INTRODUCTION
Diarrhoea is the passage of stools with increased frequency, fluidity or volume as compared to the usual. The BRAT diet is blend, low-fiber and low-fat which helps to restore the nutrients that have been lost due to Diarrhea, and is useful in this condition. But high-fiber diets, spicy foods, milk, artificial sweeteners, raw vegetables and fried foods may over stimulate the digestive system and worsen the situation.
DAILY DIET SCHEDULE
EARLY-MORNING
A glass of lukewarm water
BREAKFAST
Veg Semolina (Veg upma) / Broken wheat porridge (Veg Dalia) / Veg Vermicelli (Sewian) / Veg poha (Rice flakes)
MID-MORNING
Coconut water / Lemon water / Banana with curd
LUNCH
Veg khichri / Veg pulao / Boiled rice / Vegetable + Dal + Curd
EVENING
Herbal tea / Green tea / Banana with curd
PRE-DINNER
Soup (Home-made) / Coconut water
DINNER
Veg khichri / Boiled rice / Dal
DIET INSTRUCTIONS
CEREALS
TO BE CONSUMED
Wheat flour, White breads, White rice
TO BE AVOIDED
Whole grains such as Barley, Bran, Oatmeal, Soya flour, Corn, Quinoa
PULSES
TO BE CONSUMED
Yellow lentil
TO BE AVOIDED
Whole pulses, Soybean and its products, Dried and frozen pulses
VEGETABLES
TO BE CONSUMED
Asparagus, Carrot, Pumpkin, Squash, Lemons, Potatoes, Onion, Zucchini, Ridge gourd, Ash gourd, Round gourd
TO BE AVOIDED
Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, peas, peppers, radishes, and spinach, Sweet potatoes, Peas, Artichokes, Lettuce, Green leafy vegetable, Collard greens, Okra, Dandelion greens, Mustard greens, Mushroom, Beet greens, Tomato, Cucumber, Fenugreek leaves, Raw vegetables, Red and Green chili, Celery, Coconut, Frozen vegetables, Green beans, Parsley
FRUITS
TO BE CONSUMED
Banana with curd, Cooked Apple
TO BE AVOIDED
All canned and packaged fruits, Strawberries, Pineapples, Litchi, Muskmelon, Watermelon, Apricots, Dates, Prunes, grapes, Papaya, Oranges, Figs, Coconut, Guava, Pear, Blueberries, Mango, Lime, Avocado, Raspberries, and Peaches.
DAIRY PRODUCTS
TO BE CONSUMED
Low-fat curd, low fat yoghurt (mix with mashed banana)
TO BE AVOIDED
Whole milk and cream, Full-fat yoghurt, Cream cheese, Condensed milk, Skimmed milk, Soya milk, Cottage cheese, Tofu
FLESH FOODS
TO BE CONSUMED
Nil
TO BE AVOIDED
Meat (can be taken in limited amount) Fish fried, prawns, lobster, crab, lean beef, pork, lamb, ham, turkey, rabbit, Egg yolk, fish roe, mutton, duck, goose, meat pies, visible fat on meat, chicken skin, liver, kidney, chest.
SPICES
TO BE CONSUMED
Fennel, Turmeric, Mint, Cumin, Coriander, Limited salt, Black pepper
TO BE AVOIDED
Red chili powder
FATS
TO BE CONSUMED
Cow ghee, Mustard oil, Olive oil, Rice bran oil
TO BE AVOIDED
Unsaturated fats, Cream, Palm oil, Coconut oil, Butter
NUTS AND DRY FRUITS
TO BE CONSUMED
Nil
TO BE AVOIDED
All nuts
DRINKS
TO BE CONSUMED
Homemade soup, Lime water, Lemon water
TO BE AVOIDED
Milk, Soya milk, Alcohol, Carbonated beverages, canned soup, packaged soup and canned fruit juices, Caffeinated drinks
OTHER FOODS
TO BE CONSUMED
Homemade only, Jaggery
TO BE AVOIDED
All bakery and processed products, Sauces, Fruit jellies, Jams, Mayonnaise, Ice-cream, Cream soups, Dark chocolate, Butter scotch, Coconut bar, Chutneys, Pickles, Junk food, Deep fried foods, Spicy foods.
HOME REMEDIES
HERBAL TEA
Boil ½ tsp each of fennel, coriander, cumin in 2 cups of water till it’s reduced to 1 cup.
CHAMOMILE TEA
Chamomile tea by steeping a teaspoon of chamomile flowers and one teaspoon of peppermint leaves in a cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Drink this tea after straining it at least thrice a day.
BANANA
Chop 1 or 2 ripe bananas into small pieces and add one teaspoon of warm ghee and a pinch of cardamom and nutmeg.
COOKED RICE WITH YOGURT
Take about a cupful of cooked basmati rice, add 1 tablespoon of ghee and 3 or 4 tablespoons of plain fresh yogurt, mix together, and eat.
BANANA WITH CURD
Chop 1 or 2 ripe bananas into small pieces and add fresh curd.