What To Eat When You Have Diarrhea

 Diarrhea can be caused by a number of things, ranging from food poisoning to a stomach virus. Regardless of the cause, it's important to make sure you're eating the right things when you have diarrhea so that your body can recover quickly. Check out this article for a list of foods to eat (and avoid) when you have diarrhea.

The BRAT Diet

If you have diarrhea, your best bet is to stick to the BRAT diet. This stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. These foods are all easy on the stomach and will help to firm up your stool. Avoid dairy, fatty foods, spicy foods, and caffeine. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to prevent dehydration.

The Low-FODMAP Diet

If you have diarrhea, you may want to try the low-FODMAP diet. This diet is designed to help reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The low-FODMAP diet eliminates or limits foods that contain certain types of carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are called FODMAPs, which stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.

FODMAPs include:

• Fructose: found in honey, apples, and high-fructose corn syrup

• Lactose: found in milk and dairy products

• Fructans: found in wheat, garlic, and onion

• Galactans: found in legumes such as beans and lentils

• Polyols: found in sugar alcohols such as sorbitol and xylitol

If you have IBS, eliminating or limiting these foods may help reduce your symptoms. The low-FODMAP diet is typically followed for a period of 6-8 weeks. After this time, you can slowly start to reintroduce these foods back into your diet to see how your body reacts.

The Clear Liquid Diet

If you have diarrhea, your body is trying to tell you that it needs a break from solid food. That's why the clear liquid diet is often recommended as a way to help your digestive system recover.

Clear liquids are easy to digest and can help to rehydrate your body. They include water, clear broths, gelatin, diluted juice, and sports drinks. You should avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can worsen diarrhea.

The clear liquid diet can be followed for a day or two until your diarrhea improves. If you're still having trouble after that, you may need to see a doctor or nutritionist to develop a more long-term plan.

The Full Liquid Diet

If you have diarrhea, your doctor may recommend a full liquid diet. This means that you will need to consume only liquids or foods that have been liquefied or strained. You may also need to avoid dairy products, high-fiber foods, spicy foods, and caffeine.

A full liquid diet can help to rest your digestive system and allow your body to heal. It can also help to prevent dehydration. When following a full liquid diet, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat foods that are high in electrolytes, such as clear soups, sports drinks, and juices.

The Bland Diet

If you have diarrhea, you may be wondering what the best diet is to help you feel better. Many people find that a bland diet helps to ease the symptoms of diarrhea. A bland diet consists of simple, easily-digestible foods that are low in fiber. Bland foods are typically soft, low in fat, and not very spicy.

Some examples of foods that you may eat on a bland diet include:

-Cooked cereals such as oatmeal or rice cereal
-Cooked vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, or green beans
-Plain or buttered toast
-Baked or broiled chicken or fish
-Plain yogurt or cottage cheese
-Fruit juice
-Popsicles
-Clear soup broth

When to seek medical attention

If you have any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor right away:

• Fever
• Severe abdominal pain
• Blood in your stool
• Dehydration
• Black or tarry stools

If you have diarrhea, it is important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of clear fluids, such as water, clear broths, frozen water or ice pops, or sports drinks (such as Gatorade). Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and dairy products.

Conclusion

When you have diarrhea, it is important to pay attention to what you eat. There are certain foods that can help ease the symptoms of diarrhea and make you feel better faster. Some of the best foods to eat when you have diarrhea include BRAT foods (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast), clear liquids like water and broth, and probiotic-rich foods like yogurt. Avoiding greasy, fatty, or spicy foods can also help lessen the symptoms of diarrhea. If your diarrhea persists for more than a few days or if you experience severe abdominal pain, be sure to see your doctor.