinal fluids. A type of soluble fiber in bananas called inulin also helps to promote the growth of healthy gastrointestinal bacteria.
- Dehydration is one of the main concerns of diarrhea as it can cause a person to slip into a coma and can even be fatal. Bananas are rich in potassium, manganese, and magnesium which help to replace the lost electrolytes and prevent dehydration.
- Bananas also contain significant amounts of Vitamins A, B, C as well as calcium and selenium.
Rice
- Rice helps to soothe and regulate the digestive system and helps to regularize intestinal contractions. This reduces and even prevents painful spasms and stomach cramps which is a common symptom of gastrointestinal disorders.
- Rice is rich in soluble fiber which is not digested by the body but instead forms a thick gel. This gel acts as a bulking agent by absorbing excess liquids present in the intestines.
- Rice contains complex carbohydrates and is especially recommended for toddlers and children suffering from diarrhea. Brown rice would be a better option as it has superior nutritional values as compared to white rice.
Applesauce
- Apples are rich in pectin which helps to firm stools. However they also contain sorbitol which can aggravate diarrhea. Homemade applesauce retains the benefits of pectin but the sorbitol is destroyed during the cooking process. This makes applesauce ideal for patients suffering from diarrhea.
- Applesauce also contains significant amounts of Potassium, Manganese, and Vitamin C which prevent dehydration.
- Apple peels have a very high nutritional value but they are also high in insoluble fibers which can irritate the stomach lining and aggravate diarrhea. Make sure that you only use peeled apples when making applesauce.
Toast
- Toast is easy to digest and helps to neutralize strong stomach acids. This makes it ideal for people suffering from diarrhea.
- Toast is easy to digest while bread is not. This is because the heat converts the starch present in the bread into a light carbohydrate which is broken down easily and digested.
- Have toast made out of whole wheat bread as it is healthier than white bread. Whole wheat bread also contains several types of soluble fibers which help to treat diarrhea.
Tea
- Tea is very beneficial in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders as it helps to increase the number of healthy intestinal bacteria. This decreases the amount of harmful bacteria in the digestive system and speeds-up the recovery process.
- Tea also helps to increase the body’s immunity levels against various intestinal disorders.
- Green tea, Oolong tea and black tea are the healthiest options, and of these green tea is generally considered to be the best.
Yogurt
- Yogurt contains healthy bacteria which help to prevent and treat diarrhea.
- Yogurt has been rated as one of the world’s healthiest foods. It is a good source of vitamins and proteins and helps to strengthen the body and repair any damage to the intestines.
- Flavored yogurt contains several sugars that can aggravate diarrhea. A mixture of a few spoons of honey along with unflavored yogurt would appeal to both kids and adults alike.
You can also include small amounts of steamed chicken, coconut juice, broth, soup, and boiled potatoes in the patient’s diet. A person suffering from diarrhea often feels fatigued and weary and so they often suffer a loss of appetite. Experiment with various combinations and make sure that they only have small servings throughout the day. While plain toast may not be very appetizing, the aroma from a slice of fresh toast with honey will definitely help to work up an appetite. In the same way, finely diced bananas with a few spoons of applesauce would be more appealing than having the bananas and applesauce as individual dishes. You can blend a few slices of steamed skinless chicken and add this to a bowl of freshly steamed rice with a small amount of mashed potatoes on the side. Keep in mind that spicy foods and foods with a high fat content should be completely avoided.
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