What Drinks Are Best With the BRAT Diet?

The BRAT diet isn't a weight-management program, it's an acronym for a diet that is recommended for children and adults who are suffering from vomiting, diarrhea or extreme nausea, especially for people with stomach flu. Each letter in BRAT stands for a food that you can eat after you're able to tolerate solid foods: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. Soda crackers can be substituted for the toast. It's just as important to consume the right drinks when you're nauseous or ill enough to need to follow the BRAT diet.

Best Drinks

According to FamilyDoctor.org, you should drink only clear liquids when you're on the BRAT diet. These include water, clear broth, fruit-flavored drink mixes, flat soda that isn't caffeinated and electrolyte beverages, including sports drinks. There are also some commercially available drinks that contain electrolytes combined with banana, apple and brown rice puree, and that are specifically marketed as beverages good for consuming on the BRAT diet, though there isn't any scientific evidence to prove these brands of drinks are any better than other clear liquids at resolving digestive problems.

Drinks to Avoid

If you're vomiting or have diarrhea, avoid drinking milk or any other dairy products. You should also not drink any caffeinated beverage such as coffee, strong tea or soda, alcohol or fruit juice, especially citrus juices which may exacerbate digestive problems. Be aware that the sugar contained in some clear liquids -- fruit punch, flat soda, sports drinks -- can make diarrhea worse. If you drink anything that seems to increase your symptoms, stop consuming that liquid and wait at least 15 minutes before sipping a small amount of water.


At the first sign of vomiting or diarrhea, stop eating solid food and drink only clear liquids, advises FamilyDoctor.org. The University Health Service at the University of Michigan says that you should then start reintroducing fluid by sipping small amounts of water every 15 minutes for at least three hours. Once you can drink water without a resurgence of your symptoms, sip the recommended clear liquids every 15 minutes for at least three hours. If you're not vomiting or having diarrhea, you can begin eating the foods on the BRAT diet.


The BRAT diet isn't meant to be followed for an extended period of time since it doesn't include enough nutrients to be considered a healthy eating plan. It is not intended to cure vomiting and diarrhea; it may only help control your symptoms. If you've been on the BRAT diet for more than 48 hours, or are unable to keep down any solid food or clear liquids for 24 hours, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Seek medical help if, at any time, you have symptoms of dehydration, including extreme fatigue, a dry mouth, sunken eyes and little or no urine.

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