What To Eat When You Have Diarrhea And Vomiting
What to eat when you have diarrhea and vomiting? When a person has a viral infection, he or she will feel the symptoms of a cold, but these symptoms will last longer. The most common symptoms include fever, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and body aches. This article will help you understand what to eat when you have these symptoms.
When To Seek Medical Treatment For Diarrhea:
- Less urine than usual
If your diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection, Mundkur says you may experience severe diarrhea, fever, and bloody stools however, antibiotics can help treat the infection if its bacterial.
On the other hand, persistent blood in your stools could also be an indication of something more serious. Sometimes colon cancer can cause diarrhea and blood in the stool, so it is important to talk to your primary care physician about whether you need a colonoscopy, says Mundkur.
You May Like: Is Tequila Really A Probiotic
When To See A Doctor
While most cases of diarrhea can be treated and remedied at home with OTC remedies, rest, and a temporarily restricted diet, if the disease lasts long enough, you should visit your doctor. Consult your doctor if your diarrhea lasts more than 2 days without improvement or if you are facing dehydration. Dehydration or other severe symptoms will result in you going to the emergency room for prompt treatment.
Other symptoms to watch for include black or bloody stools , severe abdominal aches and cramps, or a fever of 102°F or higher.
Untreated diarrhea can also lead to serious and prolonged complications, including dehydration. A person with severe diarrhea may require hospitalization and intravenous injection of electrolytes.
Don’t Miss: Is Coconut Water Good For Diarrhea
Sugary Foods Make Diarrhea Worse
Fact. Some people reach for sports drinks or sodas to replenish lost fluids when they have diarrhea. But very sugary foods and drinks — even natural sugars found in fruit — may make diarrhea symptoms worse. During digestion, sugar draws fluid into the intestines, diluting the stools. Some sugar substitutes, like sorbitol, may have the same effect.
What Other Guidelines Should I Follow
- Drink liquids as directed. You may need to drink more liquids than usual to prevent dehydration. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you. You may need to drink an oral rehydration solution . An ORS helps replace fluids and electrolytes that you lose when you have diarrhea.
- Eat small meals or snacks every 3 to 4 hours instead of large meals. Continue eating even if you still have diarrhea. Your diarrhea will continue for a few days but should gradually go away.
Read Also: Why Are You Bloated On Your Period
The Best Teas For Diarrhea
Herbal tea for diarrhea is especially good, but so are some of the more common varieties of tea. If you need to buy tea, you can find most types of tea either in tea bag or loose-leaf form. Some of these teas most stores will have stock of. For some of the herbal teas, you may need to go to a health store or tea shop. You can also shop for tea online.
There will also be brewing instructions on most boxes of tea. If not, generally, to be safe you can go with 3-5 minutes of brewing, but some teas such as black tea and green tea can become very bitter if they are brewed for longer than 3 minutes. This isnt bad for your diarrhea, but it if you dont like bitter flavors you may not enjoy the tea. Herbal teas can take longer to brew, usually 5-7 minutes.
Here are some of the best teas for diarrhea:
Recommended Reading: Does Mustard Help Get Rid Of Heartburn
What Should I Eat If I Have Diarrhea
If you have diarrhea, you may lose your appetite for a short time. In most cases, when your appetite returns, you can go back to eating your normal diet. Parents and caretakers should give children with diarrhea their usual age-appropriate diet and give infants breast milk or formula.
Your doctor may recommend changing your diet to treat some causes of chronic diarrhea, such as lactose intolerance or celiac disease.
Also Check: When Is The Best Time To Drink Probiotics
Does Diarrhea Get Rid Of Virus
It is your body’s way of quickly clearing viruses, bacteria, or toxins from the digestive tract. Since most cases of acute diarrhea are viral, the symptoms will clear up in a few days with good home treatment. However, diarrhea that lasts longer than a few days may be a sign of a more serious health condition.
What To Eat When You Have Diarrhea
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Heres our process.
Whether your diarrhea is caused by allergies, food poisoning, a chronic condition like irritable bowel syndrome, or something else, diet and diarrhea are intricately linked.
Even if you have long-term conditions that affect the digestive system, the diet you eat can greatly affect your comfort levels.
When youre experiencing an episode of diarrhea, there are certain foods that you can eat to help your digestive system get back on track. There are also certain foods that you should avoid.
Read Also: Do Eggs Make You Bloated
Is Cheese Good For Diarrhea
There are numerous foods that can cause diarrhea even if people dont have any intolerance or allergy the specific triggers may upset your stomach Some people have lactose intolerance under which some people do not have enzymes that breakdown certain sugars available in dairy products instead of breaking it down your body disposes these sugars very quickly in the form of diarrhea that is why it is advised not to consume milk and other dairy products such as milk and cheese You may eat other products for few days such as bread, pasta, white rice, cereals, cream of wheat, oatmeal and corn flakes. Yogurt is a dairy product and its the best dairy product that can be consumed in diarrhea .
Bottom Line:
Diarrhea episodes are truly uncomfortable your body gets exhausted easily keep drinking plenty of healthy fluids to maintain hydration, very commonly diarrhea last only for a few days and get over easily with home treatments and with proper intake of simple diet, increased fluid intake and using over the counter medicine if required but if your body does not respond to these treatments after 2 to 3 days of diarrhea a person must visit its medical service provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
How Can Diarrhea Be Prevented
Prevention of diarrhea depends on the underlying cause. If medications are causing a person to experience diarrhea, an alternative form or type of medication should be explored, especially when diarrhea is chronic. Some people who are malnourished or on bowel rest, may experience diarrhea for the first few days when starting to eat again because the bowel walls ability to function decreases when it is not used and resumes normal function slowly. Consult your physician to determine the underlying cause and treatment for your diarrhea, especially if there is any associated pain, blood, or distension.
Recommended Reading: What Is Good For Toddler Constipation
What Should I Cook For Diarrhea
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best dietary approach for diarrhea may vary depending on the underlying cause. However, in general, it is often recommended to consume foods that are easy to digest and that contain plenty of fluids and electrolytes to help replace any losses. Some specific examples of foods that may be suitable for people with diarrhea include clear soups, cooked cereals, crackers, banana, rice, and boiled potatoes. It is also important to avoid dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, and spicy or greasy foods, as these can all worsen diarrhea symptoms.
When you have diarrhea, knowing what to eat can help you feel better faster. As part of your diarrhea diet, you can rest in your bowels and restore your bodys fluid and electrolyte balance. Diarrhea can be caused by drinking milk, coffee, juice, or alcohol, which can agitate it. Only for a few days will you be required to consume the diarrhea diet. soluble fiber dissolves in water, lowering cholesterol and improving blood sugar levels. The skin of an apple contains insoluble fibers that can upset your digestive system, making it a better choice than applesauce. Oat bran contains soluble fiber, which can firm and thicken the stool in order to reduce diarrhea.
Fight Inflammation With Fish Oil
Fish oil can benefit not only your heart, but your digestive tract as well because the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil tamp down inflammation. To start, you can try to move toward a Mediterranean diet and add fatty fish like salmon, halibut, and mackerel to your diet.
What doctors and researchers know now is that people with irritable bowel syndrome , one of the most common reasons for visiting a gastroenterologist, may not be consuming enough of the omega-3 fatty acids from fish. In a small study published in 2017 the journal Medicine, researchers looked at the level of fatty acids in 30 Asian women with IBS versus 39 Asian women without the disorder. They found that women with IBS not only had higher levels of depression, but they also had higher levels of unhealthy saturated fats in their blood, and lower levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
While a study published in December 2020 in Gut Microbes found that six weeks of taking omega-3 supplements induced small changes in the composition of the gut microbiome, supporting the theory that omega-3 fatty acids could have a prebiotic effect on the gut, but more research is needed to understand its role and mechanism in the gut.
Recommended Reading: Do Peanuts Cause Gas And Bloating
Soothe Your Tummy With Tumeric
Tumeric, a spice loaded with curcumin, has anti-inflammatory properties shown to help in a range of conditions triggered by inflammation, including heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease , and even depression, according to a paper published in November 2021 in Drug Design, Development and Therapy. The research also noted that curcumin helps regulate the gut microbiota, bring relief to people with IBD, and reduce inflammation that could likely lead to colon cancer.
Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory that can help soothe the digestive tract when you are suffering from an inflammation-related issue, says Finkel.
The Diagnosis: Cold Flu Or Fever
What to avoid?
Spinach: Histamine is a chemical that is produced in the body and triggers allergy symptoms when something triggers and releases it.
The release of histamine triggers an inflammatory response, which may further worsen congestion, fatigue, and other common cold or flu symptoms.
Histamine is also found in many foods and there are foods that do not have histamine themselves but are considered to release it, for example spinach, and also strawberries, tomatoes and citrus fruits.
Nuts: They do contain important nutrients that help the body fight infection, such as zinc and vitamin E, but since nuts are rich in fats, your body will have to work harder to digest them.
This can cause a mess in the stomach and a waste of energy that is more needed to fight the infection.
Oh, and nuts are also considered histamine releasers.
Broccoli: This is a healthy and effective vegetable, thanks to the nutrients in it that strengthen the immune system, such as vitamins A and C, but it is also rich in dietary fiber, which may be problematic for digestion when sick.
To avoid irritating the digestive tract, low-fiber foods are currently preferred, which will allow the body to focus on clearing the infection.
We are always in favor of it, but when you are sick – go for Gamba.
Broccoli
So what to eat?
Red peppers: They contain a compound called quercetin, which is a strong antioxidant and a determined fighter against viruses and inflammation.
Also Check: Can Probiotics Help You Lose Weight
Food And Beverage Recommendations For Diarrhea Symptoms
The best diet to follow when you have diarrhea is one that goes easy on your digestive system and helps bind stools. Knowing what to eat when you have diarrhea cannot only help prevent your condition from getting worse, but ensure that you get the nutrition you need to support your recovering body.
The diarrhea diet has a lot in common with the well-known BRAT diet, which is used for a variety of digestive concerns. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, and youll find these items and others amongst the recommendations.
This article lists the specific foods you should reach for if you have diarrhea and how they can help you. It also offers cooking and other tips, and reviews some side effects you may experience.
Verywell / Zorica Lakonic
What Not To Drink
Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soda, may overstimulate the digestive system and make the symptoms worse.
Carbonated drinks may also irritate or contribute to other symptoms, such as bloating and cramps. People should also avoid alcohol when dealing with diarrhea.
Although many sports drinks contain electrolytes that may help with dehydration, they often have added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Coconut water and electrolyte-enhanced water are good alternatives.
You May Like: What Foods Are Good For Constipation
What Diet Changes May Help
If you have chronic diarrhea, it is a good idea to keep a food diary. This can help you identify problem foods, difficult times of the day, and symptoms. You should share your food symptom diary with your healthcare provider or dietitian. This will help them see if there are any foods causing your symptoms.
Things You Should Avoid Eating Or Drinking
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.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks.
Limit or cut out milk and other dairy products if they are making your diarrhea worse or causing gas and bloating.
You May Like: Is Diarrhea A Symptom Of Std
What To Drink When You Have Diarrhea
To help prevent worsening diarrhea symptoms, its important to manage your condition with what you drink. Not only can different foods cause diarrhea, but for some people, certain drinks can also be the cause of diarrhea or worsen symptoms.
When looking at your diet to identify trigger foods, remember to also note what youre drinking. For example, coffee causes diarrhea in some cases. Take a look at the list below for drinks that can trigger or worsen diarrhea.
- Sweetened drinks: Drinks with high concentrations of sugar and juices containing fructose may worsen diarrhea.
- Diet drinks: Drinks and gums containing sweeteners such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol may worsen diarrhea.
- Caffeine: The caffeine in coffee and teaas well as many soft drinkshas been identified as a trigger for some people. If you enjoy a hot drink, consider opting for a decaffeinated option.
- Alcohol: Your favorite alcoholic beverage might worsen your diarrhea. Establish which drinks disagree with you and prove problematicand avoid them.
Follow The Brat Diet To Get Better
Myth. Bland “BRAT” foods — bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast — were once recommended to treat diarrhea. But BRAT foods don’t have enough of other nutrients you need, like protein and fat. You can eat bland foods for the first day or so. But you should return to your normal diet as soon as you can.
Don’t Miss: Do Probiotics Cure Yeast Infections
Is Milk Good For Diarrhea
Eating When you Have Diarrhea Uselow-fat milk, cheese, or yogurt. If you have very severe diarrhea, you may need to stop eating or drinking dairy products for a few days. Eat bread products made from refined, white flour. Pasta, white rice, and cereals such as cream of wheat, farina, oatmeal, and cornflakes are OK.
Feeling Better After Diarrhea
While replacing lost fluids and nutrients is crucial for proper rehydration, quickly relieving your diarrhea is the best way to avoid potentially dangerous dehydration.
As soon as you experience diarrhea symptoms, consider taking DiaResQ, a food for special dietary use that supports your bodys natural immune response, providing beneficial nutrients and immune factors that help to relieve diarrhea and restore normal intestinal function. DiaResQ taken with an ORS is a safe way to relieve diarrhea quickly, without the use of drugs. Relieve diarrhea and properly rehydrate your body quickly, so you can get back to your normal routine.
Also Check: What To Do During Ibs Flare
Read Also: What Do Harmful Bacteria Do In The Gut Microbiome
What You Can Do: Improving Your Eating Behavior
Eat BRAT diet foods
In addition to bananas, rice, applesauce and toast, other foods that fall into the BRAT diet are:
- Soups: clear broth, such as chicken, vegetable or beef
- Liquids: cranberry, apple and grape juice, tea , water
- Snacks: canned peaches, pears, sweet potatoes, crackers, cream of wheat, eggs, gelatin, oatmeal, creamy peanut butter
Tips to improve your eating behavior when youre experiencing diarrhea
- Drink at least one cup of liquid after each loose bowel movement. Try water, sports drinks or bouillon.
- Avoid high-fiber foods, such as nuts, whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.
- Drink liquids at room temperature. This may be easier to take than very hot or cold drinks.
- Eat small, frequent meals and snacks.
- Avoid greasy, fried, spicy or very sweet foods.
- Limit milk or milk products to two cups a day.
- Drink and eat high-sodium foods like broths, soups, sports drinks, crackers and pretzels.
- Drink and eat high-potassium foods like fruit juices and nectars, sports drinks, potatoes with the skin and bananas.
- Do not chew sugar-free gum or eat candies and desserts made with sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol.
Recipes