Diarrhea what should i eat and drink

They're important chemical messengers needed for heart beats, nerve signals, and other functions. The fluid loss in diarrhea may lead to electrolyte imbalance , which may cause serious medical issues.

Simple food choices decrease the amount of residue, or undigested waste, in your colon. The colon is the last part of your digestive tract before waste leaves the body, so less waste means fewer urgent bowel movements. Foods that move slowly through your system give it more time to absorb nutrients you need to stay healthy, and they help to calm the diarrhea.

The diarrhea diet has a lot in common with the well-known BRAT diet , which is used for a variety of digestive concerns.

The foods in the diarrhea diet are simple because the idea is to give your body the break it needs. The diet may seem hard to follow, but it helps to know that you only need to stick with it temporarily.

On the other hand, adding foods back too quickly may make your symptoms worse and your diarrhea last longer. You'll likely be making changes in how much fiber you eat each day. It's important to remember that fiber is still an important part of your diet. The task will be finding out how much fiber you can eat without making your symptoms worse. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in water, and helps to lower cholesterol and improve blood sugar levels.

It can help absorb water and reduce diarrhea symptoms. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water. You will probably only need to stick to the diarrhea diet for a few days. As you begin to feel better, you can start easing back into a well-rounded diet of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

You may need a week to 14 days to fully shift back to your normal foods. Fruit : Bananas are bland and easily digested, making them a good choice for settling an upset digestive system.

They are a good source of potassium , an important electrolyte that can be lost when you have diarrhea, as well as a rich source of pectin, a soluble fiber. If you have diarrhea, eating soluble fiber can help absorb liquid in the intestines while preventing constipation.

Applesauce is a better choice than an apple, as the fruit's skin contains insoluble fiber that can put a strain on your digestive system. Vegetables : Vegetables are nutritional powerhouses but can be hard to digest when eaten raw.

Make them more diarrhea diet-friendly by peeling them, removing any seeds, and cooking them thoroughly. The skin of a baked potato is nutritious, but it may contain more fiber than your system can handle, so stick to peeled, plain potatoes instead.

Avoid broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, peas, green leafy vegetables, and corn, as they tend to cause gas. Grains : Hot cereals like farina are easy to digest and often have added vitamins.

As you recover, you may want to add oatmeal too. Oats are a source of soluble fiber, which can firm and thicken the stool to reduce diarrhea. Whole wheat is generally the healthier toast option, but white bread may be better since it's easier to digest. Saltines and pretzels are often made with white flour rather than wheat. Plain white rice is easily digested and binding, which means it helps firm up loose stools.

Cook it plain or with chicken broth. Pasta noodles made from white flour without any sauce or butter are another option. Dairy : Avoid dairy products until your diarrhea improves. Even if you normally tolerate lactose the sugars found in milk it can be more difficult to digest when you have diarrhea.

The one exception is a small serving of low-fat yogurt with live or active bacterial cultures. Choose brands that are low in sugar and don't contain any artificial sweeteners, which can make gas and diarrhea worse.

People are "lactose intolerant" when they cannot digest the sugars in milk and related dairy products very well. These foods may be harder to digest with diarrhea, even if you don't have a lactose problem.

Protein : Steamed white meat chicken is one of the most easily digested sources of animal protein. Lean, fat-free servings of turkey, beef, pork, and fish also are fine. Coconut water is another choice. Electrolyte-replacement sports drinks may be an option too, though they can be high in added sugar.

Bone broth can help replace fluids and sodium lost from repeated bouts of diarrhea. While it can be used for homemade soups, some people use it on its own as a warm drink. Drinking very hot or very cold beverages can stimulate bowel movements.

Stick to room temperature drinks until your symptoms improve. Avoid coffee and tea because they can stimulate bowel contractions. You'll also want to skip alcoholic beverages including wine, beer, and cocktails until your diarrhea gets better.

Carbonated beverages like seltzer water and soda may cause gas and bloating, although some people find sipping on flat ginger ale helps to settle their stomach. Desserts : Ice pops are a cool treat that can help prevent dehydration. Brands like Pedialyte make freezer pops that offer added nutrition, or you can buy or make regular ones. Avoid hard candy, chewing gum, and beverages that contain sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, xylitol , or erythritol, as they can have a mild laxative effect.

Foods used in the diarrhea diet are meant to reduce your trips to the bathroom. They offer key nutrients, add fiber to firm up your stool, and help to keep electrolytes in balance. Try warm broth or sips of water first and see how you feel.

Depending on the cause of diarrhea, you may want to stick to clear liquids for a few hours to a full day. Once you feel like eating, choose bland foods and start with small servings. Give your stomach time to rest between light meals and snacks. If you are still feeling nauseated or get full quickly, try eating and drinking at separate times. If you're feeling better after a few days, you can try a gradual return to your regular way of eating. Some types of food are generally hard to digest, but heating them changes their chemical makeup and makes it easier for your body to break them down.

Carrots, green beans, beets, acorn squash, and peeled zucchini are easy to steam, even in the microwave. You should eat vegetables, including carrots, green beans, mushrooms, beets, asparagus tips, acorn squash, and peeled zucchini. Cook them first. Baked potatoes are OK. In general, removing seeds and skins is best. You can include desserts and snacks such as fruit-flavored gelatin, fruit-flavored ice pops, cakes, cookies, or sherbet. You should avoid certain kinds of foods when you have diarrhea, including fried foods and greasy foods.

Avoid fruits and vegetables that can cause gas, such as broccoli, peppers, beans, peas, berries, prunes, chickpeas, green leafy vegetables, and corn. Limit or cut out milk and other dairy products if they are making your diarrhea worse or causing gas and bloating. Diarrhea with little or no fever. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease.

Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; chap Updated by: Neil K. Editorial team. When you have diarrhea. How to Relieve Diarrhea. These things may help you feel better if you have diarrhea: Drink 8 to 10 glasses of clear fluids every day. People should try to drink liquids containing minerals and electrolytes to replenish those lost. Sources of electrolytes and minerals include:. Spicy ingredients can act as irritants in the digestive system. This is why people dealing with diarrhea should stick to bland foods, as they pose the least risk of agitating the digestive system.

It is not advisable to eat foods high in fat or oil when recovering from diarrhea. Added fats and oils from frying can be difficult for the sensitive digestive system to process and will likely make symptoms worse. Sugars that pass into the colon may disrupt the already sensitive bacteria there, making diarrhea worse. This includes fruit juices and high-sugar fruits.

People with diarrhea should also avoid artificial sweeteners, as some can have a laxative effect. It may also help to avoid too much fiber. Fiber helps keep the digestive system active.

Usually, this is a good thing, but when the body is trying to recover from diarrhea, fiber may make symptoms worse.

Soluble fibers, such as the pectin found in apples and bananas, can actually help a person recover from diarrhea, but a person should still try to limit their intake at least for the first day of symptoms.

Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee , tea, and soda, may overstimulate the digestive system and make symptoms worse. Carbonated drinks may also irritate or contribute to other symptoms, such as bloating and cramps. People should also avoid alcohol while dealing with diarrhea. While many sports drinks contain electrolytes that may help with dehydration, they often contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Coconut water or electrolyte-enhanced water are good alternatives. In addition to following a diet that will help relieve diarrhea, there are several other remedies a person can take to make a swift recovery.

Other diarrhea treatments include bismuth subsalicylate Pepto Bismol and Ioperamide Imodium. These drugs can help relieve occasional cases of diarrhea and may be helpful to have on hand in a medicine cupboard. Pepto Bismol and Imodium are available for purchase over-the-counter or online. People with diarrhea should also ensure they get enough rest, as putting the body in stressful situations while dealing with diarrhea may make matters worse.

Limit physical activity while diarrhea symptoms are presenting, as strenuous activity may put the body at a greater risk of dehydration. Blood or mucus may appear in the stool in more serious cases of diarrhea.

This is often accompanied by a fever and requires a visit to the doctor as soon as possible. Untreated diarrhea can also lead to serious complications, including dehydration.

A person with severe diarrhea may require hospitalization and intravenous electrolytes. Parents or guardians should carefully monitor any children with diarrhea.