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Bland diet

Show Alternative Names
Heartburn - bland diet
Nausea - bland diet
Peptic ulcer - bland diet

A bland diet can be used alongside lifestyle changes to help address the symptoms of ulcers, heartburn, GERD, nausea, and vomiting. You may also need a bland diet after stomach or intestinal surgery.

Self-care

A bland diet includes foods that are soft, not spicy, and low in fiber. If you are on a bland diet, you should not eat spicy, fried, or raw foods. You should not drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine in them.

Your health care provider will tell you when you can start eating other foods again. It is still important to eat healthy foods when you add foods back in. Your provider can refer you to a dietitian or nutritionist to help you plan a healthy diet.

Foods you can eat

Foods you can eat on a bland diet include:

  • Milk and other dairy products, low-fat or fat-free only
  • Cooked, canned, or frozen vegetables
  • Potatoes
  • Canned fruit as well as apple sauce, bananas, and melons
  • Fruit juices and vegetable juices (some people, such as those with GERD, may want to avoid citrus and tomato)
  • Breads, crackers, and pasta made with refined white flour
  • Refined, hot cereals, such as Cream of Wheat (farina cereal)
  • Lean, tender meats, such as poultry, whitefish, and shellfish that are steamed, baked, or grilled with no added fat
  • Creamy peanut butter
  • Pudding and custard
  • Graham crackers and vanilla wafers
  • Popsicles and gelatin
  • Eggs
  • Tofu
  • Soup, especially broth
  • Weak tea

Foods to Avoid

Some foods you may want to avoid when you are on a bland diet are:

  • Fatty dairy foods, such as whipped cream or high-fat ice cream
  • Strong cheeses, such as bleu or Roquefort cheese
  • Raw vegetables and salads
  • Vegetables that may make you gassy, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower
  • Dried fruits
  • Whole-grain or bran cereals
  • Whole-grain breads, crackers, or pasta
  • Pickles, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods
  • Spices and strong seasonings, such as hot pepper and garlic
  • Foods with a lot of sugar in them
  • Seeds and nuts
  • Highly seasoned, cured or smoked meats and fish
  • Tough, fibrous meats
  • Fried or greasy foods
  • Alcoholic beverages and drinks with caffeine in them

You should also avoid medicine that contains aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).

Other Diet Tips

When you are on a bland diet:

  • Eat small meals and eat more often during the day.
  • Chew your food slowly and thoroughly.
  • Stop smoking cigarettes, if you smoke.
  • Do not eat within 2 hours of your bedtime.
  • Do not eat foods that are on the "foods to avoid" list, especially if you do not feel well after eating them.
  • Drink fluids slowly.
Review Date: 5/4/2024

Reviewed By

Stefania Manetti, RDN, CDCES, RYT200, My Vita Sana LLC - Nourish and heal through food, San Jose, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

References

Moldwin RM, Hanno PM. Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and related disorders. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 57.

Pruitt CM. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. In: Olympia RP, O'Neill RM, Silvis ML, eds. Urgent Care Medicine Secrets. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 20.

Thompson M, Noel MB. Nutrition and family medicine. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 37.

Disclaimer

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Animation

Gastroesophageal reflux disease - Illustration Thumbnail

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

A band of muscle fibers, the lower esophageal sphincter, closes off the esophagus from the stomach. If the sphincter does not close properly, food and liquid can move backward into the esophagus and cause heartburn and other symptoms known as gastroesophageal disease (GERD). To alleviate symptoms, dietary changes and medications are prescribed. For a patient who has persistent symptoms despite medical treatment, an anti-reflux operation may be an option.

Illustration

Sources of fiber - Illustration Thumbnail

Sources of fiber

The addition of fiber promotes regularity. Vegetables, fresh or dried fruits, and whole grains are excellent sources of fiber. To reap the benefits of fiber, it is very important to drink plenty of fluids.

Illustration

 
Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Animation

 
Gastroesophageal reflux disease - Illustration Thumbnail

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

A band of muscle fibers, the lower esophageal sphincter, closes off the esophagus from the stomach. If the sphincter does not close properly, food and liquid can move backward into the esophagus and cause heartburn and other symptoms known as gastroesophageal disease (GERD). To alleviate symptoms, dietary changes and medications are prescribed. For a patient who has persistent symptoms despite medical treatment, an anti-reflux operation may be an option.

Illustration

Sources of fiber - Illustration Thumbnail

Sources of fiber

The addition of fiber promotes regularity. Vegetables, fresh or dried fruits, and whole grains are excellent sources of fiber. To reap the benefits of fiber, it is very important to drink plenty of fluids.

Illustration

 
 
 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease - Animation

Do you feel a burning in your chest not long after you eat or lie down? If so, you may have Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.

When we swallow food, it travels down our esophagus into the stomach, where it's greeted by a rush of Hydrochloric acid in the stomach to begin digestion. This acid is so powerful, it could eat the paint right off your car!

Fortunately, there's a band of muscle between the stomach and the esophagus - called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or L-E-S, that clamps down to prevent the stomach contents from moving or "refluxing" upward and burning the lining of the esophagus. If that band of muscle does not adequately clamp down, this backwash causes the irritation and burning that's known as heartburn or GERD.

Maintaining good tight L-E-S muscle tone is the key to preventing this condition.

Causes of GERD include: being overweight, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol. Certain foods, like chocolate and peppermint and if you're a woman, pregnancy can bring on GERD

To determine if you have GERD, your doctor may request an upper endoscopy exam to look into your esophagus and stomach to diagnose reflux. Other tests can measure the acid and amount of pressure in your esophagus, or if you have blood in your stool.

If you do have GERD, lifestyle changes can help. First, avoid foods that cause problems for you and avoid eating large meals. If you're a little on the heavy side, try to lose some weight. Since most GERD symptoms are experienced lying down in bed, let gravity help. Elevating the head of your bed 4-6 inches using blocks of wood may help.

If symptoms continue, see your doctor or a Gastroenterologist for evaluation and an upper endoscopy exam. Your doctor may suggest you take over-the-counter antacids or may prescribe stronger medications.

Call your doctor if you are bleeding, feel like you are choking, have trouble-swallowing, or experience sudden weight loss.

The good news is most people who have GERD do not need surgery. For the worst cases, surgeons may perform a laparoscopic procedure to tighten a weak L-E-S muscle.

If you have occasional heartburn, antacid tablets can be used as needed. However! If you're having heartburn more than 3-4 times a week, see your doctor & take the prescribed medication to prevent this condition.

 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease - Animation

Do you feel a burning in your chest not long after you eat or lie down? If so, you may have Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.

When we swallow food, it travels down our esophagus into the stomach, where it's greeted by a rush of Hydrochloric acid in the stomach to begin digestion. This acid is so powerful, it could eat the paint right off your car!

Fortunately, there's a band of muscle between the stomach and the esophagus - called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or L-E-S, that clamps down to prevent the stomach contents from moving or "refluxing" upward and burning the lining of the esophagus. If that band of muscle does not adequately clamp down, this backwash causes the irritation and burning that's known as heartburn or GERD.

Maintaining good tight L-E-S muscle tone is the key to preventing this condition.

Causes of GERD include: being overweight, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol. Certain foods, like chocolate and peppermint and if you're a woman, pregnancy can bring on GERD

To determine if you have GERD, your doctor may request an upper endoscopy exam to look into your esophagus and stomach to diagnose reflux. Other tests can measure the acid and amount of pressure in your esophagus, or if you have blood in your stool.

If you do have GERD, lifestyle changes can help. First, avoid foods that cause problems for you and avoid eating large meals. If you're a little on the heavy side, try to lose some weight. Since most GERD symptoms are experienced lying down in bed, let gravity help. Elevating the head of your bed 4-6 inches using blocks of wood may help.

If symptoms continue, see your doctor or a Gastroenterologist for evaluation and an upper endoscopy exam. Your doctor may suggest you take over-the-counter antacids or may prescribe stronger medications.

Call your doctor if you are bleeding, feel like you are choking, have trouble-swallowing, or experience sudden weight loss.

The good news is most people who have GERD do not need surgery. For the worst cases, surgeons may perform a laparoscopic procedure to tighten a weak L-E-S muscle.

If you have occasional heartburn, antacid tablets can be used as needed. However! If you're having heartburn more than 3-4 times a week, see your doctor & take the prescribed medication to prevent this condition.

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
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