10 Foods To Never Eat When You Have Diarrhea & 10 That Get You Back To Normal
10 Foods To Never Eat When You Have Diarrhea & 10 That Get You Back To Normal
Get Yourself Off the Toilet
Diarrhea is an unpleasant experience that comes from any number of things: a bad meal, flu symptoms…sometimes just nerves. Regardless of how you got it, the only thing on your mind now should be how to get rid of it! While we're all for eating comfort food, some dishes only worsen your symptoms, and we're here to break down which ones you should ditch and which ones you need.
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1. Dairy Products
Dairy products don’t just affect the lactose-intolerant. If you’re running in and out of the bathroom, you should also keep far away from things like cheese and milk. Diarrhea can impact your ability to digest lactose, which means that on top of everything else, you’ll run the risk of bloating or cramping, too.
2. Spicy Foods
Let's be honest: depending on your stomach's sensitivity, spicy foods may cause diarrhea all on their own. Unfortunately, that's all the more reason to keep away when you already suffer the symptoms. If you have the runs, spicy foods are the last thing your system needs; the heat only irritates your stomach lining further.
3. Coffee
Coffee often regulates our bathroom schedule, but when yours is disrupted, caffeine only makes things worse. Not only does it exacerbate symptoms of diarrhea, but it can also dehydrate you even more, which isn’t what you want. Replenish your fluids and don't make things harder for yourself!
4. Onions
Believe it or not, raw vegetables don't always help, either. They’re natural sources of fiber, and typically that’s great—but in this case, too much fiber upsets your stomach all the more. Onions in particular are well-known troublemakers for gas and bloating, so keep away until you feel better.
5. Fast Food
Another day, another instance where fast food lets us down. If you have diarrhea, you really shouldn’t eat overly greasy or fatty foods. On a good day, they’ll make our stomachs rumble. On a bad day, they’ll flush right through our system. Super greasy foods can also cause additional cramping, which is the last thing you need.
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6. Alcohol
Alcohol is a huge no-no if you have diarrhea because it just bothers your intestines. It can prolong your symptoms and may even throw in gas and bloating. It also lacks any nutrients your body needs, so it's completely pointless, too. Do yourself a favor and ignore it.
7. Artificial Sweeteners
When you have the runs, artificially sweetened drinks seem safer for your stomach—but they aren’t. Common sweeteners found in diet sodas or sugar-free candies sit in the gut and can cause bloating or further stomach upset. It's best to stick with water or sugar-free Gatorade while you recover.
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8. Beans
Beans are packed with fiber and an innate ability to give us gas, neither of which you want right now. Keep them locked in the pantry until you feel better; indulging will most likely make you feel worse. For some unlucky people, beans also cause enough trips to the bathroom, so you don't need double the trouble!
9. Carbonated Drinks
Bubbly beverages can upset our digestive system even when we’re healthy. But with diarrhea, the excess gas and bloating from carbonated drinks lead to more discomfort. Don't think you're safe with carbonated water, either; those bubbles won't do you any favors.
10. Acidic Foods
Fruits might seem safe, but many of them harbor damaging acidity that worsens symptoms. Common culprits like gapefruit, lemons, or oranges boast way too much vitamin C, which can actually aggravate looming GI upset. It’s even worse if you already have a sensitive stomach.
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We know it seems like all the fun stuff is off the table. However, you can still indulge in plenty of healthy foods that stop diarrhea in its tracks. Let's take a look at a few options you ought to keep on the menu.
1. Bananas
Bananas are a one-stop-shop for anyone with diarrhea because they’re packed with potassium, easy on stomachs, and have enough fiber to help bulk up your BM. Careful not to eat too many as overindulging can have the opposite effect, but munching on one or two can help plug the dam.
2. White Rice
White rice is safe to eat when you have diarrhea because there’s nothing to it! It doesn't have as much fiber as whole grains, but harbors just enough to alleviate symptoms and push for a successful bathroom break. It bulks up your stool and is also nice and easy to digest.
3. Broth
Diarrhea may flush out a lot of bad stuff, but it also takes the good stuff with it. Nutrients are often lost and you’re left dehydrated, which is why it’s important to replenish them. Broth is a safe way to get back some sodium and stay hydrated.
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4. Applesauce
Applesauce is a key player of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast! It's your holy grail food list when you're under the weather because they're easily digested and gentle on your system. Applesauce is also full of pectin, the same soluble fiber found in bananas.
5. Boiled Eggs
Eggs are full of the protein and nutrients your body desperately needs right now, so don’t be afraid to boil a couple. They’re soft on stomachs and boost energy without upsetting your system, and they're also a low-calorie option that can enjoyed throughout the day.
6. Ginger
There’s a reason you find ginger in so many OTC medications. It's a natural healer of diarrhea and has been known to alleviate GI upset, such as bloating or painful gas. It can also lower the number of times you head for the toilet, giving you a nice break from the toilet paper.
7. White Toast
The next time someone recommends plain white toast for an upset stomach, listen to their advice! It’s one of the go-to foods because it’s an easy way to get carbs without any triggering ingredients. Try not to slather it with butter or high-sugar spreads like Nutella and jam, either. Stick with plain toast or a bit of margarine for an easy meal.
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8. Soda Crackers
Speaking of bland foods, plain soda crackers are another widely sought-after food! They're a wonderful, low-calorie option that goes smooth; they don't have a ton of fiber, they're easy to digest, and they don't have a ton of additives that hurt your system. They're also a great way to score carbs.
9. Boiled Potatoes
We’re not done with the bland foods yet! Boiled potatoes are another terrific option for anyone in need of carbs and something easy on the GI tract. They also have a ton of potassium, which your body needs after so many trips to the bathroom. Just be sure you keep any butter or seasoning out of them.
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10. Pedialyte
Symptoms of diarrhea can also be treated with Pedialyte. Empty systems are often low on nutrients and electrolytes, and Pedialyte is a good way to get them back. It also keeps you hydrated, which is a crucial need for anyone stuck on the toilet!
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