Patient education: Bland diet (The Basics)

Why do I need to follow a bland diet? — A bland diet is made up of foods that are easy to digest. These foods can help to rest your stomach and digestive system (figure 1). A bland diet might also be called a "soft diet."

A bland diet can give you more nutrition than a full liquid diet. It might be used when you transition from liquids to a regular diet. A bland diet might help if you have:

●Ulcers

●Heartburn

●Nausea and vomiting

●Diarrhea

●An illness or surgery, especially if it involves your stomach or intestines

Usually, you will only need to eat a bland diet for a short time.

What can I eat and drink on a bland diet? — Foods on a bland diet are mild in flavor, soft, cooked, and low in fat and fiber. Try to eat a variety of foods to give you plenty of energy and protein. Some examples:

●Grains – Breads, crackers, pasta made with white flour. Cooked cereals like grits, cream of rice, and cream of wheat.

●Fruits and vegetables – Fully cooked fruits and vegetables, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables without skins and seeds, fruit and vegetable juices (dilute the fruit juice with water if you have diarrhea), potatoes, applesauce, soup broth, strained cream soups.

●Dairy products – Low-fat or fat-free milk and milk alternatives (such as almond, soy, rice, cashew, or coconut milks), milkshakes, smoothies, custard, pudding, plain ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, yogurt.

●Meat, poultry, seafood, and proteins – Lean, tender meats that are baked, steamed, or grilled with no added fat. Eggs, tofu, smooth nut butters, baked or roasted chicken without the skin.

●Other – Gelatin with or without fruit bits, soups, broths, syrups, gravy, water and ice, decaffeinated coffee and tea, sports drinks, bubbly drinks like seltzer and soft drinks, dietary supplements (sample brand name: Boost, Ensure), protein powder.

What food and drinks should I avoid on a bland diet? — Avoid foods that are spicy, fried, or not cooked. It is important to avoid any foods and drinks that make your symptoms worse. Some examples:

●Grains to avoid – Whole-grain pasta, rice, bread, and crackers. Bran cereal, pastries, donuts, popcorn, granola, fried tortillas.

●Fruits to avoid – Fruits with skin, dried fruits, all kinds of berries, grapes, prunes. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruit.

●Vegetables to avoid – Dried and uncooked vegetables, pickles, sauerkraut, salads, onions, mild and hot peppers. Vegetables that can cause heartburn symptoms like tomatoes. Vegetables that cause gas like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, and Brussels sprouts.

●Dairy products to avoid – Full-fat milk and cheese, strong cheese like bleu and Roquefort, ice cream.

●Meats, poultry, seafood, and proteins to avoid – Fried meats, seasoned and cured meats and fish like bacon and sardines, high-fat cuts of meat, salami, sausage, hot dogs, poultry with skin, dried and canned beans, corned beef.

●Other foods to avoid – Chips, spicy foods, strong seasonings like pepper, garlic, hot sauce, horseradish, added fat, butter, mayonnaise, chocolate, alcohol, drinks with caffeine, peppermint- and spearmint-flavored foods and drinks.

What else should I know? — Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to start the bland diet and how long to follow it.

In addition, you might feel better if you:

●Eat small meals more often during the day.

●Avoid large meals.

●Eat slowly, and chew your food carefully.

●Drink fluids slowly.

●Do not eat for at least 2 hours before going to bed.

●Sit while you eat. Eat in a calm, relaxed place.

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