If you suffer from a chronic condition such as heartburn, gastritis or dyspepsia, or if you have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia or peptic ulcer disease, your doctor may have prescribed that you consume a bland diet. In essence, the diet includes foods that are easy on your digestive tract and eliminates those that can worsen your condition. A bland diet should only be temporary -- until your symptoms have subsided. Your doctor will let you know when the addition of other healthy foods may be added back into your eating plan.
Proteins and Dairy
All of the meats, poultry, cuts of fish and dairy products that you consume on the bland diet should be low in fat, with no added cooking fat. Lean cuts of beef, boneless and skinless chicken breast, turkey breast, light white cuts of fish and egg whites are great low-fat sources of protein. Canned tuna and chicken are also good options. Low-fat versions of milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and mild cheese will fulfill your daily need for dairy.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits should be canned, with all skin and seeds removed. Vegetables can be canned, frozen or cooked. Your fruits and vegetables need to be soft and extremely easy to chew. Fruit and vegetable juices are recommended. Apple sauce, bananas and mashed potatoes are also good foods for the bland diet. Fibrous fresh fruits and vegetables are more difficult to digest and therefore are not included in the diet. Small seeds can irritate the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, so berries are prohibited.
Refined Grains
Your carbohydrate intake should consist of refined white-flour products. This includes white bread, white pasta and white rice. Also, any cooked cereal, such as oatmeal, may be included in your diet. Foods low in fiber reduce the amount of irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Once your condition subsides, your doctor will ask you to slowly increase your fiber intake by adding whole grains back into your diet.
Soft Foods
Soft foods such as soups, pudding and custard are prescribed for a bland diet, as long as they are not spicy or rich. Creamy peanut butter is a good food to eat in place of nuts and seeds. When foods are soft, moving them through the gastrointestinal tract requires fewer peristalsis waves, resulting in less irritation and the greater opportunity for healing.
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