Foods to Eat (and Avoid) When You Have Diarrhea

Most people experience diarrhea — defined as having loose, watery stools three or more times a day — at least a couple of times a year. Medications, such as bismuth subsalicylate, may help soothe your stomach, and drinking plenty of fluid is essential to avoid dehydration.

You can also try eating foods like saltine crackers for diarrhea. In fact, diet may play a bigger role in diarrhea management and recovery than you realize. Here are some guidelines to follow.

The Diarrhea Diet

When you have diarrhea, it’s best to stick with simple, bland foods, according to Cleveland Clinic.

The BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) diet is one example of a diarrhea-friendly eating plan. Using this approach may help firm up your stool, as these foods are starchy and low in fiber. These foods also help replace the nutrients your body needs that are lost as a result of diarrhea. Bananas, for instance, are a good source of potassium. Moreover, bland foods are unlikely to irritate your stomach. When you have an upset stomach, following the BRAT diet may help your body move back toward normal eating.

However, since the BRAT diet lacks important nutrients such as protein and healthy fats, it’s best not to follow it for more than a day or two, according to Cleveland Clinic.

To incorporate more variety (and nutritional value), try including other bland foods, including:

• Saltine crackers
• Baked or boiled potatoes (without skin)
• Clear soup broth
• Oatmeal
• Low-fiber cereals
• Baked, skinless chicken

When you’re feeling a bit better, you can add additional foods. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health recommends following a low-fiber diet or one that provides no more than 13 grams of fiber per day.

According to the university, cornflakes and puffed rice are good low-fiber cereals to eat. Ideally, cereals should contain less than 1 gram of fiber per serving.

If you want to have fruit, watch your portions and opt for fruits that contain less than 1.5 grams of fiber per half-cup serving. These include grapes, cherries, cantaloupe, apricots, mango, honeydew melon, and pineapple.

As for vegetables, cooking them can make them easier to digest, but it won’t reduce the fiber content, notes the University of Wisconsin. Low-fiber vegetables include cauliflower, peeled cucumber, mushrooms, peeled beets, radishes, peeled eggplant, green beans, and lettuce.

If you decide to eat meat, choose lean cuts that are baked, steamed, or boiled, and don’t add fat.

If you get tired of water, the University of Wisconsin advises that you can drink fruit juice (except for prune). Drinking liquids that contain both salt and sugar can also help guard against dehydration, according to Cleveland Clinic. Sodium will slow down the fluid loss while sugar helps you absorb the salt. You can do this with over-the-counter products, such as electrolyte solutions, or eat some chicken soup with saltine crackers.

You can remain on this diet until your symptoms subside. Once your bowel movements return to normal, you can start adding other foods to your meals. That’s important since a bland diet may not provide all the nutrients your body needs.

Foods to Avoid When You Have Diarrhea

So what shouldn’t be on the list of foods to eat when you have diarrhea? Cleveland Clinic advises that it’s best to avoid the following:

• Citrus fruits (such as grapefruits, oranges, and lemons)
• Fried and fatty foods
• Spicy foods
• Sweet items, including those with artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sorbitol, and erythritol
• Dairy products
• Caffeinated beverages
• Carbonated beverages
• Alcohol

Cleveland Clinic notes there are a few exceptions to the dairy rule. Fermented milk products, such as kefir or yogurt, contain probiotics. These living microorganisms can help restore the beneficial bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract, which your body loses when you have an upset stomach. For best results, make sure the kefir or yogurt you choose is low in sugar, as high levels of sugar may worsen your symptoms.

Within 24 to 48 hours after you’re feeling better, you should be able to resume your regular diet. If your symptoms return, it could be the result of food intolerances or food allergies. Go back to starchy foods until you’ve talked to a healthcare provider.

When to See a Doctor

Diarrhea usually only lasts a day or two, according to Mayo Clinic. If your symptoms don’t subside, you become dehydrated, or you have additional symptoms such as a fever, bloody or black stool, or severe abdominal or rectal pain, it’s important to see your doctor. Several factors can cause prolonged or chronic diarrhea, including parasites and harmful bacteria, food intolerances or allergies, or digestive disorders. A healthcare provider can evaluate your symptoms and perform an exam to determine the cause of your condition, then recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

According to Mayo Clinic, in cases of severe diarrhea, dehydration may be life-threatening if it’s left untreated. Dehydration is most dangerous for children, people with weakened immune systems, and older adults.

You should seek medical attention for your child if:

• Diarrhea does not improve after 24 hours.
• Your child is in diapers and hasn’t had a wet diaper for three or more hours.
• Your child has a fever of 102 degrees F or higher.
• Bloody or black stools are present.
• Your child has sunken eyes, cheeks, or abdomen.
• Your child has a dry tongue or mouth or cries without tears.
• Your child has skin that will not flatten if pinched and released.
• Your child is unresponsive or unusually irritable, drowsy, or sleepy.

As an adult, you should schedule a doctor’s appointment for yourself if:

• You experience diarrhea that lasts more than two days without improvement.
• You have a fever higher than 102 degrees F.
• You become dehydrated.
• You experience severe rectal or abdominal pain.
• Bloody or black stools are present.