bland diet, a diet that is mechanically, chemically, physiologically, and sometimes thermally nonirritating to the GI tract. It is often prescribed in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, gallbladder disease, diverticulitis, gastritis, idiopathic spastic constipation, and mucous colitis and after abdominal surgery. Historically, it was first called the “white diet” (or Sippy diet, after Dr. Sippy, who developed it). This allowed the use of only white foods, such as milk, cream, mashed potatoes, and hot cereal (e.g., Cream of Wheat). It has progressed to what has been called the “liberal bland diet,” which allows all foods except caffeine, alcohol, black pepper, spices, or any other food that could be considered irritating. The clinical value of the traditional bland diet has never been proven, and thus its use as a treatment for GI problems is questionable.
