When you have diarrhea, eat bland foods such as applesauce, bananas, crackers, and toast. Hydrate with water or tea to replenish lost fluids. Choose foods that are easy on your digestive tract and replace fluids and nutrients lost through loose stools. Foods low in fiber, fat, added sugar, and other ingredients can worsen diarrhea.
Diarrhea is a common digestive condition that causes loose or watery stools. You may also have symptoms like a fever or abdominal cramps. Making temporary changes to your diet, such as removing certain foods and prioritizing others, could help improve your symptoms.
You may opt for bland, easy-to-digest foods when you have diarrhea. The BRAT diet, bland foods, salty foods, and probiotics help absorb water from stool and bulk it up.
BRAT Diet
The BRAT diet is a type of low-fiber diet that can treat short-term diarrhea. BRAT stands for:
Bananas: Unripe bananas are high in resistant starch. This helps draw moisture out of stools and reduce diarrhea symptoms.
Rice: White rice is low in fiber. It’s also easier to digest than high-fiber grains like brown rice and other whole grains.
Applesauce: Unlike whole, raw apples, applesauce is broken down into an easy-to-digest form. This can be a good choice for people with diarrhea.
Toast: White toast that’s low in fiber is easy for people with diarrhea to tolerate.
You do not necessarily have to limit yourself to the BRAT diet. Other foods, like plain crackers and low-fat protein sources, are well-tolerated.
Bland Foods
It’s generally important to stick to bland foods low in fat and fiber. You can incorporate other foods into your diet as long as you can tolerate them. Make sure what you eat does not make your diarrhea or other symptoms, like stomach pain, worse.
Consider trying the following bland foods if you have diarrhea:
Baked potatoes: Potatoes without the skin are easy on the stomach and contain potassium. This electrolyte is lost through diarrhea.Broths and soups: Low-fat and low-fiber soups and broths are hydrating. They are also high in nutrients, such as sodium, that are lost through watery stools.Plain crackers: Plain crackers made with white or gluten-free low-fiber flour are easy to digest. They can also soothe your stomach.Low-fiber breakfast cereals: Opt for cornflakes and farina over higher-fiber options.Plain, low-fat sources of protein: Egg whites, chicken breast, lean beef, and lean fish are usually well-tolerated.
Salty Foods
Pretzels and other salty snack foods like tortilla chips are low in fiber and provide sodium. This electrolyte is lost through loose, watery stools. Chicken noodle soup is also a source of sodium and can prevent dehydration.
Probiotic-Rich Foods
Probiotics are healthy gut bacteria that support digestion. You can typically find probiotics in foods like kefir and yogurt, but dairy products can irritate the stomach if you have diarrhea. Other sources include fermented soy milk, fruits, and vegetables.
Diarrhea causes you to lose large amounts of water and electrolytes through your stool, which increases your risk of dehydration. Dehydration can make you feel weak and dizzy and can become dangerous if you are unable to rehydrate.
It’s important to replace lost fluids when you have diarrhea. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day and one cup of water every time you have a loose bowel movement. Beverages like sports drinks, tea, and broth help hydrate you. Avoid sugary beverages or drinks with sugar alcohols, which can worsen diarrhea.
Certain foods can help you recover quicker and firm up your stools, but others can worsen diarrhea. It’s generally important to avoid foods high in fat and fiber when you have diarrhea, such as:
Fiber-rich foods like beans, dried fruit, and whole grains
Fried and greasy foods, such as French fries and bacon
Gas-promoting vegetables, including broccoli and cabbage
High-fat dairy products like whole milk and ice cream
Drinks that may worsen diarrhea include:
Alcohol
Caffeinated beverages, including coffee, tea, and soda
Sports drinks that have a lot of added sugars or artificial sweeteners
Home remedies that can help you feel better when you have diarrhea include:
Avoid strenuous activity and rest if you are able, especially if you have a fever or are feeling weak or dizzy
Eat small, more frequent meals
Sip water and other beverages like broth and sports drinks throughout the day to stay hydrated
If you do not have access to a toilet, take an over-the-counter (OTC) medication like Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) or Imodium (loperamide). Stop medication if you have blood in your stool or a fever.
Keep in mind that medications only treat some types of diarrhea. Do not use Pepto-Bismol or Imodium medications if you have bloody diarrhea or a fever, which may signal an infection.
Bacteria or viruses, an underlying condition, certain medications, and treatments like chemotherapy can cause diarrhea. Dietary changes can reduce diarrhea symptoms, but it’s not an appropriate way to treat all types of diarrhea.
Let a healthcare provider know if you have diarrhea or other symptoms that can indicate an infection or underlying condition. Seek medical attention right away if you have diarrhea that:
Accompanies a fever that does not go away or other symptoms like nausea and vomiting Has an unusual smell or color Is bloody or has mucusLasts more than five days in adults or longer than two days in infants and children Occurs with severe stomach pain
It’s also important to see a healthcare provider if you are immunocompromised, pregnant, or older than 70. Let a healthcare provider know if you develop diarrhea and have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
What you choose to eat can either improve or worsen diarrhea. Some foods, such as salty low-fiber crackers, white rice, broth, and applesauce, help firm up your stools and replace lost nutrients. Other foods, such as high-fat or fried foods, can worsen diarrhea.
Treatment for diarrhea depends on the cause. It’s always best to visit a healthcare provider if you have diarrhea that does not get better. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have an underlying condition that could be causing diarrhea.