After a child has experienced mild diarrhea, what diet is recommended once their appetite returns?

Once a child's appetite returns after experiencing mild diarrhea, it is recommended that they continue with their regular diet. This approach is key because it encourages the child to eat a balanced variety of foods that provide essential nutrients, which may help restore any lost energy and weight. Regular foods are generally easier for the child to digest compared to restrictive diets.

The BRAT diet, consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, often suggested for diarrhea, is not necessary once the child's appetite has returned. It is limited in nutritional value and may not provide the vitamins, minerals, and calories needed for recovery and growth. Emphasizing a regular diet helps ensure the child receives adequate nutrition to support healing of the gastrointestinal tract.

In contrast, a low-carb or high-protein diet could also be inappropriate following mild diarrhea since they do not address the need for balanced nutrition and may not be suitable for a child’s dietary needs at that time.