Eggs are the perfect food on a bland diet because you can enjoy them however you'd like—fried, scrambled, boiled, or broiled. However, be careful not to over-season them or add ingredients such as added fats or hard to digest cheeses. Also, you may want to limit the amount of eggs you consume to approximately six per week due to their high choloesterol content.
Applesauce is usually low in both acidity and fiber, which makes it the perfect food for a bland diet. In addition to being easier to digest, it is a versatile food and can be used to satisfy sweets cravings or as an addition to a meal. Sugar-free applesauce is even easier to digest and it has the added benefit of helping to control blood sugars if you're a diabetic.
Do your gastrointestinal issues include frequent acid reflux? Well then, we have the fish for you! Low in fat, mild, soft, easy to digest, and not to mention yummy—what's not to love about salmon? An extra benefit of adding salmon to your bland diet is all the omega-3 fatty acids you'll get to benefit your body and brain!
White bread is made with refined white flour, is full of complex carbohydrates and grains, and is easy for the body to digest and break down while not irritating the digestive tract. Although it is recommended that white bread be eaten without adding fats such as butter or margarine, you can always add some canned fruit or applesauce to some dry toast to make it tastier.
We didn't know if you knew this yet, but—Bananas are the super fruit of all fruits! They are chock full of potassium and other healthy nutrients but they're also low in fiber and gentle enough on your digestive tract to be safe to eat on a bland diet. Plus - they're totally tasty and can go a long way when you may have a craving for sweets.
Lean proteins are a staple of the bland diet, and boneless, skinless chicken breast tops the list. Because it contains very little fat, your stomach doesn't have to work overtime to break it down, reducing the risk of cramping or acid reflux. Just be sure to bake, boil, or poach it instead of frying it, and keep the seasonings restricted to just a tiny pinch of salt.
Broth is kind of a superfood, too. It is one of the most often recommended foods made to those who suffer from gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. It doesn't matter if it's chicken or beef—it will help you to regain energy by replenishing your electrolytes. It is also one of the easiest things to digest after a stomach illness. Oh! And for being such a bland food, it has lots of great flavor!
Although rice has next to no nutritional value besides carbohydrates, it is one of the most gentle foods for your body to digest. Its soft and simple texture will not irritate your digestive tract or cause further gastrointestinal issues. In addition, it can be added to many other items on the bland diet thanks to it's mild flavor.
When you’re craving fresh fruit but need to keep things gentle on your GI tract, melons like watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are fantastic choices. They are exceptionally high in water content, which helps keep you hydrated if you've been losing fluids. Even better, they are naturally low in fiber and have a high pH level, making them safely non-acidic and incredibly easy for your body to process.
Just like chicken, lean turkey breast is an excellent way to get high-quality protein into your recovery diet without introducing heavy, irritating fats. It's soft, mild, and highly versatile. Cooking up some plain ground turkey or slicing up some baked turkey breast is a great way to stay full and satisfied while giving your digestive system a much-needed break.
While heavy or aged cheeses are a big no-no on a bland diet, low-fat cottage cheese is a major exception. It has a soft, smooth texture that is completely non-irritating to the stomach lining. Plus, it serves up a healthy dose of protein and calcium, making it a wonderful, cooling snack or a quick addition to your morning dry white toast.
