The BRAT diet is a historically prescribed for patients with gastrointestinal distress such as diarrhea, dyspepsia, and/or gastroenteritis. The BRAT diet consists of foods that are relatively bland and low in fiber. Low-fiber foods were recommended as it was thought that foods high in fiber cause gas and possibly worsen gastrointestinal upset.[1]
An acronym, BRAT is a mnemonic for bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast, the staples of the diet.[1] Extensions to the BRAT diet include BRATT (with tea), BRATTY (with tea and yogurt), and BRATCH (with chicken, often boiled). Sometimes the "T" represents tapioca.
In addition to dietary restrictions, medical professionals recommended that all patients, regardless of age, intake plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, along with oral rehydration solutions to replace the depleted electrolytes[2] to avoid salt imbalance. Severe, untreated salt imbalance can result in "extreme weakness, confusion, coma, or death."[3]
