What Foods to Eat if You Have Diabetes and Are Experiencing Diarrhea

The typical diarrhea diet — which generally includes simple starches like rice and toast — may clash with some of the dietary recommendations for people with diabetes. These foods can be high in carbohydrates and low in nutrients, protein, and fiber, according to Cleveland Clinic, and may lead to high blood sugar while offering relatively little nutritional value.

That doesn't mean that you must endure diarrhea just to stick to your meal plan. There are a number of foods beneficial to people with diabetes that also help you bounce back faster from diarrhea.

The BRAT Diet and Diabetes

The BRAT diet — bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast — is often recommended to people suffering from diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea or vomiting. If you're not very hungry and have a difficult time keeping food down, the theory goes, you should stick to bland simple foods, according to the PennState College of Medicine. These low-fiber foods can also help firm up your stools.

White rice and bread, which are highly processed starches, are not generally recommended in a diabetes-friendly diet. Fruits like bananas and applesauce, on the other hand, do provide nutrient-density and can be a part of a healthy diet for diabetes. But it's important to note that these fruits are mostly composed of carbohydrates and can increase blood sugar levels, so experts generally recommend limiting your portion sizes, according to Harvard Health.

But experts definitely don't want you sticking only to these exact four foods, says Cleveland Clinic. Instead, think of the BRAT diet as a reminder that certain types of foods work better with an upset stomach. There are other options that are similarly soft and bland that may be better choices for people with diabetes, such as:

• Bone broth and watery soups
• Oatmeal
• Potatoes
• Scrambled eggs
• Skinless turkey or chicken breast
• Cooked vegetables

Low-Fiber Foods

If you have diarrhea, some experts recommend initially sticking to a low-fiber diet, according to OncoLink.

While some low-fiber ingredients are not generally recommended to people with diabetes — such as white bread, crackers, and highly processed breakfast cereals — others might be good options. In addition to bananas and applesauce, people with diabetes could consider trying:

• Cooked fruits, like pears and peaches, with the skin and seeds removed
• Raw nonfibrous vegetables like green beans, asparagus, and summer squash
• Cooked fibrous vegetables, like broccoli and spinach, if boiled until soft
• Oatmeal and grits
• Smooth nut butters
• Dairy products
• Lean meat, poultry, fish, and eggs

Foods to Avoid

While you don't want to restrict your diet too much, the National Institutes of Health recommends avoiding certain types of food that may make diarrhea symptoms worse, including:

• Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages
• Sugary foods like soda, fruit juice, candy, and dessert
• Foods containing sugar alcohols, a zero-calorie sugar alternative often found in low-carb snacks and beverages
• Fatty foods
• Milk and dairy products that contain lactose, which can cause problems both during and after an attack of acute diarrhea

Luckily, many of the foods to avoid are already bad ideas for someone following a healthy diabetes diet.

Water

After experiencing a bout of diarrhea, your number one priority is rehydration. You've lost significant amounts of fluid, and the best way to get it back is through water, Health Castle reports. Electrolyte-containing beverages such as Pedialyte and Gatorade may help in your hydration efforts. But they tend to be high in simple sugars and should be avoided or limited if you have diabetes. It's a good idea to rehydrate with drinks that contain electrolytes, but sugar-free options are the best bet.

Health Castle also recommends that you drink at least eight glasses of fluid per day to replenish fluid lost during your diarrhea spell. In addition to water and electrolyte beverages, you can rehydrate with drinks such as caffeine-free tea or diet soda.

Blood Sugar Management With Diarrhea

Diarrhea can contribute to elevated blood sugars in multiple ways. Blood sugar tends to rise during illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and diarrhea can easily cause dehydration, which can spike blood sugar up even further, states the University of Maryland Medical System.

As a result, it's especially important for people with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels during illness, and to take special care when using glucose-lowering medications, particularly insulin. In extreme circumstances, dehydrating illnesses and high blood sugar can combine to spark the development of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a dangerous complication that typically must be treated at a hospital.

If you're not sure how to adapt your diet or medication usage to a bout of gastrointestinal illness, call your doctor. The CDC recommends visiting the emergency room if you have had severe diarrhea for more than six hours.