Soothing Bland Chicken Recipes to Settle Upset Stomach and Diarrhea

Understanding Upset Stomach and Diarrhea

An upset stomach accompanied by diarrhea can leave you feeling quite miserable. These uncomfortable digestive issues are often caused by an intestinal infection, food poisoning, or as a reaction to something you ate that your body struggles to properly digest.

When the intestines aren't functioning properly, excess water may leak into the bowels leading to loose, watery stools. Intestinal infections and inflammation may also contribute to diarrhea symptoms.

During an upset stomach flare up, eating the right foods is key to help settle symptoms. Certain ingredients may make diarrhea worse, while bland foods that are easy to digest can help bind stools for some relief.

Best Foods to Eat for Diarrhea and Upset Stomach

Here are some of the top foods recommended to help manage diarrhea, soothe intestinal inflammation and settle an unsettled stomach:

Bland Starchy Carbs

Starchy carbs are easily digestible energy sources that can help firm up loose stools. They also contain fiber to regulate digestion. Some beneficial options include:

• White rice
• Plain pasta
• White toast or crackers
• Boiled potatoes
• Oatmeal

Broths and Clear Soups

Broths provide hydration and minerals when you may not feel like eating solid foods. The warmth can be soothing for upset stomach. Try simple, low-fat broths and soups such as:

• Chicken broth
• Beef broth
• Vegetable broth
• Clear chicken noodle soup

Bland Poultry and Meat

Plain chicken breast is a classic bland food for diarrhea. Lean meat can offer nourishment without aggravating your stomach. Choose lightly seasoned or unseasoned:

• Boiled chicken breast
• Lean ground turkey
• Scrambled eggs

Canned Fruit

The juicy sweetness of fruit can perk you up when battling an upset stomach. Canned varieties are softened from the preservation process. Best bets include:

• Canned peaches
• Canned pears
• Applesauce
• Fruit cocktail

Low-Fiber Vegetables

While fruits and veggies provide vitamins and minerals important for getting back on track digestion-wise, too much fiber may worsen diarrhea. Choose low-fiber veggies that won’t irritate your gut such as:

• Carrots
• Asparagus tips
• Green beans
• Lettuce
• Spinach

Probiotic Foods and Drinks

Consuming probiotic-rich items may help rebalance your gut microbiome after it was thrown off by diarrhea. Beneficial options include:

• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Buttermilk
• Fermented foods like kimchi or sauerkraut

Chicken Recipes Ideal for Upset Stomach

Using the above recommendations, we’ve rounded up some soothing bland chicken dishes perfect for calming flare ups:

Simple Shredded Chicken

Perfect chicken for bland diets—no seasoning required. Serve on soft bread or crackers.

Chicken and White Rice Soup

Hydrating broth and starchy rice help bind loose stools.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Classic comfort food made mild for sensitive digestion.

Chicken and Potatoes

Bland boiled chicken tops dull white potatoes for an unassuming gut-friendly meal.

Chicken and Carrots

Low-fiber brightly colored carrots add a pop of color and sweetness.

Chicken and Applesauce

Sweet applesauce complements the savory shredded chicken in this simple pairing.

Chicken and White Rice

Fluffy white rice soaks up cooking juices for easy chicken flavored carb-loading.

Chicken and Bananas

If you can stomach it, bananas offer potassium lost through diarrhea to prevent dehydration.

Chicken and Probiotic Smoothie

Blend your chicken with yogurt and fruit juice to sneak in gut-healthy probiotics.

Foods to Avoid During Diarrhea Flare Ups

While the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) was once commonly recommended, restrictively bland diets aren’t optimal long term. However, certain ingredients may exacerbate diarrhea and upset stomach symptoms. Foods to limit or avoid include:

• Raw produce – High insoluble fiber irritates the GI tract
• Nuts, seeds, whole grains – Too much fiber from these foods
• Junk food – High fat, sugar, salt, and preservatives may worsen diarrhea
• Caffeine – Stimulant linked to loose stools
• Alcohol – Causes intestinal inflammation and dehydration
• Dairy – Some struggle to digest lactose during GI issues
• Beans, lentils – Notorious gas-causers
• Artificial sweeteners – Associated with digestive complaints
• Spicy foods – Can exacerbate GI irritation

Pay attention to your own unique intolerances as well. For example, onions, garlic, and greasy foods are other common diarrhea triggers.

Staying Hydrated is Critical

Perhaps the most important aspect of managing an upset stomach is fluid intake. Diarrhea leads to rapid loss of water and electrolytes, causing dangerous dehydration.

Drink adequate liquids and isotonic sports drinks like Gatorade can help replenish what’s lost. Signs of dehydration including excessive thirst, headache, dizziness, and dark urine indicate an urgent need for more fluids.

Getting checked by your doctor is also crucial if diarrhea is severe or persists more than a couple days - especially with symptoms like bloody stools or a fever over 102°F (39°C). Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can have serious consequences if left untreated.

Most uncomplicated cases improve within 24-48 hours allowing for a gradual return your normal diet. But be patient with sensitive guts.

Sticking to bland binds like white chicken until diarrhea subsides can help calm symptoms. And pay attention to triggers that seem to make your stomach more upset as you reintroduce foods.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.