This past weekend I had a nasty spell with my Celiac’s Disease. If you’re not familiar with that, Celiac’s Disease is an autoimmune disorder (in which your immune system attacks itself instead of whatever is coming against it) and a severe allergy to wheat gluten. I’ll do a series on this in the future, but, for now, suffice it to say that if I accidentally get any wheat gluten in my system, the results are not pretty. Ever had food poisoning? Yeah. This is about twice as bad.
Anyways, normally I’m fine, except maybe a little spell here and there…but this one started last Friday and took me down for the count! And the pain was worse than I remember it being before. (I’m actually STILL in some pain today!) But at some point, you have to try to eat again so you can gain some strength back, and when I tried to eat, I couldn’t even finish a cheese stick. (Maybe not the BEST thing for me to eat, true, but it was what I had on hand that was small!)
Sunday and Monday, it didn’t matter what I put in my stomach…the pain was pretty much unbearable. There’s no point in eating if it’s gonna hurt that bad. And then, I remembered…
When I was little and I would have an upset stomach for anything, my mom always put me on the BRAT diet for a day or two. (No, not because I was sick and being a brat! HA!) The BRAT diet is simply a bland diet that consists of foods low in fiber.
BRAT is…
Yep, BRAT = Bananas, Rice, Applesauce & Toast!
Some have also modified this diet, calling it BRATT (with tea), BRATTY (with tea and yogurt), or BRATCH (with boiled chicken). Sometimes the “T” also stands for tapioca!
I need to throw a “G” in mine somewhere, because one of the only things I can drink and stay hydrated with when I’m sick is Gatorade. How would that work? BRATG? BRAGT? GRABT? I don’t know…but you get the idea!
I already had the rice, but I grabbed some applesauce, gluten-free bread, bananas and Gatorade, and voila! The difference in how my stomach reacted to the BRAT diet was like night and day, thank goodness! And I wonder, why did I not remember this BEFORE?!
But when people saw me eating, they were wondering what on earth I was eating? It was then that I discovered that no everyone was familiar with the BRAT diet, so I thought I’d share it with you!
Have you tried it? Pros and cons? What is your go-to diet when your stomach is upset?
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I’ve heard that Celiac Disease is no fun, sounds terrible. Sorry you had such a bad time of it. Glad you are feeling better now.
Thanks, Shirley!
My mom always made me eat saltines and drink flat gingerale when my tummy was upset. Bananas actually upset my stomach all the time,so I can’t have them ever, which is a bummer because I LOVE them.
That’s sad 😦 I wonder why they upset your stomach…
Coeliacs disease sounds horrible. If ever I have a dodgy stomach, I find that dry foods help me!
If I have a little upset stomach, it’s funny, but Doritos will actually help me. Not good for me at all, but somehow they calm my stomach! Those are kinda dry! I like your theory 🙂
The BRAT Diet is amazing for stomach issues – my sons pediatrician told me about it 17 years ago. It works wonders, are you able to try peppermint too? I use peppermint in an essential oil that I just add to water each day and it helps more with my issues than the BRAT diet.
Yes! I always have peppermint something with me, just in case! Sometimes if I’m caught without it, even grabbing a York Peppermint Patty will settle my stomach instantly! (Not the healthiest, but it works in a pinch!)
I think I may have heard about the BRAT diet several years ago. Thanks for the reminder!
Sure thing, Cassi!
My mom taught us about the BRAT diet when we were little! My husband was sick last week and I told him he needed to eat some toast and he just laughed at me and asked me why in the world toast would help him feel better. But he ate some and it was pretty much the only thing that he could keep down for several days! =)
It really does work! I was amazed at how much better I felt after I started in on it!
I had heard of this before but kind of forgot about it. Great post.
Glad it was helpful, Erica!
Yes, I know this diet for upset tummies, thank you Kristen for sharing…..Great info in your blog posts, thank you!
Thanks, Joan! (Now, here’s to us not actually needing to USE it any time soon LOL)
Never heard of this diet,If i have an upset stomach there are only 2 things that can help toast and flat cola,Works every time the cola is the best for me.
Ah, toast! 🙂 I like flat cola sometimes, as well, Kay!
So sorry for your pain, not fun. BRAT is new to me, never heard of it. It also made me think when was the last time my stomach was upset, do not remember. This is big for me. I changed my diet to wholesome foods, basically no sugar or additives and things have improved so much in so many ways. It is so worth it to eat what God created for us to eat. I am afraid though Gatorade is not on that list.
Get well soon, Kristen!
I’m sure your gut is healthier than mine, Anna! I’m not nearly as good as you are!
The BRAT diet is so important and the number one thing to remember when you or your kids are sick. We have been doing this forever and now even doctors are recommending this diet (it is amazing what people will try to eat when they are sick and wonder why they upset their stomach more!). Thanks for sharing this great info!
I know, I don’t know how people eat some of the things they do LOL
Other then the bananas which I am allergic to (talk BAD stomach ache) yes-I generally do go for applesauce, toast and peppermint tea–oh and jello
You know what, I never heard of anyone having upset tummies from bananas until today, with responses to this post! I’ve learned something new!
I always use rice, since it’s what I usually ate whenever I had a sore stomach.
I’m eating rice right now LOL
I’ve heard of the BRAT diet. 🙂 I’m glad you found something that worked for you!
Me too, Rosey, thank you!
So sorry you had a really rough time of it this past weekend, Kristen. Glad you are feeling much better. I had heard of the BRAT diet for tummy aches years ago, but haven’t though of it in years. So glad you reminded me of it. I usually eat saltines when I have tummy issues, but I’m going to remember the BRAT way. Pinning!
Ah yes, I can’t do the saltines, because they are full of gluten LOL Thank you for the pin! 🙂
I put my kids on BRAT diet when they have a tummy bug. It’ s easy on their little stomachs.
Yes, easy on little tummies AND big tummies! 🙂
Yes, I learned this when I was pregnant and have been doing it ever since, for me and the kids. It works!
Ah, I didn’t think about it for morning sickness! Good point!
My daughter has Celiac and has spent more time on the BRAT diet than she would like. She usually adds plain baked chicken, and powerade, but last time she got “glutened,” all she could eat was applesauce and water for days!
I feel her pain. Pretty sick of applesauce myself 🙂 She is not alone!
Ugh Celiac sounds horrible 😦 hope you feel better soon. I learned about BRAT when I was little,my mom used to do it for us when we had a stomach bug. Sure enough it is the first thing I think of when my kiddos are sick now.
I’m glad it helps other people, too!
I always do this when my kids have tummy aches, however I am pregnant and I cannot eat bananas at all. they make my stomach hurt so much!
Oh goodness, someone else who can’t do bananas! I’m sorry 😦
My Mum always taught me toast or crackers when I was feeling a little better I would be allowed a scraping of jam but not too much. I hate having an upset stomach it is just the worst 😦 x
I know, it’s no fun. I’d rather have the jam LOL
You mentioned the items needing to be low in fiber. Breads vary so much in fiber levels, is there a particular type you would recommend for us gluten-eating peeps?
Ooo, good question! Pretty much white bread is best. The healthier it is, the more fiber it holds. So all the whole wheat breads, and the ones chock full of seeds are not the best for upset tummies 😦
Oh, and can you put cinnamon in the applesauce? Asking because it’s good for the immune system and I try to put it in my foods particularly when I have a virus or cold.
Actually, that would be helpful! Cinnamon is calming to the stomach!
Good tips for upset stomachs. I would have thought of toast and rice, but most likely not the fruits.
I know, it seems like an odd combination! But it really works, trust me!
I remember this from when I was little. It works on our tummys!
Indeed! I’m thankful for that!
Our son’s pediatrician has always recommended the BRAT diet when they are suffering from stomach viruses or have upset stomachs. It has always relieved their symptoms.
That’s great! I’m glad I’m not out of touch 🙂
Hmmmm, I had never hear of that before now. I used to make my kids veggie soup when their tummies were upset
I’m sure that’s good, too!
I’ve heard of the BRAT diet for upset stomachs. For me, I don’t like rice, so it would be more of a BAT diet. I drink peppermint tea when I feel sick. That always helps!
Yes, I love anything peppermint when I’m feeling iffy, too!
Sorry to hear you weren’t feeling well. I’ve been doing the BRAT diet for my son when he has an upset tummy diet without realizing it even had a name.
Ah, see, that’s just how good you are! 🙂
I do a modified version of this when my ulcerative colitis flares, but I can’t handle the rice then. I’m sorry you had to go through this!
Oh, well, you understand how it is with the ulcerative colitis flares! My goodness!