Diet is very important for everyone and it becomes of more value when it comes to the nutrition of children. Children are very fond of eating different variety of food but not all of them are healthy for them. What is more concerning is that they need nutrition that can be digested more easily and is fulfilling. BRAT diet provides children with this kind of nutrition. Pediatricians also recommend this diet when children suffer from problems related to digestion and stomach. Hence BRAT diet seems to be a good option for children. Let us know about this diet further to know its effectiveness, nutrients, ingredients and benefits on health.
Is BRAT diet Healthy?
Yes, it is absolutely healthy. We spoke to clinical nutritionist Ms. Shilpa Singh from Fatima Hospital, Lucknow to know about this diet and its effects. She said that BRAT diet has a positive effect on health of children because it calms down digestive process and provides essential nutrients that maintain healthy body functions. BRAT is actually a basic short form for Banana, Rice, Applesauce and Toast (Bread). If you see all these four ingredients, they have high amount of fiber, proteins, and healthy fats that are beneficial for children development. As a matter of fact, BRAT diet is also prescribed to infants suffering from diarrhea.
Effects of BRAT Diet on Health
Diet made up of such ingredients tends to resolve digestive problems. In number of cases it is helpful in aiding the digestive process and provides essential nutrition to the body. It can have healing effects on the following conditions-
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Bloating
Benefits of BRAT Diet
1. It firms your stool- The foods in this diet are starchy and fibrous which may cause loose and thin stools to bind more easily and effectively.
2. Gentle of digestive system- The foods present in BRAT diet are likely to balance the inflammation caused in the stomach. It is easy on the stomach that treats upset stomach and irritation caused in the digestive system.
3. Treats Nausea- As BRAT diet contains very slight flavor and lack of strong smell from the food present in this diet. It helps in treating conditions like nausea and vomiting effectively.
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Side-Effects of BRAT Diet
While BRAT diet may seem to be a very beneficial option for children going through stomach problems, it is not so when it comes to permanent diet. This diet is not very effective or recommended for permanent or regular consumption. The reason for this is that nutrients present in this diet consist of just dietary fiber, proteins and fats that are not very adequate for overall development of children.
Children also need other nutrients such as carbohydrates, variety of vitamins and minerals. BRAT diet is actually a treatment of remedy diet which needs to be taken while having stomach problems or once in a while. Otherwise it can cause weakness in children due to lack of carbohydrates and vitamins in the body.
What Can You Eat on BRAT Diet?
You may feel how obvious it is that you just have 4 food items in this diet. But no, it is more than that. According to nutritionist, BRAT diet just does not means having banana, rice, applesauce and toast, but also other binding foods. There are not many options but definitely more than these four. You can have these foods other that 4 already mentioned above.
- Cooked cereals
- Broth
- Boiled and baked potato
- Watermelon
- Sweet potatoes
- Crackers
- Apple juice
How to Follow BRAT Diet?
Nutrition recommends a three day plan to follow brat diet. Since BRAT diet is recommended to people having some stomach illness, hence this diet plan is according to that.
1. In the first 6 hours you may like to avoid having any food because of illness and feeling uncomfortable. Therefore give rest to your stomach.
2. Once vomiting or uneasiness has stopped, they try to have some ice chips or sip some water, this helps to replace electrolytes which are lost during vomiting and illness.
3. Then in a gap of another 2 hours, give some apple juice and vegetable or chicken broth to the children. Do not hurry or make them eat more than they want.
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4. Give rest to your stomach and avoid clear liquids for the time being. After given time have some cooked eggs, fruits and vegetables for your main meal. Try to include some proteins from chicken as well.
5. Again give rest to your system, let is digesting what you have eaten. Take just 1 heavy meal in the whole day and have binding liquids and food item in other two meals. If you eat variety of food too early, then symptoms may return, hence stick to this meal plan for 3 days.
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