Good Foods If You Are Suffering From Diarrhea

Submitted by Loring A. Windblad on June 24, 2010

Diarrhea is a condition where a patient suffers from loose motions that occur more than 3 times daily. Diarrhea is a symptom of some sort of digestive disorder or distress; it is not a condition in itself. Because of diarrhea, patients tend to suffer from dehydration as they lose a lot of liquid through their bowels. This loss of liquid is also coupled with an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. These two issues contribute to a diarrhea patient feeling tired and drained of energy.

Loss of water and electrolytes is also what makes diarrhea particularly dangerous to an individual suffering from it, because it can even lead to death. Infants suffering from diarrhea are at a risk of dying because of the dehydration effect of the condition.

Foods to Avoid Diarrhea: While you are suffering from diarrhea there are some food groups that should be avoided, while others should be focused on. Diarrhea is a result of an incomplete digestive process.

This may be due to infection or due to a disease that has caused the digestive system to fail. While one is suffering from the symptom of diarrhea, it is necessary to avoid the following types of food. Heavy foods are difficult to digest at the best of times.

Fatty foods do not get digested properly when there is a problem in the digestive system. It is therefore necessary to avoid all fatty foods to give you stomach a break. Some cases of diarrhea are caused by lactose intolerance.

Even if you are not suffering from this condition, it may be prudent to avoid lactose based products while you are ill. These are often difficult to digest and may cause gas and exacerbate the diarrhea symptoms. Some foods are known to create gas in the digestive system. These include beans, cabbage and broccoli. Avoid these while you are ill as gas will only cause further discomfort to you. It is recommended that you avoid food that you are unsure of until you are well. Some food may be prepared in unhygienic conditions and so one should strictly avoid these.

Good Foods for Diarrhea: Some foods tend to have a binding effect on the stomach. You should eat yogurt with your meals when you have diarrhea. Bananas are also recommended as they provide an energy boost to your body while also binding the stomach. Rice and toast are also recommended as they are not difficult to digest. Eat small meals and make sure there is less spice in your food.