What Is Good For Diarrhea

Dietary Recommendations For Diarrhea:

• Drink 8-10 cups of fluid per day, like water, broth, half-strength juice, weak tea, or electrolyte replacement drinks.
• Eat small frequent meals slowly during the day.
• Try sources of soluble fibre to help firm up stool.
• Limit fried or fatty foods since these can worsen diarrhea.
• Some high fibre foods may contribute to diarrhea.
• Foods with lots of sugar may worsen diarrhea, such as regular pop, candy, large quantities of juice, and chocolate milk.
• Some people may become temporarily lactose intolerant when experiencing diarrhea .
• Consult your physician to determine if an anti-diarrheal medication is suitable for you.

Foods To Eat When You Have Diarrhea

When you have diarrhea, the foods that you eat and the foods that you avoid can be critical to helping you recover quicker. This is where BRAT foods come in.

BRAT stands for bananas, rice, apples, toast. These foods are bland, so they wont aggravate the digestive system. Theyre also binding, so they help firm up stool.

Other foods that are included in the BRAT diet include:

• cooked cereal, like Cream of Wheat or farina
• soda crackers

Natural Remedies For Diarrhea #8 Brat Diet

Eating high-binding and hardening foods such as overripebananas, rice, apple sauce and toast are definitely the way to goif you currently have a dose of the runs. Other foods including pasta, oatmeal,yogurt and healthy wholemealcrackers are also very good for treating diarrhea and hardening stools. Andmake sure you avoid all spicy foods and saturated fatty foods, especially friedfoods and takeaway foods. Eating these unhealthy foods will only keep sendingyou back to that dreaded thunder box!

Along with following the BRAT diet, try making yourself anice peppermint or chamomile tea as well. Chamomile and peppermint are bothvery soothing to the gastrointestinal tract and help to alleviate the build-upof intestinal gas that can sometimes accompany diarrhoea. Youcan easily buy chamomile or peppermint tea from most supermarkets or online. Forextra benefit and taste, add a slice of fresh lemon to your cup and drink 3-4times per day. For children with diarrhea, try giving them some peppermintcandy . Just be aware thatpeppermint candy can be high in sugar so be sure to go with a sugar free brand.

Recommended Reading: Dietary Supplements That Combat Intestinal Gas

Foods To Avoid With Diarrhea

Avoid consuming foods high in fiber such as nuts, seeds, fruit or whole grain products. Fiber keeps the colon active and will not help reduce diarrhea.

Spicy foods, fried foods and foods with high sugar content may also stimulate bowel movements. Also, do not consume caffeinated foods or beverages, and avoid full-strength fruit juices.

Gulp Down A Sports Drink

Most people think of Gatorade as a sports beverage, as it replenishes electrolytes after a workout, helping restore hydration. It works the same way when you have diarrhea. If the volume and frequency of watery stool is significant, steps must be taken to avoid dehydration, Dr. Masoud explains. The most important thing to remember is that with fluid losses also come electrolyte depletion.

Recommended Reading: Align Digestive Care Probiotic Supplement

Lean Chicken Or Turkey

Greasy foods with a high fat content can make your diarrhea worse, so opt for low-fat meat options like skinless chicken or turkey. Mundkur recommends baking the meat and eating it unseasoned, since spices and seasonings can irritate your system. You can use dry or fresh herbs, like basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano, or cilantro to flavor the meat, says Mundkur.

Coke And Diarrhea Final Thoughts

A glass of flat coke is often touted as a remedy for diarrhea, but there isnt evidence to support this. Instead, drinking coke might actually cause your diarrhea to worsen.

Ingredients in coke such as caffeine, sugar, and artificial sweeteners can all exacerbate diarrhea. With a low amount of sodium, coca-cola doesnt help to replace electrolytes.

Instead of drinking flat coke, try water, salty broth, and sports drinks instead. Drink regularly between meals. If you have to drink coca-cola, make sure to supplement it with lots of water, and foods or other liquids high in potassium and sodium.

There are some drinks and other things that may help with diarrhea:

Read Also: Probiotics Make You Poop

How Can I Prevent Diarrhea

People can prevent and treat diarrhea by eating foods that are high in fiber, high in protein, and low in fat.

The following foods should be eaten to prevent diarrhea:

• Vegetable and fruit juices

Doctors also recommend drinking fluids to prevent diarrhea.

People can consume fluids by drinking water and other liquids.

Doctors recommend eating foods that are rich in nutrients and water.

The following foods should be consumed to prevent diarrhea:

• High-fiber foods

Doctors also recommend eating foods that are rich in vitamin C.

People should eat foods that are rich in vitamin C to prevent diarrhea.

Doctors recommend eating foods that are high in vitamin C to treat diarrhea.

What Should I Do If I Have Diarrhea

People should seek medical attention if they experience the following symptoms:

• Severe stomach aches
• Diarrhoea that is increasing in frequency
• Diarrhea that is increasing in intensity

Doctors will examine the stool sample and advise a person on the best way to treat the diarrhea.

It is important that a person takes the following steps to treat the diarrhea:

• Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
• Eat foods that are high in fiber and protein to reduce stool output
• Eat foods that are high in vitamin C to prevent diarrhea
• Eat foods that are high in vitamin C to treat diarrhea
• Take oral rehydration solution to treat diarrhea

You May Like: Align Prebiotic Probiotic

Who Shouldnt Take Otc Antidiarrheal Medicines

Dont take antidiarrheal medicines if bacteria or parasites are causing your diarrhea. If you have a stomach bug, your body needs to get rid of the bacteria or parasite that is causing the diarrhea. Stopping the diarrhea in this case can actually make your condition worse. Talk to your family doctor if you think you have a bacterial or parasitic infection.

Dont give loperamide to children 2 years of age or younger unless your doctor says its okay. Check with your doctor before using loperamide for older children, as well.

You shouldnt take loperamide if you have a fever. Dont use it if youve ever had a rash or an allergic reaction after taking it. Dont take loperamide if you have bloody or black stools. These may be signs of a more serious problem, such as a bacterial infection.

Some people are allergic to aspirin or other salicylate medicines. They should not take bismuth subsalicylate. Dont give bismuth subsalicylate to children 12 years of age or younger. Dont give it to children or teenagers who may have the flu or chickenpox. This increases their risk for Reye syndrome. This is a serious illness that can lead to death.

Are Bananas Good For Diarrhea You Havent Heard Everything Yet

Are bananas good for diarrhea? In short, banana is not a fruit that will heal diarrhea, but it is of great importance for recovering lost minerals and nutrients.

Since bananas are easy to digest and very light, they can be good for diarrhea when compared to heavier foods. At the same time, you can regain your lost potassium with bananas.

Diarrhea is a symptom, not a disease. The most important symptoms of diarrhea are the need to go to the toilet frequently, with fluid and sometimes bloody stool, as a result of the disruption of the intestinal system.

It is a condition that seriously affects children and even causes death in some cases, mostly in developing countries.

Studies around the world show that diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children.

The World Health Organization stated that defecating more than three times a day, more than 250 grams, and at least 70 percent in liquid form is appropriate for the diagnosis of diarrhea. Of course, these rates are determined for adults.

See Also

Can I eat bananas with gallstones?

Diarrhea is a condition caused by bacteria. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the cleanliness of your food. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites that cause diarrhea enter our body with unwashed vegetables and fruits, spoiled foods, and dirty water.

When these types of microorganisms entering the body reach the intestine, they cause inflammation in the intestinal wall and increase bowel movement frequency.

You May Like: Does Uti Cause Bloating

How Do Otc Antidiarrheal Medicines Work

Loperamide slows down how fast things move through your intestines . This allows more fluid to be absorbed into your body. This helps you have less diarrhea and more formed stools.

Bismuth subsalicylate balances the way fluid moves through your intestines. It reduces inflammation. It keeps bacteria and viruses that cause diarrhea from growing in the stomach and intestines.

What Is Good To Eat And Drink When You Have Diarrhea

People with diarrhea should eat small meals throughout the day instead of three big meals. Diarrhea, or loose watery stools, may be caused by stomach flu, food poisoning, radiation, chemotherapy, other medications and infections. The following diet tips may help control diarrhea.

• People with diarrhea should include binding foods such as bananas, plain white rice, applesauce and white toast while they have active episodes of loose stools.
• Drink plenty of water or low-sugarbeverages to replace the fluids lost from diarrhea.
• Drink plenty of clear liquids and electrolyte beverages such as water, clear fruit juices, coconut water, oral rehydration solutions and sports drinks. These drinks help replenish fluids and electrolytes in the body.
• Add plain yogurt, buttermilk and kefir to your diet.
• Eat foods high in potassium and sodium to replace the minerals lost from diarrhea.
• High-potassium foods include apricots, avocado, bananas, canned tomatoes, oranges, pears, potatoes and sweet potatoes and tomato juice.
• High-sodium foods include broth or bouillon, canned soup, salty snacks , seasoned rice and pasta packets.

Also Check: Peanuts And Heartburn

Herbal Remedies For Diarrhea: Agrimonia

The Agrimonia eupatoria L. is another of the best astringent plants for diarrhea. Its astringent, antidiarrheal, hemostatic, healing, anti-inflammatory and antiallergic properties offer great health benefits. This is in addition to reducing and relieving intestinal cramps, flatulence, indigestion and, in itself, diarrhea. Drink this Agrimonia tea for diarrhea:

What Should You Feed A Child Who Has Diarrhea

If your child has diarrhea, it’s important to feed them a healthy, well-balanced diet in addition to plenty of fluids. In the past, doctors suggested the “BRAT diet as a solution to help children with diarrhea. Now, many doctors don’t recommend it.

“The BRAT diet is restrictive and does not necessarily help stop diarrhea, explains Dr. Lazar. “Instead, we recommend that children continue to eat a nutritious, well-rounded diet, as there is evidence that the intestine heals when the child is fed.

For breastfed babies and children, breast milk continues to be a great option for nutrition through diarrhea. “Breast milk is easily absorbed and has more nutrients than electrolyte solutions, says Dr. Lazar. However, parents should keep in mind that infants, especially newborns, are very susceptible to dehydration with diarrhea, so if you notice any change in a baby’s stool pattern, you should contact your pediatrician.

In certain cases of diarrhea, your child’s pediatrician might suggest a dairy-free or low-sugar diet on a short-term basis. If your child’s diarrhea persists, try keeping a food diary. For some people, certain foods can trigger diarrhea. For example, some patients with irritable bowel syndrome notice that high-fat, high-sugar or spicy foods tend to cause problems. For some children, gluten or dairy might trigger diarrhea. If you sense that a particular food is causing a problem for your child, write it down and discuss it with your doctor.

Recommended Reading: Is Carrot Good For Constipation

What Are The Symptoms

Most people who have diverticulosis donât show any signs. Those who do might have:

• Belly pain or cramping
• Diarrhea

A doctor likely will suggest some ways to relieve your symptoms, like taking a mild pain reliever, while they pinpoints the cause. Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and peptic ulcers can cause similar symptoms, so theyâll want to rule them out.

How Do Doctors Treat Persistent And Chronic Diarrhea

How doctors treat persistent and chronic diarrhea depends on the cause. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics and medicines that target parasites to treat bacterial or parasitic infections. Doctors may also prescribe medicines to treat some of the conditions that cause chronic diarrhea, such as Crohns disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or ulcerative colitis. How doctors treat chronic diarrhea in children also depends on the cause.

Doctors may recommend probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms, most often bacteria, that are similar to microorganisms you normally have in your digestive tract. Researchers are still studying the use of probiotics to treat diarrhea.

For safety reasons, talk with your doctor before using probiotics or any other complementary or alternative medicines or practices. If your doctor recommends probiotics, talk with him or her about how much probiotics you should take and for how long.

Also Check: Align Probiotic Reviews For Bloating

Protecting Yourself From Gastroenteritis

The viruses that cause gastroenteritis come from contact with an infected person’s stool. You may get it if a person with the virus didn’t wash their hands after using the bathroom and then touched the escalator at the mall — the same escalator you touched before eating lunch. Stomach flu viruses are tough, too. Some can live on surfaces such as counters for months.

It’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your family. Here’s some advice.

• Wash your hands. According to experts, this is still the best way to stop a stomach virus. One review of studies found that good hand-washing technique cut the rate of diarrhea by 40%. Make sure to use soap and water and do it thoroughly — wash your hands for as long as it takes to recite the alphabet. Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, before eating, and after changing a diaper.
• Use hand sanitizer. If you’re not near a sink to wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Be aware that hand sanitizer may not be as effective as hand washing at preventing the stomach flu.
• Wipe down surfaces. If a family member has the stomach flu, wash off high-traffic areas — such as the bathroom, door knobs, phones, and TV remotes — with a diluted bleach solution. If it’s possible, keep healthy people out of the bathroom the sick person is using.
• Make sure your kids get their vaccines.Vaccines for rotavirus can protect children from some types of stomach flu. Kids usually get the vaccines before they are age 2.

When To See Your Doctor

While many cases of diarrhea can be treated at home with OTC remedies, rest, and a temporarily restricted diet, if it lasts long enough you should consult your doctor. Call your doctor if your diarrhea lasts more than 2 days without improvement or if you get dehydrated.

If you get dehydrated or have other symptoms, you may need to go to the emergency room to get prompt treatment.

Other symptoms to watch for include black or bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, or a fever of 102°F or higher. You can call your doctor and ask what you should do if you experience any of these symptoms.

If your child has diarrhea, call their pediatrician and ask whether you should take them to the emergency room if they:

• dont improve after 24 hours
• havent had a wet diaper in three or more hours
• have a fever of 102°F or higher
• have a dry mouth or tongue
• cry without tears
• have skin that doesnt flatten if pinched and released
• have a sunken appearance to the abdomen, cheeks, or eyes

Recommended Reading: Align Probiotic Dosage

How Do I Safely Take Otc Antidiarrheal Medicines

Before you take an OTC antidiarrheal medicine, read the directions on the drug facts label. This will tell you how much medicine to take and how often to take it. If you have any questions, call your family doctor or pharmacist. Keep a record of which OTC medicines you are using and when you take them. If you need to go to the doctor, take this list with you.

Follow these tips to make sure you are taking the right amount of medicine:

• Take only the amount recommended on the medicines label. Dont assume that more medicine will work better or quicker. Taking more than the recommended amount can be dangerous.
• If you take prescription medicine, ask your doctor if its okay to take OTC antidiarrheal medicine.
• Dont use more than one OTC antidiarrheal medicine at a time unless your doctor says its okay. They may have similar active ingredients. These could add up to be too much medicine.

Try Eating A Bland Diet

When dealing with a brief bout of diarrhea, you want to keep your diet bland. You may find it best to only have clear liquids for the first 24 hours. Then you can slowly add bland foods to your diet. Some bland foods include bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast otherwise known as the BRAT diet. An updated version of the diet that includes tea is referred to as BRATT. Research shows there’s not a lot of evidence to support the benefits of following this diet, but it may not hurt. At the same time, while bananas may be okay for adults, they’re not recommended for children who’ve been vomiting. Crackers and mashed potatoes minus the butter may offer a better alternative for both adults and children.

If diarrhea lasts more than a few days, you might want to investigate the foods you’re eating, as some can irritate your bowel and make diarrhea worse. These include foods high in fiber, such as bran, whole grains, and brown rice, as well as greasy or excessively sweet foods. Foods that are sweetened with sorbitol may also aggravate diarrhea, Bickston says. If loose stools are a problem, then you may want to avoid these foods.

Also Check: Acid Reflux Drugs Side Effects