Foods to Eat, Benefits, and More

Staff
By Staff
3 Min Read

Grains

Grains come from plants like wheat, rye, and oats. They’re in foods like bread, pretzels, and crackers.

Generally, nutritional guidelines advise choosing whole grains for better digestion and health. But that’s not the case when following a bland diet. “Whole grains are typically higher in fiber and harder to digest,” says Reisdorf, who recommends choosing refined grains for gentler digestion with a bland diet.

The best refined grains recommended by our experts for a bland diet include:

  • White bread
  • White rice
  • White crackers
  • Pretzels
  • Quick-cook oatmeal

Low-Fat or Fat-Free Dairy

Foods in the dairy group can work well in a bland diet and provide vital nutrients like calcium, potassium, and vitamin D — just be sure to choose low-fat or fat-free options for easiest digestion.

The best low-fat or fat-free dairy options recommended by our experts for a bland diet include:

  • Milk
  • Cottage cheese
  • Mild cheeses like mozzarella and ricotta
  • Yogurt
  • Pudding
  • Soy milk

Protein

Foods that contain protein do a lot for your body: They help build muscle, fight infection, and give you energy. While plenty of proteins fit well into a bland diet, keeping your choices lean — and scaling back on seasoning — helps make them more easily digestible.

The best sources of protein recommended by our experts for a bland diet include:

  • Eggs
  • Chicken
  • Fish
  • Shellfish
  • Tofu
  • Creamy peanut butter
  • Unsalted bone broth

To make sure your protein is easier to digest, try not to overcook it. And skip any spices beyond salt and pepper, Young advises.

Vegetables

Whether you love vegetables or avoid them, they’re a great source of various vitamins and minerals. Many vegetables are high in fiber, though. If you’re following a bland diet, it’s important to look for lower-fiber options.

The best vegetables recommended by our experts for a bland diet include:

  • Spinach
  • Carrots
  • Acorn squash
  • Pumpkin
  • Vegetable juice (not tomato based)

Avoid raw vegetables, which are harder to digest. Instead, cook vegetables until they’re soft, but avoid any fried options. Canned or frozen varieties can also be good options for a bland diet.

Fruits

Fruits are packed with nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, and folate. However, like vegetables, they can contain a lot of fiber. But unlike vegetables, you can eat raw fruit on a bland diet, especially softer varieties.

The best fruits recommended by our experts for a bland diet include:

  • Bananas
  • Applesauce
  • Melons
  • Canned fruit
  • Non-citrus fruit juices

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