Diarrhea is a common condition characterized by loose, watery stools. It can be caused by various factors, including viral or bacterial infections, food poisoning, medications, and underlying health conditions. Managing your diet is crucial when you have diarrhea to help ease symptoms, prevent dehydration, and speed up recovery. Knowing What Foods Are Good For Diarrhea and what to avoid can make a significant difference in how you feel.
When dealing with diarrhea, the goal is to eat foods that are gentle on your digestive system and help to solidify stools. The BRAT diet – Bananas, Rice (white), Applesauce, and Toast – is often recommended as a starting point. These foods are bland, low in fiber, and easy to digest, making them less likely to irritate your gut.
Foods to Eat When You Have Diarrhea:
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Bananas: Bananas are part of the BRAT diet and are a good source of potassium, which can be lost due to diarrhea. They are also easily digestible and can help to bind stools.
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White Rice: White rice is another component of the BRAT diet. It’s low in fiber and easily digested, providing energy without further upsetting your stomach.
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Applesauce: Applesauce, especially unsweetened, is gentle on the stomach and provides pectin, a type of soluble fiber that can help to firm up stools.
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White Toast: Plain white toast is easily digestible and low in fiber. Avoid whole wheat or multigrain toast as they are higher in fiber.
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Cooked Cereals: Hot cereals like Cream of Rice, Cream of Wheat, oatmeal (made with water, not milk), and farina are good choices. Ensure they are low in fiber and sugar. Cold cereals like Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, and Cheerios are also generally well-tolerated if consumed with lactose-free milk or water if dairy is an issue.
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Plain Crackers: Saltine crackers or plain rice crackers are easy to digest and can help settle your stomach.
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Lean Protein: Boiled or baked chicken (skinless), fish, and eggs are good sources of protein that are gentle on the digestive system. Avoid fried or fatty meats.
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Boiled Potatoes: Plain boiled potatoes, without skin, are easily digestible and provide carbohydrates for energy.
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Cooked Vegetables: Well-cooked vegetables like carrots, green beans, and peeled zucchini are acceptable. Ensure they are cooked until soft and avoid raw vegetables, which are high in fiber.
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Broths and Soups: Clear broths (chicken or vegetable) and soups provide fluids and electrolytes, which are important to replenish when you have diarrhea. Choose low-fat options and avoid creamy soups.
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Yogurt with Live Cultures: While dairy can be problematic for some, yogurt with live and active cultures (probiotics) may actually be beneficial. Probiotics can help restore the balance of good bacteria in your gut. Choose plain, unsweetened yogurt.
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Fluids: Staying hydrated is paramount when you have diarrhea. Drink plenty of clear liquids such as water, clear broths, electrolyte solutions (like Pedialyte or Gatorade), and diluted fruit juices (apple or cranberry).
Foods to Avoid When You Have Diarrhea:
Certain foods can worsen diarrhea symptoms and should be avoided until you recover. These include:
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High-Fiber Foods: Foods high in insoluble fiber can stimulate bowel movements and worsen diarrhea. Avoid:
- Whole grains (whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole grain cereals)
- Raw fruits and vegetables (especially broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, corn, peas, peppers, radishes, spinach, raw apples, berries with seeds)
- Dried fruits
- Nuts and seeds
- Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas)
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Fatty, Greasy, and Fried Foods: These foods are difficult to digest and can exacerbate diarrhea.
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Spicy Foods: Spicy foods can irritate your digestive system and worsen diarrhea.
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Dairy Products (for some): Lactose intolerance can be triggered or worsened during diarrhea. Avoid milk, cheese, ice cream, and creamy sauces. However, small amounts of yogurt with live cultures or lactose-free dairy might be tolerated.
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Sugary Foods and Drinks: High sugar intake can sometimes draw water into the intestines and worsen diarrhea. Avoid sugary drinks, candies, and desserts.
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Caffeine and Alcohol: These can stimulate the intestines and worsen dehydration. Avoid coffee, strong tea, soda, and alcoholic beverages.
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Sugar Alcohols: Artificial sweeteners like sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol, often found in sugar-free candies and gums, can have a laxative effect and should be avoided.
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Fructose: High fructose corn syrup and excessive amounts of fructose from fruits can worsen diarrhea in some individuals.
Sample Meal Plan for Diarrhea:
This is a sample low-fiber, easily digestible meal plan to follow when you have diarrhea.
| Meal | Food |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | White toast with jelly, banana, Cream of Rice (with water) |
| Mid-Morning Snack | Applesauce |
| Lunch | Chicken noodle soup (broth-based), white bread roll |
| Afternoon Snack | Rice crackers |
| Dinner | Baked chicken breast, white rice, cooked carrots |
| Evening Snack | Plain yogurt (with live cultures) or banana |
Important Considerations:
- Hydration is Key: Drink fluids throughout the day, especially after each episode of diarrhea.
- Eat Small, Frequent Meals: Instead of three large meals, try eating 5-6 smaller meals or snacks throughout the day. This is easier on your digestive system.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how different foods affect you and adjust your diet accordingly.
- Gradual Reintroduction of Foods: As your symptoms improve, you can gradually start reintroducing other foods back into your diet.
- Consult Your Doctor: If your diarrhea is severe, lasts longer than a few days, or is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, severe abdominal pain, or bloody stools, it is important to seek medical advice. Diarrhea can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious condition.
By focusing on easily digestible, low-fiber foods and avoiding irritants, you can help manage diarrhea symptoms and support your body’s recovery. Remember that dietary adjustments are a key part of managing diarrhea, but proper hydration and, in some cases, medical attention are equally important.
