BRATT Diet Phase 1

This information explains what to eat in phase 1 of the BRATT (Banana, Rice, Applesauce, Tea, Toast) diet.

The goal of the BRATT diet is to ease your gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, such as diarrhea (loose or watery bowel movements) or vomiting (throwing up). Depending on how serious your symptoms are, it’s important to start adding foods back into your diet slowly.

The BRATT diet limits foods you can eat. It’s important to work with your clinical dietitian nutritionist to meet your specific nutrition needs by getting enough calories, protein, and other nutrients.

Types of Fiber

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that your body can’t digest. There are 2 main types of fiber:

Insoluble fiber. This type of fiber may pass through your body quickly and can make diarrhea worse. Insoluble fiber is found in the skins of fruits and vegetables, legumes (such as beans and lentils), seeds, and whole grains. These types of foods are not recommended on a BRATT diet.

Soluble fiber. This type of fiber dissolves in water to make a gel. This can make your stool (poop) more solid. Soluble fiber is found in oats, peaches, bananas, and rice. These types of foods are recommended on a BRATT diet.

Fluid Intake

Along with changing the types of foods you eat, it’s important to drink plenty of water, liquids, and soups. Drinks with electrolytes, such as sports drinks and clear nutritional supplement drinks, are good choices. Drinking lots of liquids will help you avoid dehydration (loss of body fluid).

It’s best to drink most of your liquids between your meals, not with them. This helps you avoid getting too full during your meals.

BRATT Diet Phases

The BRATT Diet has 2 phases. This is the first phase of the diet. Your clinical dietitian nutritionist or medical team will add more foods to your diet if you move on to phase 2.