Why You Can't Put Butter on Toast on the BRAT Diet

October 12, 2025 •

3 min read

Experts often recommend a bland, low-fat diet for temporary relief from an upset stomach. When following the restrictive BRAT diet, which is specifically designed for digestive distress, a common question arises: Can I put butter on toast on the BRAT diet? The simple answer is no.

Quick Summary

Butter is not recommended on the BRAT diet due to its high fat and dairy content, which can irritate a sensitive digestive system. The diet focuses on bland, low-fat foods to allow the gut to rest and heal from illness.

Key Points

Avoid Butter on the BRAT Diet: Butter is a high-fat dairy product and is not recommended on the BRAT diet as it can irritate a sensitive digestive system and worsen symptoms like diarrhea.
Embrace Plain Toast: For digestive relief, plain white toast is the recommended option, as it is low in fiber and easy for the stomach to digest.
Choose Low-Fat Alternatives: Instead of butter, consider adding a thin layer of jam, honey, or mashed banana to your toast, but do so in moderation to avoid excessive sugar.
Recognize Temporary Dairy Sensitivity: It is common to experience temporary lactose intolerance during a stomach bug, so avoiding dairy products like butter is wise until symptoms resolve.
Gradually Expand Your Diet: The BRAT diet is very restrictive and should only be followed for a short time. As you feel better, gradually reintroduce nutrient-dense foods like cooked vegetables and lean proteins.
Prioritize Hydration: While focusing on bland foods, it is crucial to stay hydrated by drinking water, clear broths, and electrolyte-enhanced drinks to replace lost fluids.

Understanding the BRAT Diet's Purpose

The BRAT diet is an acronym for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. It is a temporary, bland eating plan traditionally used for those experiencing gastrointestinal distress, such as diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. The premise is that these foods are gentle on the digestive system and can help firm up stools. The diet is intentionally restrictive and low in fiber, fat, and seasonings, as these are all potential irritants for an inflamed gut. While the diet is no longer widely recommended by physicians for extended use, especially in children, its core principles of eating bland, binding foods remain valid for short-term relief.

The Reason Behind Avoiding Butter

While butter contains certain beneficial short-chain fatty acids like butyrate that support gut health during normal function, it is best avoided during an acute digestive upset. There are several key reasons why:

High Fat Content: Fat is one of the hardest macronutrients for the body to digest. It requires more work from the digestive system, including the production of bile and specific enzymes to break it down. When the gut is already irritated, introducing a high-fat food like butter can aggravate symptoms and worsen diarrhea.
Dairy Sensitivity: Butter is a dairy product, and during a bout of diarrhea, many people experience a temporary intolerance to lactose. The body produces less lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose, which can lead to bloating, cramps, and further diarrhea.
Digestive Irritation: The goal of the BRAT diet is to give the digestive system a rest. Introducing a complex food like butter goes against this principle. Bland, simple foods are preferred because they pose the lowest risk of irritating the sensitive intestinal lining.

What to Put on Your Toast Instead

To keep your toast BRAT-compliant and aid recovery, you should consume it plain. If you find plain toast unappealing, there are a few simple additions that are typically considered safe for a bland diet:

A light layer of jam or honey: Some find a small amount tolerable, though you should avoid excessive sugar, which can upset the stomach.
Mashed banana: A thin layer of mashed banana can add flavor and extra binding pectin to help firm up stool.
Applesauce: Like bananas, applesauce is part of the BRAT acronym and contains pectin.

The Role of Bland Foods and Gradual Expansion

Eating foods that are low in fiber and easy to digest helps to settle the stomach and promote healing. The binding properties of bananas, rice, and applesauce can be particularly effective in managing diarrhea. After a day or two of following the restrictive BRAT diet and as symptoms subside, it's important to start gradually reintroducing other nutritious foods to avoid nutrient deficiencies.

Examples of Foods to Gradually Reintroduce:

Lean protein: Plain, baked, or boiled chicken or eggs.
Cooked vegetables: Bland, cooked vegetables like carrots and green beans.
Low-fat dairy: Plain yogurt with live cultures (probiotics) can be beneficial for restoring healthy gut bacteria.

Buttered Toast vs. Plain Toast on the BRAT Diet


Feature	Buttered Toast (Not Recommended)	Plain Toast (Recommended)
Fat Content	High; can be difficult to digest.	Low; requires minimal digestive effort.
Digestive Impact	Can aggravate symptoms like diarrhea.	Gentle on the stomach; helps absorb acids.
Lactose Content	Contains dairy, which can be temporarily problematic.	None. Suitable for those with temporary lactose sensitivity.
Nutritional Value	Added fat and calories; potential for irritation.	Provides simple carbohydrates for energy without irritating the gut.
Risk of Aggravation	Higher risk of worsening digestive distress.	Minimal risk; supports healing.

Conclusion

When dealing with an upset stomach or diarrhea, the decision to avoid butter on your toast is a key part of following the BRAT diet's principles. The high fat and dairy content of butter are potential irritants that can set back your recovery. Sticking to plain toast or adding a small amount of jam, honey, or mashed banana provides the gentle, low-fat nutrition your digestive system needs to rest and heal. As your symptoms improve, you can begin to expand your diet with other bland, easily digestible foods to ensure you get more comprehensive nutrition. Always listen to your body, and consult a healthcare provider for persistent or severe symptoms.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, especially during illness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Butter is high in fat, which is more difficult for the body to digest than carbohydrates or proteins. During a stomach ache, when the digestive system is already sensitive, this can cause irritation and make symptoms like diarrhea worse.

No, margarine should also be avoided on the BRAT diet. Like butter, it is a high-fat food that can aggravate an upset stomach and hinder the recovery process.

If you want to add something to plain toast, opt for a small amount of low-sugar jam or honey, or a thin layer of mashed banana. These are less likely to irritate your digestive system than butter or other fatty spreads.

While the BRAT diet is no longer widely recommended by doctors for extended use due to its lack of nutrients, its core principle of consuming bland, binding foods for short-term gastrointestinal relief is still considered a valid approach.

The BRAT diet should only be followed for a short period, typically one to three days, until your symptoms improve. It is important to gradually reintroduce other foods to ensure you are getting adequate nutrition.

During a stomach bug, it's best to avoid full-fat dairy products like butter, cheese, and milk. However, some people may tolerate plain yogurt with live probiotics, which can help restore healthy gut bacteria.

After the initial BRAT diet phase, you can start adding foods like plain boiled or baked chicken, cooked carrots or green beans, and plain noodles or oatmeal. Begin with small portions and monitor how your body reacts.

For general health, some studies suggest butter, especially from grass-fed cows, contains beneficial compounds like butyrate and CLA. However, during acute GI distress, any type of butter is best avoided due to its high fat content.