Diarrhoea can be an uncomfortable and disruptive experience. When it hits, knowing what to eat and what to avoid can make a significant difference in easing your symptoms and speeding up recovery. This guide explores the best foods to help stop diarrhoea, offering practical dietary advice for quick relief.
Foods to Eat When You Have Diarrhoea
When dealing with diarrhoea, a bland, easily digestible diet is key. Certain foods have a binding effect that can help firm up stools and ease digestive distress. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can also reduce stress on your digestive system.
1. Bread and Toast
Refined white bread, like toast, is easily digestible and can help bind stools. Avoid whole grains, which are harder to digest and can exacerbate diarrhoea.
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2. Plain Pasta
Similar to toast, plain pasta is gentle on the stomach and helps to solidify stools. Saltine crackers and pretzels can also have a similar effect.
3. White Potatoes
Boiled or steamed plain white potatoes are a good option. Skip the skin, as it can be difficult to digest. Cooked carrots and squash are also suitable choices.
4. Bananas
Bananas are easily digestible and a key component of the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast). They are also a good source of potassium, an essential electrolyte often lost during diarrhoea.
5. Applesauce
Applesauce, especially without the skin, is easier to digest than raw apples. It contains pectin, which aids in binding stools. Canned pears are another gentle fruit choice.
6. Cereals
Hot cereals like farina (milled wheat) are easy to digest and often fortified with vitamins. Oatmeal, rich in soluble fiber, can also help firm stools.
7. Lean Protein
Skinless chicken breast is an excellent source of lean protein. Other options include fat-free cuts of turkey, beef, pork, and fish. Soft-cooked eggs are also a good choice.
8. Low-Fat Yogurt
Despite dairy generally being discouraged, low-fat yogurt with live cultures is an exception. It contains probiotics that help restore the balance of good bacteria in your gut, aiding digestion. Kefir is another probiotic-rich option.
Foods to Avoid When You Have Diarrhoea
Certain foods can worsen diarrhoea symptoms and should be avoided until you feel better.
1. Dairy
Limit dairy products, except for yogurt and kefir. Lactose, the sugar in dairy, can be difficult to digest and can aggravate diarrhoea.
2. Whole Grains
Avoid oatmeal, brown rice, and whole wheat bread, as these contain the bran and germ of the grain, which can be hard to digest.
3. Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds can worsen diarrhoea. Beans and legumes, including lentils, should also be avoided.
4. Raw Vegetables
Raw vegetables and dried fruit are harder to digest. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower can cause gas and bloating. Also, skip corn, onion, and garlic.
5. Fried and Fatty Foods
Avoid fatty red meat, processed meats, and fried foods, including potato chips. These are high in saturated fat and can be difficult to digest.
6. Butters and Sauces
Nut butters, regular butter, sauces, gravy, mayonnaise, and heavy spices can exacerbate symptoms.
7. Sugar-Free Candy
Avoid treats made with artificial sweeteners like sorbitol, xylitol, or erythritol, as they have a laxative effect. Also, avoid ice cream, baked goods, pudding, and whipped topping.
What Should You Drink When You Have Diarrhoea?
Staying hydrated is crucial when you have diarrhoea.
- Good Options: Plain water, coconut water, electrolyte-rich sports drinks (low in sugar), clear bone broth, weakly brewed decaffeinated tea, and kefir.
- Beverages to Avoid: Caffeinated coffee and tea, citrus fruit juices, sodas, alcohol, carbonated drinks, and extremely hot or cold drinks.
Ice pops, especially those like Pedialyte freezer pops, can help prevent dehydration, particularly in children.
Benefits of a Diarrhoea Diet
A temporary, restrictive diet can help bind watery stools, allow your bowels to rest, and restore lost fluids and electrolytes. Foods high in soluble fiber, such as potatoes, bananas, and refined wheat, absorb fluid in the gut, slowing digestion.
This diet is best for short-term treatment of occasional diarrhoea and can help manage flare-ups in chronic conditions like IBS and IBD.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Consult a healthcare provider if your diarrhoea persists, or if you experience other symptoms like fever, fatigue, or difficulty breathing. Also, ask about anti-diarrheal medications, as they can be dangerous in certain conditions.
If symptoms improve by day three, gradually reintroduce other foods into your diet over one to two weeks.
Summary
Managing occasional diarrhoea often involves adjusting your diet for a few days. Focus on bland, binding foods that are gentle on your digestive system, and ensure ample hydration. For babies and toddlers, consult a healthcare provider before making dietary changes. Restrictive diets can be harmful to small children, so professional guidance is essential.
