Who Started the BRAT Diet? A History of a Pediatric Staple

December 17, 2025 •

4 min read

First introduced in the mid-20th century, the BRAT diet was a simple and effective dietary regimen developed by pediatricians to treat acute gastrointestinal issues in children. Although once a medical mainstay, its nutritional limitations have since led to a significant shift in expert recommendations.

Quick Summary

The BRAT diet was initially developed by pediatricians in the early 20th century to manage gastrointestinal issues, with its popularity peaking in the mid-century as a standard treatment.

Key Points

Origin is Collective: No single person started the BRAT diet; it was developed by pediatricians in the mid-20th century.
Initial Purpose: The diet was designed as a simple, low-fiber regimen to ease gastrointestinal distress and firm up stools.
Fe del Mundo's Contribution: Pioneering pediatrician Dr. Fe del Mundo is credited with a similar diet involving banana, rice, apple, and tea, though her role in coining the BRAT acronym is debated.
Modern Medical Shift: Experts now consider the BRAT diet nutritionally inadequate for prolonged use and recommend a quicker return to a balanced diet.
Hydration is Key: Current medical advice prioritizes staying hydrated with oral rehydration solutions over strict adherence to the BRAT foods.
Modern Alternatives: A modern bland diet includes the traditional BRAT foods but adds other digestible options like chicken, eggs, and cooked vegetables.

Unraveling the BRAT Diet's Origins

The question of who started the BRAT diet does not lead to a single individual, but rather a collective effort by the medical community. The diet, an acronym for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast, was formally established by pediatricians between the 1920s and 1940s. The goal was to create a simple, low-fiber, and bland food regimen that would be easy for children with upset stomachs, diarrhea, or gastroenteritis to tolerate. These readily available and simple foods were thought to soothe the digestive system, reduce nausea, and help firm up loose stools.

The Rise and Global Influence of the BRAT Diet

Following its development, the BRAT diet gained widespread acceptance and was commonly recommended by doctors throughout the 1960s and beyond, becoming a household name in the process. Its simplicity and the familiarity of the foods made it an appealing and accessible solution for parents dealing with sick children. During this time, the specific foods were believed to help bind stool and provide some calories during recovery, without irritating the digestive tract.

The Role of Dr. Fe del Mundo

While the BRAT diet’s origin is collective, some sources credit the pioneering Filipino pediatrician Dr. Fe del Mundo with its development. Her extensive work in pediatrics, which included founding a major children's hospital in the Philippines, focused heavily on treating infant and child diseases, including diarrhea. The Ramon Magsaysay Award, which she received, mentions her conceptualization of a diet consisting of banana, rice, apple, and tea (sometimes noted as BRAT, with 'tea' replacing 'toast') for treating diarrhea and dehydration. Her contributions helped save countless lives, especially in rural areas, and elevated pediatric healthcare worldwide. Her work may have influenced or coincided with the broader pediatric community's adoption of the BRAT principles, though the precise origin of the 'BRAT' acronym remains tied to the mid-century Western pediatric community.

The Decline and Modern Perspective

By the early 2000s, medical professionals began questioning the BRAT diet's effectiveness due to its nutritional inadequacy. Its low content of protein, fat, fiber, and essential vitamins is not optimal for a speedy and complete recovery, especially in children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends a prompt reintroduction of a balanced, age-appropriate diet, rather than restricting a child to just the four BRAT foods for an extended period. Continuing a regular diet, supplemented with bland foods, is now understood to aid recovery by providing more complete nutrition. The key is focusing on hydration and gradually reintroducing a wider variety of foods as tolerated.

Comparison of Traditional BRAT Diet vs. Modern Bland Diet


Feature	Traditional BRAT Diet (Mid-20th Century)	Modern Bland Diet (Current Recommendations)
Food Focus	Limited to Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast.	A wider array of bland, easily digestible foods.
Nutritional Profile	Critically low in protein, fats, fiber, vitamins.	A more balanced approach, including protein and complex carbs.
Duration	Recommended for 24-48 hours, sometimes longer.	Very short-term (first 24 hours), followed by gradual reintroduction of regular foods.
Primary Goal	Give the gut rest and bind stool.	Stay hydrated and provide more complete nutrition for recovery.
Fluid Recommendations	Emphasis on bland liquids and water.	Strong emphasis on oral rehydration solutions to replace electrolytes.
Source of Guidance	Standard medical practice in mid-century pediatrics.	Informed by modern pediatric research and nutritional science.

Making the Switch: Modern Bland Diet Foods

Instead of the restrictive traditional diet, a modern bland diet focuses on providing gentle, easy-to-digest nutrients for a faster recovery. Here are examples of foods to include and avoid:

Foods to Include:

Carbohydrates: Plain white rice, dry toast, crackers, pretzels, plain pasta, oatmeal, boiled potatoes without the skin.
Fruits and Vegetables: Ripe bananas, applesauce, canned peaches, cooked carrots, and pureed squash.
Proteins: Plain, baked, or grilled chicken breast without the skin, scrambled eggs, and tofu.
Dairy (if tolerated): Plain yogurt (contains probiotics) or low-fat cottage cheese. Note: Dairy is not always recommended for diarrhea.
Fluids: Water, oral rehydration solutions, clear broths, and decaffeinated tea.

Foods to Avoid:

High-Fat Foods: Fried foods, greasy items, and rich, creamy sauces.
Spicy Foods: Anything with chili, hot peppers, or strong seasonings.
High-Fiber Foods: Raw fruits (besides bananas), raw vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals.
Sugary and Caffeinated Beverages: Soda, coffee, and energy drinks can irritate the stomach.
Alcohol: Should be avoided entirely while recovering.

Conclusion: The Evolving Science of Recovery

The story of who started the BRAT diet reveals more than just a list of foods; it highlights the evolution of medical understanding regarding digestive recovery. While early pediatricians devised the diet with good intentions, modern science has shown that a more balanced approach is superior for providing the nutrients needed for healing. Rather than a restrictive acronym, today's bland diet emphasizes hydration and the early reintroduction of a wider variety of digestible foods. The legacy of the BRAT diet lives on, not as a strict rule, but as a historical reference point that paved the way for more nuanced and effective dietary guidance. For more information on the principles of a modern bland diet, see resources from organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Authoritative Source

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Frequently Asked Questions

The BRAT diet was not developed by a single person, but rather by the collective pediatric community in the early to mid-20th century (specifically the 1920s–1940s) as a standard remedy for children with diarrhea and stomach upset.

Yes, some sources credit the Filipino pediatrician Dr. Fe del Mundo with conceptualizing a similar diet using banana, rice, and apple for treating diarrhea, often including tea. Her work influenced pediatric care, though the exact origin of the BRAT acronym is typically attributed to the broader Western pediatric community.

No, most modern health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, no longer recommend the traditional, restrictive BRAT diet. It is considered nutritionally inadequate, especially for prolonged use.

The diet is too restrictive and lacks essential nutrients like protein, healthy fats, fiber, and many vitamins and minerals needed for a full and speedy recovery. Modern guidelines suggest a more balanced approach.

A modern bland diet is recommended, which includes easily digestible foods like the original BRAT foods, but also adds lean proteins (like chicken or eggs), cooked vegetables, and broth to provide more comprehensive nutrition.

Staying hydrated is the most crucial factor, especially when experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. Oral rehydration solutions are often more effective than just water or bland liquids in replacing lost electrolytes.

While the BRAT diet was initially developed for children, adults sometimes used it as well. However, modern advice is the same for adults as it is for children: focus on hydration and transition back to a balanced diet quickly to avoid nutritional deficiencies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests transitioning back to a normal, age-appropriate diet within 24 hours of feeling ill. The bland foods can be gradually supplemented with a wider variety of foods as tolerated.