Foods to Eat on a Bland Diet If you have problems with ulcers or your gallbladder, then dietary irritants such as fat and spices can set back the healing process. Bland diet foods for ulcers and bland diet foods for the gallbladder are therefore required, respectively. This type of diet was developed to eliminate foods that increase intestinal activity (such as gas and bowel movements), which may irritate sensitive gastrointestinal tissue. One interesting and somewhat counterintuitive thing to note about this diet is its lack of fiber. Most healthy diet plans will, to some extent, stress whole grains and an increase in fiber, since it’s commonly lacking in the Standard American Diet, but the point of a bland diet is that the foods listed are as easy to digest as possible. Below is a bland diet menu. Dairy Low-fat milk, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese Ice cream, in small amounts (about half a cup); no nuts Cottage cheese; cheddar cheese, and soft, mild American cheese Vegetables Cooked, canned, or frozen vegetables Asparagus, baby okra, beets, carrots, celery, eggplant, green beans, mushrooms, peas, pimento, spinach, summer squash, tomatoes, and wax beans Fruit Fruit and vegetable juices, but avoid tomato juice (and blends containing tomato juice), as they might irritate. Also avoid other acidic juices such as orange and grape. Cooked or canned fruit with the skin and seeds removed. Applesauce, canned peaches, and pears are good options. Ripe bananas Citrus (no membrane) Melon (no seeds, and only if you can tolerate it) Grains Refined white flour products: breads, crackers, pasta, etc. Cream of wheat Meat/Poultry/Fish Lean cuts of meat: beef, ham (but make sure it’s very tender) lamb, liver, pork, veal. These can be prepared by baking, steaming, broiling, roasting—any cooking method that keeps the meats soft and easy to digest. Chicken, turkey Whitefish and shellfish, but prepare by steaming, baking, or grilling. Small amounts of butter are permitted, but don’t use oil, as oil will irritate the stomach. Eggs (but not fried) Other Creamy peanut butter Pudding and custard Tofu Broth soup Weak black tea Salt Sugar Onion powder Olives Vinegar Herbs Butter, in small amounts Foods to Avoid on a Bland Diet Dairy High-fat dairy products Strong, fermented cheeses Whipped cream High-fat ice cream Vegetables All raw vegetables In particular, avoid these vegetables: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, green peppers, legumes, lima beans, kohlrabi, onions, parsnips, radishes, raw tomatoes, rutabagas, turnips, and turnip greens. Fruit Dried fruit Fresh fruit Grains Anything that is high in fiber: breads, cereals, crackers, etc. Meat/Poultry/Fish Seasoned, cured, or smoked meats and fish Fried meats Other Caffeine Strong black teas Chocolate and cocoa Pickled foods Spicy foods Popcorn Potato chips The foods listed above also count as bland diet foods for diarrhea, so when suffering from bouts of this gastrointestinal issue, try implementing this diet for a few days until your stomach settles. Tips While Following a Bland Diet When on a bland foods diet, there are a few other things to observe other than what you put in your belly. The idea behind this diet is to allow the stomach and intestines to heal and get strong again. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the diet and recovery: Eat smaller meals but more frequently throughout the day. This is easier for your digestive system to handle. Chew your food slowly and thoroughly. This makes it easier for your digestive system to process food. Do not smoke. Smoking is known to irritate the bowels. Avoid eating anything two hours before bed. After the diet ends, if you don’t feel well after eating a certain food, stop eating it and try again a couple of months later. When you drink, do it slowly. Do not gulp or chug. Avoid all alcohol. Remember, soft foods are your best bet.
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