These foods have a binding effect in the digestive tract to make stools bulkier. Along with these items, you could also eat similarly bland saltine crackers, clear broth, and potatoes. Viral gastroenteritis stomach flu is one cause of diarrhea. Along with watery stools, you may have:. These viruses include norovirus and rotavirus , which can develop after eating or drinking contaminated food, or sharing personal items with an infected person.
Sensitivity to certain medications can also trigger bouts of diarrhea. This may happen after taking antibiotics , pain relievers , or cancer-fighting drugs. Also called food poisoning , diarrhea can develop if you eat food contaminated by bacteria, parasites, or toxins. Food-borne illnesses can include those caused by the following bacteria:. These include milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt.
Having a food allergy or sensitivity may also trigger diarrhea. For example, you may have diarrhea after eating foods containing gluten — wheat, pasta, or rye.
This is a lesser known cause of diarrhea. Artificial sweeteners are found in diet drinks, sugar-free products, chewing gum, and even some candy. Diarrhea is sometimes a symptom of digestive disorders. Also, irritable bowel syndrome can cause alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation. If you have diarrhea after starting a new medication, ask your doctor about an alternative drug or possibly lowering your dosage.
You can also protect yourself by thoroughly cooking food and washing fruits and vegetables before preparing. Also, make sure you know the proper way to wash your hands.
Use warm, soapy water and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. To identify possible food allergies or sensitivities, keep a food journal and write down everything you eat for a few weeks. Make a note of days that you have diarrhea. Keeping a food journal can help determine whether you have a lactose intolerance or a gluten sensitivity.
You can then try an elimination diet. Remove suspected problem foods from your diet and see if your symptoms improve. You may need to adjust your medication. See a doctor for diarrhea that lasts longer than three days, or if you show signs of dehydration.
This can include extreme thirst, decreased urination, and dizziness. Diarrhea can come and go within 24 hours. Eating five to six small meals, rather than three large ones, can give your intestines a chance to digest the food more easily.
Prepare foods like beef, pork, chicken, fish, or turkey by baking or broiling, not frying, which can worsen diarrhea. Cooked eggs are okay, too, according to the U.
National Library of Medicine. Do eat when hunger strikes. Trust your body to tell you when — and how much — it can tolerate, notes Ganjhu. Eating gassy food when you have diarrhea can increase intestinal gas and should be avoided.
This includes fruits and vegetables, like prunes, berries , beans, peas, broccoli, corn, and green leafy vegetables, and sweet foods like cookies or cakes. For people with lactose intolerance , dairy causes diarrhea. But if you can tolerate dairy, opt for low-fat milk, cheese, or yogurt. Probiotics contain beneficial lactic acid bacteria, which are special microorganisms that can restore the balance lost by diarrhea. You can also consider taking a probiotic supplement; but since there are many strains available, look for one that helps with diarrhea, advises Ganjhu.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology reports Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii to be among the two most effective strains to help with diarrhea. Do wash your hands. Since diarrhea can sometimes be transmitted by person-to-person contact or from contaminated hands, washing your hands after using the bathroom and before you eat can help block possible diarrhea-causing pathogens.
Research published in September in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that handwashing can reduce episodes of diarrhea by about 30 percent. To wash properly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommends wetting your hands, then applying soap and rubbing them together for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to include the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. These foods may be especially helpful on the first day of dealing with diarrhea.
Eating many small meals throughout the day can help keep the digestive system from becoming overworked. Probiotic foods, such as yogurt and kefir, may help in some cases, but in others, probiotics may irritate the digestive system even more.
Probiotics aid digestion by improving the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. However, dairy products can irritate the digestive system, so a person may wish to try non-dairy sources of probiotics, such as miso or sauerkraut.
Liquids are also vital to recovery. People with diarrhea must drink plenty of water throughout the day and should drink an additional cup of water after every loose bowel movement. Drinking plenty of water helps prevent dehydration and flush any toxins out of the body. However, as well as water, the body also loses minerals and electrolytes through diarrhea.
People should try to drink liquids containing minerals and electrolytes to replenish those lost. Sources of electrolytes and minerals include:. Spicy ingredients can act as irritants in the digestive system. This is why people dealing with diarrhea should stick to bland foods, as they pose the least risk of agitating the digestive system. It is not advisable to eat foods high in fat or oil when recovering from diarrhea.
Added fats and oils from frying can be difficult for the sensitive digestive system to process and will likely make symptoms worse. Sugars that pass into the colon may disrupt the already sensitive bacteria there, making diarrhea worse.
This includes fruit juices and high-sugar fruits. People with diarrhea should also avoid artificial sweeteners, as some can have a laxative effect. It may also help to avoid too much fiber. Fiber helps keep the digestive system active. Usually, this is a good thing, but when the body is trying to recover from diarrhea, fiber may make symptoms worse.
Soluble fibers, such as the pectin found in apples and bananas, can actually help a person recover from diarrhea, but a person should still try to limit their intake at least for the first day of symptoms. Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee , tea, and soda, may overstimulate the digestive system and make symptoms worse. Carbonated drinks may also irritate or contribute to other symptoms, such as bloating and cramps.
People should also avoid alcohol while dealing with diarrhea. While many sports drinks contain electrolytes that may help with dehydration, they often contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Coconut water or electrolyte-enhanced water are good alternatives.
In addition to following a diet that will help relieve diarrhea, there are several other remedies a person can take to make a swift recovery. Other diarrhea treatments include bismuth subsalicylate Pepto Bismol and Ioperamide Imodium.
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