If you are experiencing nausea, vomiting or gas, you may need to follow a bland diet to help you meet your nutrient needs and limit intolerance. A bland diet is also recommended to treat ulcers and heartburn. It consists of soft, low-fiber foods that are easy to chew and digest. When following a bland diet, you should avoid spicy, fried and raw foods, according to Medline Plus. Caffeine is also limited on the bland diet. A bland diet includes foods from each of the food groups and can adequately meet your nutrient needs.
Starches
Choose starches made from refined flours to limit your fiber intake and ease digestion. Bland starch choices include cream of rice, cream of wheat, mashed potatoes, refined flour pastas, refined flour noodles, white bread and rolls and saltine crackers. Fat may not be tolerated well when you need to follow a bland diet; eat foods without added butter, margarine or other fats.
Fruits
Choose soft fruits when following a bland diet, such as applesauce, canned fruit, cooked fruits without the skin and bananas. Mild juices are also acceptable and include apple, grape and pear juice. To ease discomfort when following a bland diet eat small frequent meals, says Medline Plus.
Vegetables
Do not eat raw vegetables on a bland diet. Instead, cook vegetables until they are soft and tender. In addition, it helps to choose foods that are easy to digest, such as carrots, green beans, summer squash and winter squash. Avoid gassy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage when following a bland diet. To improve tolerance and digestion, chew your food well.
Dairy Foods
Most dairy foods are mild and easily tolerated on the bland diet. Choose low-fat and nonfat dairy foods to ease digestion. Fat takes longer to digest and can increase discomfort. Bland dairy food choices include low-fat milk, skim milk, low-fat and nonfat yogurt without seeds or nuts, mild cheese such as Colby or Muenster, low-fat and nonfat cottage cheese and low-fat puddings.
Meat and Meat Substitutes
Meats should be soft and easy to chew. The University of North Carolina suggests you avoid tough and stringy meats. Meat choices include poultry, fish and stewed meat. Bland meat substitutes include creamy peanut butter, eggs and tofu.
Beverages
Drink beverages slowly to prevent feeling too full. In addition to milk and mild juices, other beverages on the bland diet include water, herbal teas and non-caffeinated drinks. You can drink soda on a bland diet, but limit your intake to two cans a day, suggests the University of North Carolina.
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