Bland Diet: Making A Lifestyle Change?

Bland Diet
If you need to treat an inflammatory condition of your gastrointestinal system, are

preparing for a test of your digestive tract, or need to follow a specific diet to help reduce
irritation and discomfort, a bland diet may be for you. This type of diet is low in fiber, uses
very little spice, and is soft to eat. All of these reasons make it ideal for those who are
recovering from certain medical conditions and need to eat something easy to digest.
Making a Lifestyle Change?

A bland diet may be a temporary change, or it may require you to alter your lifestyle. Since
there are many options to consider for a bland diet, the menus need not be boring. You
need to keep in mind that the foods should not be fried or prepared with a lot of grease.
The key is to keep it simple and to stick to soft foods that are easy to digest. The end result
will be worth the effort of this diet. Following this plan can help you live free of painful
irritation and inflammation.
As with any diet, you should always check with your primary care doctor to make sure it is
safe for you to follow. Your doctor should be the one to prescribe a bland diet, since he or
she will know if there are any modifications that may be affected.
Which Foods Can I Eat?
Dairy Products
These dairy items are generally considered bland foods.
 Milk – should be low-fat only.
 Yogurt – Low-fat only. This includes flavored and plain yogurt, but keep in mind that
certain fruits can affect digestion.
 Cheese - Eliminate the fattier cheeses. Yellow cheeses tend to contain more fat
than white cheeses.
 Pudding and custard
Protein Foods
While fatty and fried meats are off limits on bland diets, it is still important to eat some
protein. Here are a few types of protein that may work for you:
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 Soy products - This includes tofu, soy yogurts, and soy milk.
 Eggs
 Fish - Many types of fish, like herring, cod and trout, are acceptable on a
bland diet.
 Baked and grilled meats - lean cuts of chicken, pork, and turkey.
 Nut butters - Nut butters, like peanut and almond butters, should be smooth
(not chunky).
Fruits and Vegetables

This particular food group can be tricky for anyone following a bland diet. Here are a
few fruits and vegetables usually considered safe for consumption.
 Cooked vegetables - The cooking process can make many vegetables less
acidic. Carrots, peas, and squash may be included in your diet.
 Canned fruits - Dieticians consider nearly all canned fruits acceptable for
those on a bland diet.
 Fruit and vegetable juices - Juices from celery, carrots and apples are typically
recommended over more acidic juices like orange, tomato and grape juices.
Carbohydrates
Unlike most healthy diets, people trying to eat a bland diet will need to consume less fiber,
not more. Consider incorporating these carbs into your diet:
 White flour breads and pastas - Most diets emphasize whole grain and whole
wheat breads and pastas due to their higher fiber content. However, people who
experience digestive upset will want to avoid these foods.
 Low-sugar cereals - Again, you will want to choose basic cereals with no
added fiber.
 Oatmeal - In some cases, your doctor or nutritionist may suggest oatmeal.
However, this varies based on your condition.
 Potatoes - This includes all colors and types of potatoes.
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Foods to Avoid:
 Fresh fruit and dried fruit.
 Seeds and nuts.
 Whole-grain or bran cereals, breads, crackers or pasta.
 Avoid greasy foods (especially fatty meats) and anything deep fried.
 Do not consume alcohol on a bland diet.
 Pickles, sauerkraut, and spices such as hot pepper and garlic.
 Do not eat raw vegetables. Avoid veggies that make you gassy – such as
cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, green peppers and corn.
 Avoid fatty dairy foods, such as whipped cream or high-fat ice cream.
Sample Bland Menu - Day One
Breakfast
 Scrambled eggs prepared with no fat
 White toast with butter and jelly
 Apple juice
 Herbal tea
Snack
 Strained fruit
 Sponge cake
Lunch
 Turkey and gravy over rice
 Steamed carrots with butter
Dinner
 Baked chicken
 Baked potato with butter
 Peas
 Canned fruit cocktail
Snack
 Milkshake
 Arrowroot cookie
Sample Bland Menu - Day Two
Breakfast
 Oatmeal with canned fruit
 Slice of white toast with butter
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 Skim milk
 Herbal tea
Snack
 Cup of vanilla pudding
 Plain crackers with no seasoning
Lunch
 Grilled chicken breast
 Mashed potatoes
 Sliced canned peaches
Dinner
 Broiled salmon
 White rice
 Steamed asparagus
Snack
 Jello
 Angel food cake
Sample Bland Menu - Day Three
Breakfast
 Poached eggs
 English muffin with butter
 Herbal tea
Snack
 Applesauce
 Unseasoned rice cakes
Lunch
 Tuna sandwich
 Low fat cottage cheese
 Canned peaches
Dinner
 Broiled steak
 Peas
 Baked potato
 Frozen yogurt
Snack
 Banana
 Crackers
Satisfying Snack Ideas

Since the key to success of any diet is to have plenty of options to choose from, the bland
diet can be made more exciting by adding in some satisfying snacks. Here are some
choices to consider:
 White cheese and crackers
 Hardboiled eggs
 Baked apples
 Banana and creamy peanut butter
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 Pretzels
 Gingersnap cookies
 Cheerios
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Bland Diet: Making A Lifestyle Change?

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Bland Diet

If you need to treat an inflammatory condition of your gastrointestinal system, are

Making a Lifestyle Change?

Which Foods Can I Eat?

 Pudding and custard

Fruits and Vegetables

 Fresh fruit and dried fruit.

 Seeds and nuts.

 Whole-grain or bran cereals, breads, crackers or pasta.

 Do not consume alcohol on a bland diet.

 Pickles, sauerkraut, and spices such as hot pepper and garlic.

Sample Bland Menu - Day One

Sample Bland Menu - Day Two

Sample Bland Menu - Day Three

Satisfying Snack Ideas

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