What to Eat and Avoid with Diarrhea - Foods That Help and Worsen Diarrhea Symptoms

What Foods Should You Eat When You Have Diarrhea?

Diarrhea can be an uncomfortable and inconvenient condition that can disrupt your day. When diarrhea strikes, it's important to be mindful of what you're eating and drinking to help ease your symptoms. The good news is that adjusting your diet to include the right foods and beverages can help manage diarrhea. Here's a closer look at some of the best foods to eat when you have diarrhea.

1. Bananas

Bananas are one of the best foods to eat when you're dealing with diarrhea. Bananas are high in potassium, which is an electrolyte that can be lost through diarrhea. The fiber in bananas can also help absorb excess water in your bowels and improve the consistency of your stool.

In addition to being helpful for diarrhea, bananas are generally easy to digest. They are high in carbohydrates and low in fiber. This makes them a great gentle food when your stomach and intestines are sensitive.

Eat bananas fresh or mash them up and eat them with apple sauce or yogurt for another dose of nutrients.

2. Rice

Plain rice is another good food choice when you have diarrhea. Like bananas, rice is high in carbs and low in fiber, making it relatively easy on your digestive system.

Rice also absorbs excess liquid in the intestines to help firm up watery stools. Stick to plain rice when you have diarrhea and avoid rice with heavy sauces or spices, which could further upset your stomach.

Some easy rice dishes to try are white or brown rice with a bit of chicken or rice porridge.

3. Applesauce

Applesauce contains pectin, a type of soluble fiber that can help with diarrhea. Soluble fiber slows digestion, allowing more time for the intestines to absorb water and nutrients. This helps form stools that aren't excessively loose.

Applesauce is also a source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and potassium, which can help replace nutrients lost through diarrhea. It provides carbohydrates without too much fiber, making it one of the best foods to choose when your stomach is upset.

Stick to unsweetened varieties to avoid excess sugars, which could make diarrhea worse.

4. Toast

Toast is an easy to digest food that can help settle an upset stomach. Simple foods like toast provide calories and carbs without fiber or fat, giving your digestive system a rest. This allows your body to recover and repair damaged tissue in the intestines.

Opt for plain white or wheat toast to get some carbs and vitamins. Avoid heavily buttered toast, as high fat foods may be difficult to digest when you have diarrhea.

5. Chicken

Plain, boneless, skinless chicken breast is usually an easily digested meat. Chicken provides protein and nutrients without too much fat or fiber, both of which can worsen diarrhea.

Try baking or boiling chicken breast and eating it on its own or added to bland foods like rice, crackers or toast. Avoid heavy sauces, oils or spices on chicken when your diarrhea is active.

6. Probiotic Yogurt

Probiotic yogurts contain live active cultures that can help promote a healthy gut bacteria balance. Choose yogurts with labels listing Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium or Streptococcus Thermophilus.

When you have diarrhea, the balance of good and bad gut bacteria gets disrupted. Probiotic yogurt can help restore a normal balance and ease symptoms.

Yogurt is also a good source of protein and calcium. Just be sure to choose low-fat, low-sugar yogurt when your stomach is upset.

7. Oats

Oats are a source of soluble fiber, which can absorb liquid in your bowels and help normalize stool consistency. Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance when mixed with fluid, helping to regulate bowel movements.

Try eating oatmeal or dry oats like a hot cereal when you have diarrhea. Avoid oats with too many added sugars, as this may worsen diarrhea symptoms.

8. Potatoes

Baked potatoes are an excellent food when you have diarrhea. Potatoes provide potassium, carbohydrates, and a small amount of fiber to help regulate bowel movements.

Aim to eat potatoes without too much fat, oil or heavy spices, as these additions could further stimulate diarrhea. Baked or boiled potatoes are likely to be well tolerated.

9. Crackers

Crackers provide carbs and calories without much fiber, and they are easy to digest. Try eating plain crackers like saltines or rice crackers to help settle your stomach.

Avoid sesame or heavily seeded crackers, as seeds can exacerbate diarrhea symptoms. Also be mindful of eating too many crackers with processed ingredients, sugars or oils, as these could further stimulate diarrhea.

10. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is an herbal tea that can help soothe the gut and relax intestinal spasms. This allows excess fluid and gas to pass through more easily, potentially easing bouts of diarrhea.

Chamomile also provides fluids to prevent dehydration, which is important when you have frequent bowel movements. Enjoy a mug of hot chamomile tea after meals or when diarrhea symptoms flare.

What Foods Should You Avoid with Diarrhea?

In addition to eating foods that are gentle on your digestive system, it's also important to avoid foods that could make diarrhea worse. Here are some foods to limit or avoid altogether when diarrhea strikes:

1. Fatty, Greasy Foods

High fat foods like fried chicken, cheeseburgers, and pizza can be very difficult for your body to digest when you have diarrhea. Fat can also stimulate intestinal contractions, which worsens diarrhea.

Avoid eating fatty cuts of meat, deep fried foods, whole milk dairy, and any foods cooked in oil, butter or other fats.

2. Spicy Foods

Heavily spiced foods and hot sauces contain compounds that can irritate your gut and stimulate motility, worsening diarrhea. They can also contain hard to digest compounds like capsaicin that may stimulate diarrhea.

Avoid spicy foods like chilies, curry dishes, buffalo wings, chili con carne and hot peppers.

3. Caffeine

Caffeine acts as a stimulant in your body, which can increase bowel contractions and worsen diarrhea. Coffee, energy drinks, soda, chocolate and tea all contain caffeine and are best limited when you have diarrhea.

Opt for caffeine-free beverages or keep your intake low while symptoms are active.

4. Alcohol

Alcohol acts as an irritant in your digestive system and can directly cause the intestines to secrete more fluid, resulting in diarrhea. It can also stimulate gut motility, causing contractions that may worsen diarrhea.

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages when you have diarrhea. Once your symptoms resolve, drink in moderation.

5. Dairy Products

Milk, cheese, ice cream and other dairy products are among the foods most likely to cause diarrhea because many people have difficulty digesting lactose, the natural sugar in dairy products.

Avoid full-fat dairy products, including milk, cream, sour cream, cottage cheese and heavy cream sauces.

6. Raw Fruits and Vegetables

Raw fruits and vegetables are typically high in insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to stool. Although fiber is healthy, too much insoluble fiber during a bout of diarrhea can make symptoms worse.

Avoid raw vegetables and fruits like salads, apples, berries and broccoli when you have active diarrhea. Cooked and peeled fruits are easier to digest.

7. Beans, Legumes and Lentils

Beans, lentils and

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.