Can You Have Butter on Toast with the BRAT Diet?

Overview of the BRAT Diet for Digestive Issues

The BRAT diet is often recommended for those suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion and other temporary digestive problems. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast - starchy and binding foods that are easy on an upset stomach.

During a bout of stomach flu, food poisoning or flare up of IBS, you may wonder if adding something richer like butter is allowed when following the BRAT diet. Heres what the experts say about butter and appropriate BRAT food substitutes.

Purpose of the Bland BRAT Diet

The purpose of BRAT and other bland diets is to temporarily give your gastrointestinal tract a rest. This allows inflamed tissue to heal while staying nourished.

Symptoms these diets aim to manage include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Acid reflux
• Heartburn
• Loss of appetite

You typically want to stick to a bland BRAT type diet for 3-5 days maximum, slowly reintroducing regular foods over several weeks as symptoms abate.

Is Butter Allowed on the BRAT Diet?

Most medical professionals recommend avoiding all added fats, oils and butter when following BRAT guidelines strictly. The reason is that fats can exacerbate nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea.

Foods high in fat like fried dishes, whole dairy products, fatty cuts of meat, and anything heavy, creamy or greasy tend to delay gastric emptying. This forces the stomach to work harder when its already irritated.

So while toast is considered part of the BRAT diet friendly foods list, adding pats of butter on top is generally not advised.

Best and Worst Foods to Eat With an Upset Stomach

When your GI system needs a break, focus on eating starchy, low fiber foods cooked to a soft texture. Heres an overview of some of the best and worst foods to help settle an upset stomach.

Best Foods for an Upset Stomach

Choose plain, mild tasting options that are high in carbohydrates but low in fiber and fat. Some top choices include:

• White rice or rice cereal
• Refined breads, crackers, bagels or pasta
• Hot cereals - cream of wheat, oatmeal, grits
• Boiled or mashed potatoes
• Clear broth or chicken noodle soup
• Applesauce or bananas
• Hard boiled, scrambled, or poached eggs
• Flavored gelatin
• Diluted fruit juices
• Weak tea with honey
• Flat soda or ginger ale

A few tips: avoid overly sugary items which can make diarrhea worse. Low lactose dairy like yogurt or kefir may be tolerated but limit to 1 cup servings per day.

Foods to Avoid with an Upset Stomach

On the other hand, steer clear of anything spicy, fried, fatty, or with skins, seeds or tough textures. Examples of what not to eat include:

• Greasy or fried meat and fast food
• Rich gravies or cream based sauces
• Buttery, oily or deep fried veggies
• Tough meats with gristle
• High fiber whole grains
• Bran cereals or granola
• Gas producing cruciferous veggies
• Carbonated drinks
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Salty snacks like chips or pretzels
• Spicy seasonings and condiments
• Acidic citrus fruits and juices
• Nuts, seeds, corn and popcorn
• Raw veggies and salads

Safe Alternatives to Butter and Oils on the BRAT Diet

Butter, oils and other fats can delay gastric emptying and shouldnt be included in the early stages of GI relief diets. However, toast and other acceptable starchy foods may seem overly dry without some sort of spread.

Here are some BRAT diet friendly alternatives you can safely use instead of butter or margarine:

Hummus

Plain hummus makes an excellent substitute for butter or margarine on toast, crackers or soft bread. Chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice and tahini give it a smooth, spreadable texture.

However, those with severe diarrhea or nausea may want to avoid bean dips until symptoms improve further.

Mashed Avocado

Mashed or pureed avocado is naturally creamy and soft enough to spread. Use it to top bland toast, rolls, bagels or english muffins.

Just avoid chunkier slices or whole pieces of avocado initially since the fatty, fibrous texture could be hard to digest.

Applesauce

Unsweetened applesauce can also work nicely as an alternative to butter or margarine, giving a subtly sweet creaminess. Spoon it over pancakes, toast, oatmeal or other gentle BRAT foods.

Nut Butters

Almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter spreads provide smooth texture and nutrients. However they are higher in fat, so limit to a thin smear.

Those with diverticulitis flares or severe nausea should wait until symptoms resolve further before trying nut butters.

Banana Slices

Slices of ripe banana can substitute for butter to spread on toast if you mash them gently with a fork first. The natural sweetness and moisture enhances the bland whole grain.

Just avoid any seeds or strings when preparing banana to top BRAT diet foods.

Fat Free Cream Cheese

Small amounts of reduced fat cream cheese, such as 5-6 grams per slice make an option for those who still tolerate soft dairy. Use sparingly as even the lower fat version provides calories without nutrition.

Sample Menu for the BRAT Diet

Wondering what an entire day of BRAT diet friendly meals looks like? Heres a sample menu to help manage nausea, diarrhea and other GI issues:

Breakfast

• 1 serving cream of wheat or oatmeal
• 1 poached or scrambled egg
• Decaffeinated tea

Lunch

• Chicken noodle soup
• Saltine crackers
• 1 banana
• Ginger ale

Dinner

• White rice
• 1 cup plain mashed potatoes
• Boiled carrots
• 1 slice toast with mashed avocado
• Chamomile tea

Snacks

• Rice cakes
• Applesauce
• Jell-O
• Flat Sprite or diluted fruit juice

Use BRAT principles to guide all food choices - bland, low residue options cooked to a soft texture. Avoid problem foods like raw produce, fatty fried fare, and anything spicy until recovered.

Transitioning Off the BRAT Diet

The BRAT diet isnt intended for long term use. As nausea, diarrhea and inflammation subside, you can slowly add back regular foods every few days.

However, its best to advance carefully to ensure symptoms dont recur. Follow these tips:

• Reintroduce one new food every 2-3 days
• Chew all foods extremely well
• Limit portion sizes of new items
• Avoid problem foods that seem to trigger symptoms
• Keep a food symptom journal

Use these gradual BRAT diet exit strategies and pay attention to reactions. This allows you to pinpoint any newly bothersome items and return to gentler foods if problems flare up again.

Ask a Doctor Before Long Term Use

If nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea persist more than 5 consecutive days without improvement, consult your physician. Ongoing lack of nutrition can result in dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and unintended weight loss.

Your doctor can provide IV fluids, anti-nausea medications, or further testing to diagnose any underlying condition. Seek emergency care if you notice blood in vomit, stools or experience fainting.

In most cases, sticks to the BRAT diet for a few days helps resolve temporary stomach bugs and minor viral gastroenteritis. But dont attempt long term management of chronic digestive conditions without guidance.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.