If you have a child who has had a bout of severe diarrhea you have probably heard of the BRAT diet. If you haven’t heard of it you are probably wondering what it is. The BRAT diet is Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. This is what many Pediatricians tell parents to feed their kids who have diarrhea. It was thought at one time that those foods would allow the digestive tract to rest while the body dealt with the diarrhea.
It now appears that The American Academy of Pediatrics feels that the diet does more harm than good. However, it appears that many Pediatricians still prescribe the diet. The AAOP feels that the diet no longer provides adequate nutrition for small children with diarrhea. It appears that the lack of zinc in the diet is one of the biggest problems the group has with the diet. Zinc is usually found in meat, fish, and poultry and dairy products and is an important nutrient. These are items that are considered off limits with the BRAT diet.
In reality, a zinc deficiency is probably not a problem over the short term continuing on the BRAT diet for an extended period of time is. Good nutrition is important for sick kids with diarrhea and The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that a regular diet be introduced within 24 hours of the first bout of diarrhea. They do recommend that parents stay away from fried or spicy foods though.
As a parent who has used the BRAT diet countless times I feel that it is still applicable in most situations. While I am not saying that The American Academy of Pediatrics is wrong or that I disagree with their point, I do think it’s a good diet to follow when your kids are sick with diarrhea. Sometimes kids don’t feel sick to their stomach enough that they lose their appetite. The BRAT diet offers some foods that are less likely to cause more bouts of diarrhea.
Whether you choose to continue using the BRAT diet or not you do need to keep in mind one important thing, it should only be used for the duration of the diarrhea. To continue to use it any longer is putting your child at risk. The BRAT diet simply does not afford the nutrients that rapidly growing little bodies need.
Discuss any questions you may have with your Pediatrician. Ask them to be specific about how long they would recommend you follow this diet. Ask them what they feel the benefits are or aren’t. Above all else be informed and follow your instincts.
