Diarrhea: Gastroenteritis Diet

Formerly The Brat Diet

This diet is recommended for your child because he/she has had diarrhea.

If you are breast feeding your child you should continue, as breast milk is easy to digest.

If you are feeding a milk based infant formula to your child you should switch to a lactose free formula such as Lactofree, Isomil or Prosobee.

You should use this diet no more than three days since it is not adequate in all nutrients.

FOOD GROUP	ALLOWED / RECOMMENDED	AVOID / USE SPARINGLY
BREADS / STARCHES 4 servings or more CEREALS: Potatoes / Pasta / Rice	Most breads, dinner rolls, crackers and quick breads. All unsweetened or dry cereals, except as indicated. All that are prepared plain, nothing added.	Any that contain cocoa, chocolate, dried fruits, raisins, nuts or seeds. Cereals which are sweetened, cocoa or chocolate flavored and which contains nuts or dried fruit. Those prepared with spices, butter, oil and sauces are to be omitted.
VEGETABLES 2 servings or more	All cooked vegetables except as indicated.	Any that contain cocoa, chocolate, dried fruits, raisins, nuts or seeds.
FRUIT 2 servings	Canned fruits, fresh banana, fresh apple slices and fresh pear.	Dried fruits, fruit juices and fruits canned in heavy syrup are omitted.
MEAT & SUBSTITUTES 2 servings or more(4 to 6 oz. total/day)	All meat, fish, eggs, or poultry prepared simply.	Any meat or meat product that is prepared with or that contains spices, butter, oil and sauces. Examples, include hot dogs, sausage, beans, lunchmeat, pickled herring and peanut butter.
MILK / MILK PRODUCT	Plain yogurt.	All other milk, milk-based beverages and milk products including cheese.
SOUPS	2 strength broth, low sodium soups.	Avoid all other soups.
DESSERTS & SWEETS	Diluted Jello.	All that are not listed as allowed.
FATS & OIL	NONE.	ALL. Examples include margarine, butter, cooking oils, shortening, mayonnaise and mayonnaise-type salad dressing. Avocado, peanut butter, sour cream, whipped cream, gravy, cream cheese, bacon and sausage.
BEVERAGES	Gatorade, water, oral rehydration solutions. (Examples include Infalyte, Pedialyte and Rehydralyte).	Coffee, tea, decaffeinated coffee, carbonated beverages (soda), cola and cocoa. All not listed as allowed.
CONDIMENTS / MISCELLANEOUS	Salt in moderation.	ALL others including, black pepper, white pepper, red pepper, cayenne, curry powder and chili powder. Other examples include BBQ sauce, steak sauce, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce and combination seasonings containing pepper. Catsup, vinegar and herbs.

Written by Children's Hospital of Orange County, Food and Nutrition Services.

Last modified: 2008-07-17 CHOC
Last reviewed: 2004-02-25 CHOC

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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