People who experience gastrointestinal problems such as peptic ulcer disease, chronic gastritis, reflux esophagitis or dyspepsia are often ordered by their doctors to begin an eating regimen called a bland diet. A bland diet consists primarily of soft foods with low acidity and minimal seasoning. Foods and beverages such as coffee, chocolate, carbonated sodas, dried beans, fried meats, whole grain products and most raw fruits and vegetables are heavily restricted on a bland diet.

While on a bland food diet, patients eat softer foods such as cream of wheat, mashed potatoes or cooked rice in place of heavier starches such as bread, crackers and grain cereals. Portions are controlled in order to minimize the effects of digested food moving through the digestive tract, a process known as peristalsis. Patients recovering from certain surgeries or other medical conditions such as hemorrhoids also benefit from a reduction in peristalsis.

A bland diet also allows for soft or processed fruits such as applesauce, bananas and seedless canned fruits, but does not allow for acidic raw fruits or berries containing seeds. Some mild fruit juices are permitted, such as apple or grape juice, but acidic citrus-based beverages such as lemonade or orange juice are not. Acidic foods and seeds can irritate the gastrointestinal tract during digestion.

Many milk and dairy products are permissible, even recommended, on a bland diet, but there are a few exceptions. Chocolate-flavored dairy products are forbidden, as well as any strongly spiced cheeses or high fat dairy products such as heavy cream or half-and-half. Mild dairy foods tend to soothe irritated linings, but excessive fats, cocoa and spices can have the opposite effect.

Perhaps the most difficult adjustment to a bland diet involves meats and proteins. In a strict bland food diet, softer meat substitutes such as smooth peanut butter, eggs and tofu are encouraged over any type of fibrous or seasoned meat. Certain meats such as chicken or fish are permitted, as long as they are not heavily fried, breaded or processed like sandwich meats. Steamed chicken breast served with a salt substitute would be a typical protein serving while on a bland diet.

A bland diet is designed primarily to help patients recover from gastrointestinal conditions or other medical circumstances in which improved digestion would be essential. It is not especially effective as a long-term weight loss diet, although portion sizes are strictly controlled. Many people find a bland diet to be very difficult to maintain, although some find the use of acceptable spice alternatives does make it easier. Most patients slowly return to a more normal diet once their medical issues have been resolved, however.