Bland diets are often prescribed by doctors to help manage the symptoms of a number of issues, including ulcers, gastritis, reflux disease and dyspepsia, or to help with the healing process after surgery of the stomach or intestines. Many spices and most fats and high-fiber foods are not recommended on a bland diet, making it a challenge to come up with satisfying meals. While the diet isn't always exciting, you do have options for cooking a variety of foods that won't upset your condition and will help stave off culinary boredom.
Breakfast
The point of a bland diet is to not irritate your digestive system, so high-fat breakfasts are out. Whole grains are also not recommended, but cooked cereals are suitable. Make oatmeal or cream of wheat, but don't use butter. Flavor with cinnamon, or fruit without the skin or seeds, such as applesauce or canned pears. Eggs are versatile breakfast fare on a bland diet. Poached or soft-boiled eggs only need water to prepare, while eggs gently scrambled in a good non-stick pan won't need added fat.
Lunch
Soup is nourishing for lunch, regardless of your diet. Boil vegetables in water until they're just tender and puree in a blender or food processor with a little skim milk for a creamy soup. Asparagus, peas, mushrooms and sweet potatoes make flavorful soups, but avoid vegetables that tend to produce gas, such as broccoli, corn, peppers and cauliflower. Use water or non-fat vegetable broth for non-cream soups and add white rice or pasta made with enriched, white flour, such as regular macaroni.
Dinner
Steaming vegetables helps retain more of the nutrients and flavor without the addition of any fat. Flavor steamed green beans, carrots or asparagus with herbs. Bake winter squash, such as butternut or acorn squash, or mash potatoes or sweet potatoes with skim milk, omitting the butter. You can bake lean meats for dinner, such as pork and chicken, but you may find fish easier to tolerate. Choose white fish, such as cod or halibut, and use poaching, steaming or grilling cooking methods.
Snacks
Snacking is often an important component of a bland diet. Tufts Medical Center recommends eating several small meals per day rather than the traditional three. Stew canned fruits, such as pears and peaches, in water or apple juice flavored with cinnamon and serve with fat-free yogurt for a snack or small meal. Make your own custard or pudding to control the fat content. Steam cubes of tofu and serve with a dipping sauce made from creamy peanut butter.
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