Bland diet: what to eat, how long, when to eat normally

What is a bland diet and what is it for?

A bland diet consists of simple foods, often with a soft texture. Some people prefer these foods as their appetite returns after gastroenteritis. There is no universal list of foods you must eat and no required fasting phase [1] [2].

After a digestive procedure, the advice depends on what was done. After a routine colonoscopy, you can usually return to your normal diet the next day [3]. Bowel surgery may call for a different progression and specific follow-up [4]. Always follow your discharge instructions. The guidance below is for uncomplicated gastroenteritis.

If you are looking for dietary advice for a diagnosed condition, see our gastritis diet guide or our reflux guide.

What to eat in the first few days

Rehydration comes first if you have lost a lot of fluid. A low-osmolarity oral rehydration solution is the first choice for mild or moderate dehydration caused by diarrhoea [1]. Take it according to advice from a healthcare professional and the product instructions. If you are vomiting, try small, frequent sips [5].

Move from one stage to the next according to how you feel. You can go from drinking to eating as soon as your appetite returns. If nausea comes back, have less at your next meal or snack and try again.

This table is not for anyone following a texture-modified diet because of swallowing difficulties, recovering from recent surgery or living with a condition that requires specific restrictions. In those cases, follow your healthcare team’s plan.

What to avoid for a while

Too much sugar in soft drinks and juices, and very fatty foods, may make diarrhoea worse [2]. Avoid anything you notice makes you feel worse and try it again when you feel better.

If a particular food does not agree with you, leave it for another meal. There is no need to cut out whole food groups as a rule. Milk may cause more discomfort at this time because it contains lactose [2]. If that happens, leave it until later and try yoghurt if you tolerate it.

When your appetite returns, you can also return to your usual food, one step at a time.

How long should you follow it, and how do you return to normal eating?

There is no fixed duration for a bland diet. With ordinary gastroenteritis, follow it only for as long as you prefer simple foods [1] [2]. As soon as you can tolerate food and feel hungry, bring back your usual meals. A still-loose stool does not mean you have to start over.

Try portions that feel comfortable. Then add fruit, vegetables, pulses and whole grains as you tolerate them. If a dish makes your symptoms worse, wait and try it again later. If diarrhoea persists, gets worse or prevents you from drinking, seek medical advice [6].

The timeline after a digestive procedure may be very different. For example, some bowel operations require a low-fibre diet for longer [4]. Do not apply the gastroenteritis timeline after surgery.

Gastroenteritis in children and older adults

For children, maintaining hydration is a priority. Continue breastfeeding. If a child is dehydrated, follow the paediatric oral rehydration plan; afterwards, return to their usual milk feeds and food [7]. Consult a paediatrician if they struggle to drink or you see signs of dehydration [6] [7].

For older adults, oral rehydration solution is advised if diarrhoea is severe or there are signs of dehydration [5]. If someone is frail, has kidney disease or diabetes, or takes medicines that affect fluid balance, ask for individual advice before guessing how much they should drink.

Symptoms related to cancer treatment need their own guidance. You can find it in our eating during cancer treatment resource and our diet guide for people with cancer.

Do flat cola, rice water or fasting help?

Flat cola still contains sugar and is no substitute for an oral rehydration solution. For children with gastroenteritis, fizzy drinks and fruit juices are discouraged until diarrhoea stops [7].

Rice water may be a drink you fancy, but it is not a rehydration treatment. For mild or moderate dehydration, clinical guidance recommends an oral rehydration solution [1]. Prolonged fasting is unnecessary too. Restricted diets do not, by themselves, improve viral gastroenteritis; you can eat again when your appetite returns [2].

An example day once your appetite returns

One possible day starts with toast and a piece of ripe fruit. For lunch, rice with chicken and cooked carrot. In the afternoon, plain yoghurt if you tolerate it. For dinner, boiled potato with white fish and a little cooked vegetable. Drink throughout the day and adjust portions to your appetite.

This is an illustrative combination, not a calculated meal plan or a prescription for children, people recovering from surgery or those with a chronic condition. The next day, you can try other familiar meals.

What we see in consultations

We often see people waiting until their stools return to normal before they eat. That wait can keep them on rice and broth longer than necessary. Another common question is whether all dairy products need to go. We try foods according to symptoms, appetite and individual circumstances, without turning the initial list into a permanent rule [2].

If bloating appears as you bring foods back, it does not always mean you need to start over. Our abdominal bloating guide looks at this symptom from another angle. If it persists or comes with warning signs, seek medical assessment.