A child with gastroenteritis is being discharged with BRAT diet instructions. Which set of foods is appropriate for the BRAT diet?

A child with gastroenteritis is being discharged with BRAT diet instructions. Which set of foods is appropriate for the BRAT diet?

• A. Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast
• B. Raisins, Bananas, Apples, Toast
• C. Bananas, Rice, Tea, Ice Cream
• D. Rice, Toast, Apples, Chicken Noodle Soup

Answer: (A)

BRAT diet uses bland, low-fiber foods that are easy to digest to soothe the gut after gastroenteritis. The best set fits this pattern because it combines items that are gentle on the stomach and provide modest nutrition: bananas help replace potassium, rice and toast supply plain, easy-to-digest starches, and applesauce adds a gentle source of pectin. The other options mix in foods that aren’t typically part of BRAT—dried fruit and raw apples add fiber, ice cream brings dairy and fat, tea can be irritating or caffeinated, and chicken noodle soup introduces more variety than the simple BRAT list. As symptoms improve, gradually return to a normal diet while staying hydrated.