Diet for your child with Diarrhea
When your child has watery poop (diarrhea), the foods he or she eats are important. Making sure your child drinks enough is also important. Work with your child’s doctor or a nutrition specialist (dietitian) to make sure your child gets the foods and fluids he or she needs.
What general guidelines should I follow?
Stopping diarrhea
- Do
notgive your child foods that cause diarrhea to become worse. These
foods may include:
- Sweet foods that contain alcohols called xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol.
- Foods that have a lot of sugar and fat.
- Foods that have a lot of fiber, such as grains, breads, and cereals.
- Raw fruits and vegetables.
- Give your child foods that help his or her poop become thicker. These include applesauce, rice, toast, pasta, and crackers.
- Give your child foods with probiotics. These include yogurt and kefir. Probiotics have live bacteria that are useful in the body.
- Do notgive your child foods that are very hot or cold.
- Do not give milk or dairy products to children with lactose intolerance.
Giving fluids and nutrition
- Have your child eat small meals every 3–4 hours.
- Give children over 6 months old solid foods that are okay for their age.
- You may give healthy regular foods, if they do not make diarrhea worse.
- Give your child vitamin and mineral supplements as told by the doctor.
- Give infants and young children breast milk or formula as usual.
- Do
notgive babies younger than 1 year old:
- Juice.
- Sports drinks.
- Soda.
- Give your child enough liquids to keep his or her pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
- Offer
your child water or a solution to prevent dehydration (oral rehydration
solution, ORS).
- Give an ORS only if approved by your child’s doctor.
- Do not give water to children younger than 6 months.
Do notgive your child drinks with caffeine, bubbles (carbonation), or sugar alcohols.
What foods are recommended?
The items listed may not be a complete list. Talk with a doctor about what dietary choices are best for your child.
Only give your child foods that are okay for his or her age. If you have any questions about a food item, talk to your child’s dietitian or doctor.
Grains
Breads and products made with white flour. Noodles. White rice. Saltines. Pretzels. Oatmeal. Cold cereal. Graham crackers.
Vegetables
Mashed potatoes without skin. Well-cooked vegetables without seeds or skins.
Fruits
Melon. Applesauce. Banana. Soft fruits canned in juice.
Meats and other protein foods
Hard-boiled egg. Soft, well-cooked meats. Fish, egg, or soy products made without added fat. Smooth nut butters.
Dairy
Breast milk or infant formula. Buttermilk. Evaporated, powdered, skim, and low-fat milk. Soy milk. Lactose-free milk. Yogurt with live active cultures. Low-fat or nonfat hard cheese.
Beverages
Caffeine-free beverages. Oral rehydration solutions, if your child’s doctor approves. Strained vegetable juice. Juice without pulp (children over 1 year old only).
Seasonings and other foods
Bouillon, broth, or soups made from recommended foods.
What foods are not recommended?
The items listed may not be a complete list. Talk with a doctor about what dietary choices are best for your child.
Grains
Whole wheat or whole grain breads, rolls, crackers, or pasta. Brown or wild rice. Barley, oats, and other whole grains. Cereals made from whole grain or bran. Breads or cereals made with seeds or nuts. Popcorn.
Vegetables
Raw vegetables. Fried vegetables. Beets. Broccoli. Brussels sprouts. Cabbage. Cauliflower. Collard, mustard, and turnip greens. Corn. Potato skins.
Fruits
Dried fruit, including raisins and dates. Raw fruits. Stewed or dried prunes. Canned fruits with syrup.
Meats and other protein foods
Fried or fatty meats. Deli meats. Chunky nut butters. Nuts and seeds. Beans and lentils. Bacon. Hot dogs. Sausage.
Dairy
High-fat cheeses. Whole milk, chocolate milk, and beverages made with milk, such as milk shakes. Half-and-half. Cream. Sour cream. Ice cream.
Beverages
Beverages with caffeine, sorbitol, or high fructose corn syrup. Fruit juices with pulp. Prune juice. High-calorie sports drinks.
Fats and oils
Butter. Cream sauces. Margarine. Salad oils. Plain salad dressings. Olives. Avocados. Mayonnaise.
Sweets and desserts
Sweet rolls, doughnuts, and sweet breads. Sugar-free desserts sweetened with sugar alcohols such as xylitol and sorbitol.
Seasoning and other foods
Honey. Hot sauce. Chili powder. Gravy. Cream-based or milk-based soups. Pancakes and waffles.
Summary
- When your child has diarrhea, the foods he or she eats are important.
- Make sure your child gets enough fluids. Pee should be clear or pale yellow.
- Do not give juice, sports drinks, or soda to children younger than 1 year old. Only offer breast milk and formula to children younger than 6 months old. Water may be given to children older than 6 months old.
- Only give your child foods that are okay for his or her age. If you have any questions about a food item, talk to your child’s dietitian or doctor.
- Give your child bland foods and gradually re-introduce healthy, nutrient-rich foods as tolerated. Do not give your child high-fiber, fried, greasy, or spicy foods.
