BRAT diet? Variations or ideas?

aegrimm · September 2009

So the BRAT (or BART) diet = Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast.

DS (assuming he stays vomit free for another hour) is going to be on it for 24-48 hours. Is there anything else bland I can add to it to give him some variety? Or is that basically it? Also, any ideas on how to combine the foods to make it tastier? I remember my mom putting applesauce on toast (like jelly) so it wasn't so dry, but I'm at a loss for anything else.

I also need to pack three snacks and a lunch for daycare tomorrow for him, so I need some ideas for that. This working mom stuff is so hard. Sad It's easier when he's happy and healthy. I feel guilty leaving him when he doesn't feel well. Sad

snickerdoodle27 · September 2009

I don't think a little jelly would hurt. I've already put a little peanut butter on toast (very thin layer) in order for ds to eat it. Saltine crackers are fine to give. I give him dry cereal too, like cheerios. He loves waffles so I'll give him a plain waffle to eat. Basically just anything dry, and no dairy. Hope he's better soon!

JulieandBen · September 2009

I never did the BRAT diet with my son much. I'd stick to mild bland foods like Cheerios and such. As long as he wasn't vomiting then I didn't worry too much about it. Cheerios, yogurts, applesauce, Earth's Best regular Sesame Street crackers (they are sort of like saltines or Ritz but not as salty or buttery), and things like that. There was no way my son was going to eat white rice and I wasn't going to buy a loaf of white bread when I knew he wouldn't eat it anyway. I would do white pita on occasion when his stomach was upset. I'd melt some mild cheese in it.

JulieandBen · September 2009

JulieandBen:
I never did the BRAT diet with my son much. I'd stick to mild bland foods like Cheerios and such. As long as he wasn't vomiting then I didn't worry too much about it. Cheerios, yogurts, applesauce, Earth's Best regular Sesame Street crackers (they are sort of like saltines or Ritz but not as salty or buttery), and things like that. There was no way my son was going to eat white rice and I wasn't going to buy a loaf of white bread when I knew he wouldn't eat it anyway. I would do white pita on occasion when his stomach was upset. I'd melt some mild cheese in it.

Stay away from anything acidic or strong flavored. Stick to mild foods.

neverblushed · September 2009

My pedi said that plain pasta can be substituted for rice and that crackers can be swapped for toast (but not anything greasy like Ritz).

Another thing kids can eat on the BRAT diet is jell-o, but it has little nutritional value.

I will tell you that one of my kids snaps back from stomach problems very quickly, and can generally eat whatever she wants within 24 hours of barfing. But with the other kid, I have to be absolutely strict in sticking to bananas for 6 hours, rice/pasta for 6 hours, applesauce for a day, then finally toast.

neverblushed · September 2009

JulieandBen:

JulieandBen:
I never did the BRAT diet with my son much. I'd stick to mild bland foods like Cheerios and such. As long as he wasn't vomiting then I didn't worry too much about it. Cheerios, yogurts, applesauce, Earth's Best regular Sesame Street crackers (they are sort of like saltines or Ritz but not as salty or buttery), and things like that. There was no way my son was going to eat white rice and I wasn't going to buy a loaf of white bread when I knew he wouldn't eat it anyway. I would do white pita on occasion when his stomach was upset. I'd melt some mild cheese in it.

Stay away from anything acidic or strong flavored. Stick to mild foods.

Some kids become very lactose intolerant for 72 hours after throwing up or having diarrhea. I'd avoid any dairy unless you already have a sense that your son doesn't become lactose intolerant.

Another thing I've learned is that the longer/more serious the stomach flu was, the longer I have to hold off on dairy and meat. A single night of vomiting = 2 days with no dairy. 3 days or more of vomiting = a week with no dairy for my DS.