How does the BRAT diet help with gastroenteritis?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

The BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—is a short-term eating plan used to help manage diarrhea and mild stomach upset. These four bland, low-fiber foods are gentle on the digestive system, help firm up stools, and replace nutrients lost during illness. The BRAT diet is typically recommended for 24–48 hours, after which a normal, balanced diet should be resumed to ensure adequate nutrition.

If you're dealing with ongoing diarrhea, nausea, or stomach discomfort, it's important to understand the root cause rather than just treating symptoms. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you identify possible conditions in minutes and guide your next steps—empowering you to make informed decisions about your health with confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover if your gastroenteritis needs care today Learn likely causes of diarrhea and vomiting See if your symptoms suggest norovirus Find OTC relief for diarrhea and nausea Find a doctor for stomach illness Discover medically proven home remedies for gastroenteritis Understand if symptoms need urgent attention

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Explanation

The BRAT diet is often recommended for people with gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines often causing diarrhea. This diet consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods are chosen because they are bland and easy to digest, which can help reduce stomach upset and diarrhea.

Benefits of the BRAT Diet:

Blandness: The foods in the BRAT diet are not spicy or heavy, which helps prevent further irritation to the stomach and intestines.
Low Fiber: These foods are low in fiber, which can help firm up stools and reduce diarrhea.
Nutrient Content: Bananas provide potassium, an important electrolyte that can be lost during diarrhea.

While the BRAT diet can be helpful in the short term, it is important to return to a balanced diet with a variety of nutrients as soon as possible to ensure proper nutrition and recovery. If you're experiencing persistent digestive symptoms, you can use Ubie's free AI symptom checker to better understand your condition and determine if you need medical attention.

(References)

Ramsook C, Sahagun-Carreon I, Kozinetz CA, & Moro-Sutherland D. (2002). A randomized clinical trial comparing oral ondansetron .... Annals of emergency medicine, 11919526.
Shankar S, & Durairaj E. (2024). Diet and Management of Diarrhea. Indian journal of pediatrics, 37480452.
O'Brien L, Wall CL, Wilkinson TJ, & Gearry RB. (2021). What Are the Pearls and Pitfalls of the Dietary Management .... Nutrients, 33919083.

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