Diet to Relieve Diarrhea- What general guidelines should I follow?
When you have diarrhea, the foods you eat and your eating habits are very important. Choosing the right foods and drinks can help:
- Relieve diarrhea.
- Replace lost fluids and nutrients.
- Prevent dehydration.
Relieving diarrhea
- Choose foods with less than 2 g or .07 oz. of fiber per serving.
- Limit fats to less than 8 tsp (38 g or 1.34 oz.) a day.
- Avoid
the following:
- Foods and beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, honey, or sugar alcohols such as xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol.
- Foods that contain a lot of fat or sugar.
- Fried, greasy, or spicy foods.
- High-fiber grains, breads, and cereals.
- Raw fruits and vegetables.
- Eat foods that are rich in probiotics. These foods include dairy products such as yogurt and fermented milk products. They help increase healthy bacteria in the stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal tract, or GI tract).
- If you have lactose intolerance, avoid dairy products. These may make your diarrhea worse.
- Take medicine to help stop diarrhea (antidiarrheal medicine) only as told by your health care provider.
Replacing nutrients
- Eat small meals or snacks every 3–4 hours.
- Eat
bland foods, such as white rice, toast, or baked potato, until your
diarrhea starts to get better. Gradually reintroduce nutrient-rich foods
as tolerated or as told by your health care provider. This includes:
- Well-cooked protein foods.
- Peeled, seeded, and soft-cooked fruits and vegetables.
- Low-fat dairy products.
- Take vitamin and mineral supplements as told by your health care provider.
Preventing dehydration
- Start by sipping water or a special solution to prevent dehydration (oral rehydration solution, ORS). Urine that is clear or pale yellow means that you are getting enough fluid.
- Try to drink at least 8–10 cups of fluid each day to help replace lost fluids.
- You may add other liquids in addition to water, such as clear juice or decaffeinated sports drinks, as tolerated or as told by your health care provider.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, or soft drinks.
- Avoid alcohol.
What foods are recommended?
The items listed may not be a complete list. Talk with your health care provider about what dietary choices are best for you.
Grains
White rice. White, French, or pita breads (fresh or toasted), including plain rolls, buns, or bagels. White pasta. Saltine, soda, or graham crackers. Pretzels. Low-fiber cereal. Cooked cereals made with water (such as cornmeal, farina, or cream cereals). Plain muffins. Matzo. Melba toast. Zwieback.
Vegetables
Potatoes (without the skin). Most well-cooked and canned vegetables without skins or seeds. Tender lettuce.
Fruits
Apple sauce. Fruits canned in juice. Cooked apricots, cherries, grapefruit, peaches, pears, or plums. Fresh bananas and cantaloupe.
Meats and other protein foods
Baked or boiled chicken. Eggs. Tofu. Fish. Seafood. Smooth nut butters. Ground or well-cooked tender beef, ham, veal, lamb, pork, or poultry.
Dairy
Plain yogurt, kefir, and unsweetened liquid yogurt. Lactose-free milk, buttermilk, skim milk, or soy milk. Low-fat or nonfat hard cheese.
Beverages
Water. Low-calorie sports drinks. Fruit juices without pulp. Strained tomato and vegetable juices. Decaffeinated teas. Sugar-free beverages not sweetened with sugar alcohols. Oral rehydration solutions, if approved by your health care provider.
Seasoning 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 your health care provider about what dietary choices are best for you.
Grains
Whole grain, whole wheat, bran, or rye breads, rolls, pastas, and crackers. Wild or brown rice. Whole grain or bran cereals. Barley. Oats and oatmeal. Corn tortillas or taco shells. Granola. Popcorn.
Vegetables
Raw vegetables. Fried vegetables. Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, artichokes, baked beans, beet greens, corn, kale, legumes, peas, sweet potatoes, and yams. Potato skins. Cooked spinach and cabbage.
Fruits
Dried fruit, including raisins and dates. Raw fruits. Stewed or dried prunes. Canned fruits with syrup.
Meat 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
Caffeinated beverages (such as coffee, tea, soda, or energy drinks). Alcoholic beverages. Fruit juices with pulp. Prune juice. Soft drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup or sugar alcohols. 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 you have diarrhea, the foods you eat and your eating habits are very important.
- Make sure you get at least 8–10 cups of fluid each day, or enough to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
- Eat bland foods and gradually reintroduce healthy, nutrient-rich foods as tolerated, or as told by your health care provider.
- Avoid high-fiber, fried, greasy, or spicy foods.
