Food provides us with nutrition that prevents u from falling for diseases. We know that different kinds of food items have various nutrients that aid the body in performing specific functions. Most of the people suffer from gastrointestinal diseases and disorder because of poor eating habits. This can be changed with the help of bland diet. This diet is useful to treat common problems such as vomiting, heartburn, nausea and diarrhoea. It could also reduce symptoms of major gastrointestinal disorder that could create health complications. Today we will understand about bland diet in depth and know which nutrients we should consume in this diet.
Why should you eat bland diet?
Bland diet is useful to treat conditions of gastrointestinal distress. We spoke to clinical nutritionist Ms. Shilpa Singh from Fatima Hospital, Lucknow to understand importance of bland diet. She told that bland diet not only helps to treat various gastro issues but also provides relief to muscles and intestine to digest food. Bland diet could be helpful in curing these problems-
- Peptic ulcers
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Vomiting
- Acid reflux
- Irritation in digestive tract
- Digestive disorders
Bland diet needs to be taken for a continuous period of 15days to one month in order to treat the gastrointestinal problem in all. You may also need to inculcate some positive habits in your lifestyle that could sustain this diet and help you in future process. Bland foods are soft in texture and are low in fibre. Apart from this they are higher in pH value and mildly seasoned. Bland diet can improve conditions related to acid in stomach and prevent irritation that otherwise happens because of discomfort in the gut.
What can you eat in Bland Diet?
Even though it looks like very plain food with no taste, it is not so. Bland food and diet can be tasty and it does not need to be all plain. The food that you eat in bland diet needs to be comforting to your system and recommendations could vary from person to person. Foods could slightly change depending on the problem you are catering rest basic idea of bland diet remains the same.
1. Low Fat Dairy Products
You can have some low-fat dairy products that could possibly be beneficial for your gut. It should be fat-free milk, yogurt, and mildly flavoured cheese would be best. Lactose intolerant people and milk protein intolerant people need to be very considerate about dairy products intake. Nutritionist recommends not having dairy items if you have peptic ulcers.
2. Vegetable intake
Most of the vegetables that are high in fibre can be consumed by the people having gastrointestinal diseases. It is best to eat it fresh and boiled, you do not need butter or any type of fat for it, however little amount is allowed. Here are list of vegetables that can be beneficial in bland diet for your problems-
- Beets
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Peas
- White and sweet potatoes
- Spinach pumpkin
Some people can tolerate lettuce and other salads in moderation. You need to exclude some vegetables that could cause gas in your body. These vegetables include broccoli, kale, Brussels and sprouts.
3. Avoid low fibre fruits
Some low fibre fruits could also be seeded in the bland diet. But you need to be very careful that they are not raw or uncooked. Some canned and cooked food can be included in bland diet. Most common fruits are bananas and melon. Both of them are high in fibre and can be tolerated and beneficial for people going through intestinal problems. Avocados can also be taken in low amounts with bland diet.
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4. Processed grains
White bread products, seedless rye and some refined wheat products are also a part of bland diet. These foods support digestive health and are easy to be consumed and digested in the stomach. Processed grains can be beneficial but you need to avoid gluten containing grains from your meals. Here are some gluten free foods that you can take instead of processed grains-
- Soft white pasta
- Plain soda crackers
- Cooked cereals
- Cream of wheat or processed oatmeal
- Cold cereals those are low in sugar content
5. Poultry, eggs and fish
Lean and protein sources are also safe to be included in bland diet. It needs to have milk seasoning that could boost your digestive health. Some foods high in protein that you can include in your meals are-
- Skinless chicken
- Fish
- Eggs
- Silken tofu
- Shellfish shrimp and lobster
6. Avoid seeded and Acidic fruits
Some fruits that have lots of tiny seeds inside them need to be avoided while you are on bland diet. This is because acidity of some fruits can trigger your health and cause heartburn in people. Most of the dried fruits and fruit juices should be eliminated from your diet as well when you are following bland diet. You must avoid these fruits-
- Berries
- Grapes
- Prunes
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Limes
- Grapefruit
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7. Other Food items to avoid
You must avoid any type of alcoholic drinks that could be irritating and cause problems in the stomach. You should stop the consumption of beverages such as coffee, tea and soda. Many dressings that are used in food items also need to be avoided such as mustard sauce, ketchups, salad dressing and hoarseradish. You also need to avoid some food items that could possibly worsen your symptoms of gastric problems-
- Olives
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Fatty desserts
- Granola
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