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Bland Diet

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW  

If you have ulcers, digestive issues, nausea, vomiting, or excessive gas, your doctor may recommend following a bland diet. This type of diet consists of soft foods that are mildly seasoned and low in fiber. It is also often recommended after stomach or intestinal surgery to aid in healing and minimize irritation.

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WHAT YOU SHOULD DO  

Please adhere to the list of recommended and restricted foods provided below. Continue following this plan until your doctor advises you to reintroduce other foods. To maintain a balanced diet, try to include the suggested number of servings from each food group every day.

Loaves of Breads

BREADS & STARCHES 

Eat 6 to 8 servings a day from this list:  

  • 1/2 cup cream of wheat 

  • 1/2 cup cooked white rice

  • 1/2 cup mashed potatoes  

  • 1/2 cup cooked pasta, noodles, or macaroni 

  • 6 small (2-inch square) saltine crackers

  • 1 slice of white bread

  • 1 medium-sized (2-1/2 inch) roll or bun 

Do not eat these foods:  

  • Barbecue and taco chips 

  • Bran and granola cereals  

  • Breads and rolls with nuts, seeds, or bran  

  • Corn chips  

  • Hard crackers, such as Ry-Krisp® 

  • Popcorn  

  • Potato chips, french fries, and fried potatoes 

  • ​Whole-grain breads and rolls  

Citrus Fruits Juice

FRUITS  

Eat 2 to 3 servings a day from this list:  

  • 11/2 cup applesauce

  • 1/2 cup canned or cooked fruits without skins or seeds

  • ​1/2 cup mild juices, such as
    apple, grape, and pear

Do not eat or drink these foods:  

  • Berries with seeds, such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries 

  • Cranberry, orange, pineapple, and grapefruit juice 

  • Lemonade  

  • Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, 

Green Vegetables Juice
VEGETABLES  

Eat 2 to 3 servings a day from this list 

  • 1/2 cup cooked or mashed vegetables without stems and seeds  

  • 1/2 cup carrots 

  • 1/2 cup green beans 

  • 1/2 cup of onions and celery in soups 

  • 1/2 cup summer squash or zucchini

  • 1/2 cup winter squash 

Do not eat these foods:

  • Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and other vegetables that cause gas 

  • Raw vegetables 

  • Mild or hot peppers  

  • Sauerkraut and pickled vegetables 

  • Sauerkraut and pickled vegetables 

  • ​Vegetable juice  

Milk Splash
MILK & DAIRY  

Eat 2 to 4 servings a day from this list 

  • 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup cottage cheese  

  • 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup cottage cheese  

  • 1/2 cup ice cream or ice milk, without nuts

  • A 1- to 2-inch-square slice of mild cheese, such as Longhorn, Colby, or Muenster 

  • 1 cup low-fat milk  

  • 1/2 cup pudding  

  • 1 cup yogurt without seeds or nuts

Do not eat these foods:

  • Chocolate milk products

  • High-fat dairy foods, such as cream and half and half

  •  Spicy or strongly flavored cheeses, such as jalapeno and black pepper

Image by Wesual Click
MEAT & MEAT SUBSTITUTES 

Eat the equivalent of 5 to 7 ounces of meat a day from this list:  

  • 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (equals 1 ounce of meat)  

  • 1 large egg (equals 1 ounce of meat)  

  • 1 cup of a casserole made from foods listed in this diet (equals 2 to 3 ounces of meat)  

  • Fish, turkey, chicken, or other meat that is not tough or stringy  

  • 1/2 cup tofu or other bland soy products (equals 1 ounce of meat)  

Eat the equivalent of 5 to 7 ounces of meat a day from this list:  

  • Crunchy peanut butter  

  • Dried cooked beans, such as pinto, kidney, or navy beans

  • Fried or greasy meats  

  • Processed, spicy meats, such as sausage, bacon, ham, and lunch meats  

  • Ribs and other meats with barbecue sauce  

  • Tough or stringy meats, such as corned beef or beef jerky  

Bread and Butter
FATS

Eat 2 to 4 servings a day from this list:  

  • 1 pat or 1 teaspoon butter  

  • 1 pat or 1 teaspoon margarine  

  • 1 teaspoon olive, vegetable, or safflower oil  

Colas and other drinks with caffeine  

  • 1 pat or 1 teaspoon butter  

  • 1 pat or 1 teaspoon margarine  

  • 1 teaspoon olive, vegetable, or safflower oil  

Orange Juice
BEVERAGES  

Drink as much as you want from this list: 

  • Low-acid juices, such as apple, grape, or pear  

  • Mild herbal teas or weak regular tea 

  • Water 

  • Caffeine-free drinks  

  • Soda (do not drink more than 2 cans a day)  

Do not drink these liquids:  

  • Alcoholic beverages  

  • Coffee and regular teas

  • Colas and other drinks with caffeine  

Tomato Soup
SOUPS 

Eat or drink as much as you want from this list:

  • Bouillon or broth   

  • 1 serving of a cream soup may take the place of a serving of milk  

  • Any soup without tomato or strong spices 

Do not eat these foods:  

  • Chile (any kind)  

  • Minestrone and other tomato-based soups  

Herbs
OTHER ITEMS 

Eat as much as you want from this list: 

  • Desserts made with approved foods from the lists above  

  • Herbs  

  • Mild gravies and sauces  

  • Salt and other mild seasonings  

Do not eat these foods:  

  • Chili, taco, or picante sauces  

  • Chili pepper  

  • Desserts with nuts or coconut  

  • Horseradish  

  • Pickles  

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