Diarrhea can be such a pain-literally and figuratively. When the digestive system is disturbed, what you eat can significantly help you ease symptoms and get you back on the right track.
That's why we put together this list of 17 foods for diarrhea that can provide nourishment with a little relief.
This guide will take you through easy, gentle, and easily digestible options to foods that can help firm up your stool so that you are back to normal in no time.
The number one food on our list is a banana. Why, you ask? Bananas are rich in pectin. It is a type of soluble fiber that absorbs water from the gut thus causing the thickening of loose stool. This fruit is light and easily digestible - just what you need when your gut is disturbed.
Another reason why banana is great for diarrhea is because it is rich in potassium - a key type of electrolyte that prevents water loss or dehydration. Banana is also a part of the BRAT diet.
Others from the BRAT diet include plain white rice, which helps absorb excess fluids within the intestines and shall help make your stools more solid. Due to its low levels of fiber, it is easy on the stomach and thus is a gentle option during recovery.
On a similar note, rice is full of carbohydrates to give you energy and won't overstress your digestive system. Overall, rice is a gentle food to help your body overcome diarrhea because it is both bland and easily digested.
The other happy food that also finds its place in BRAT diet regimens is applesauce. Applesauce is known to contain pectin - a key soluble fiber that absorbs excess water in the intestines and can make the stool less watery.
Like others, applesauce is easy to digest; it can provide your body with some necessary elements without much disturbance in the digestive system. The mild taste and smooth texture also help.
Plain white toast is made from low-fiber ingredients, so it won't cause any irritation in your gut. Toast absorbs excess fluid in your digestive system, and consequently, it helps firm up your stools.
Moreover, carbohydrates will keep you going without making your stomach feel any worse. Toast is soft on the stomach as it is part of the BRAT diet that has the tendency to be easy on the stomach and complement your road to recovery from diarrhea.
The other thing you should have during diarrhea is electrolyte drinks because these drinks help replace fluids and minerals lost due to the high frequency of bowel movements. Coconut water contains very high electrolytes, including potassium and sodium, which is a natural option for rehydrating and balancing the body.
These essential nutrients can also be received from the electrolyte-enhanced water and sports drinks, although one should be observant in not consuming those with added sugars or artificial sweeteners, which would worsen diarrhea.
Because of this, hydration during diarrhea should be sustained with fluids high in electrolytes to avoid dehydration and hastening the healing process.
Soft and steamed carrots are easily digestible and soft on the stomach. Cooking carrots makes them tender and the fiber content is normally reduced, which may help prevent aggravation in the digestive system. They provide important vitamins and nutrients without adding extra bulk that could worsen diarrhea.
It can also comfort with natural sweetness when carrots are steamed. As such, this is one of the healthy options to make one feel good as the body heals.
This comforting soup is helpful for people with diarrhea because the probiotics work to restore the gut with the right quantities of good bacteria. Miso itself is the byproduct of fermented soybean paste, which works to offer healthy digestion that may alleviate symptoms such as gas and bloating.
Miso broth is warm and comforting. It is gentle on the stomach, as it is soothing rather than irritating. Other nutrients found in miso soup also aid in general health and, therefore, can be of great help when your body is struggling to recover from digestive issues.
One of the best foods during diarrhea is boiled potatoes. They are rather bland, and very low in fiber, which makes them easy to digest. Without the skin, potatoes become a "binding" food because they can absorb extra water in the intestines and thereby firm up loose stools.
They are also rich in potassium, an essential electrolyte always lost in diarrhea, and help in maintaining fluid balance within the body. Boiled potatoes are soft and light on the stomach; they provide nutrition and don't irritate the stomach further.
Plain crackers are also low in fiber; this makes them easy on the stomach. Crackers can absorb excess fluids in the intestines that, as we learned, can make the passage of stool thicker.
The salt in the unsalted crackers can substitute for the lost salts. This is an important fact to note since the diarrheal condition results in dehydration. All in all, they are easy, soft options that will help reduce some symptoms and speed up the healing process.
Hot cereals are excellent to have for diarrhea since they will be soothing to your stomach and easily digestible. Cooked in water, these cereals have low levels of fiber and thus will not irritate the digestive system.
They are a bland supply of carbohydrates that provide energy without upsetting the stomach. In addition, such hot cereals can also absorb a part of the excessive fluid inside your intestines, possibly even preventing the looseness of the stool. This ease in their soothing warmth hence makes them appropriate for those who have just faced gastrointestinal irritation.
We already know that when we have diarrhea, our digestive system needs gentle foods that won't irritate it further, and plain pasta fits this requirement perfectly. It absorbs excess water in the intestines, leading to firmer stools.
Besides, pasta has carbohydrates that give you energy without putting stress on your stomach. Since it doesn't contain spices or strong flavors, it is unlikely to cause any additional discomfort. So opt for a plain pasta for dinner during recovery.
Herbal teas alleviate discomfort and facilitate digestion naturally. For instance, ginger tea is known for its help in relieving nausea and bloating of the body, which makes it exemplary when someone's stomach is upset.
Another great choice is peppermint tea because it can relax the muscles of the digestive tract, helping to release cramps and other pains. So, chamomile tea is also soothing due to its anti-inflammatory properties that calm your stomach and diminish gas.
Moreover, green tea is useful as it is associated with reducing the severity of diarrhea and maintaining good health of the gut. Thus, the consumption of these herbal teas is associated with hydration through light delivery of comfort; hence, they are easy and efficient treatments to make one feel better during stomach problems.
Chicken broth is always suggested to comfort diarrhea, as it is light and gentle on the stomach, and helps in rehydration. During the bout of diarrhea, the body loses fluids and essential electrolytes, whereby chicken broth offers a nutritious, soothing way to rehydrate while replenishing vital nutrients.
Its easy-to-digest nature makes it a great option for reintroducing nourishment without overwhelming your digestive system, helping to promote recovery.
Anti-inflammatory properties in gelatin can help with gut lining healing, the improvement of intestinal barrier function, and reduction of diarrhea symptoms. Some studies have found that gelatin can enhance the mucus layer in the gut - a key factor in avoiding inflammation and keeping gut integrity.
A type of gelatin, gelatin tannate, reduces stool frequency and abdominal pain in sensitive diarrhea both in children and adults. When you have desserts made of gelatin, choose plain and without added sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Rich in amino acids, especially glycine and proline, it promotes repair and tissue function and gut in general, thus suitable for the diet of people during diarrhea.
Blueberries are high in dietary fiber and rich in antioxidants, so, they are good to help with diarrhea. Fiber, while usually known to facilitate the ease of bowel movements, tends to firm up the stools as the digestive system starts recovering from diarrhea.
Antioxidants in blueberries may also help decrease inflammation in the gut. Nevertheless, one must eat blueberries in moderation. If one consumes too many, it might cause discomfort in the stomach.
Eggs are never a bad option when it comes to diarrhea, provided they are prepared just right. Boiled eggs, scrambled, poached, and the like are preferred without added fats such as oil and butter. In these meals, the eggs, being an excellent source of protein and nutrients in the body, will help nurture your body back to health.
In any case, great amounts or rich dishes need to be excluded as too much protein and fat are hardly digested when the digestive system is sensitive.
Probiotics are the good bacteria that help promote gut microflora. Yogurt is one of the food products that is rich in such probiotics.
It soothes diarrhea by saving the gut from any further damage. This advantage is very helpful in diarrhea caused by infection, antibiotics, and an irritable bowel.
In fact, it has been demonstrated that high-volume probiotic yogurt reduces the duration and severity of symptoms associated with diarrhea, hence allowing the body an easier recovery. Nevertheless, a person should make sure he selects only those yogurts containing live probiotic cultures since not all yogurts are created equal.
While managing diarrhea, it is equally important to know which foods must be avoided. Some food items can further aggravate your symptoms, so best to avoid them until you recover completely.
Most cases of diarrhea can be dealt with at home but seek medical attention if the following signs and symptoms are present:
