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What Not to Eat during Diarrhea

Submitted by Nick on January 11, 2011

Diarrhea - what not to eat

When you have diarrhea, it can be difficult to consume foods normally. Knowing what to eat during diarrhea can really help you manage your symptoms. However, just as important it is to know what to eat, it is also important to know what not to eat when you have diarrhea. There are some foods that are potentially dangerous during diarrhea and can worsen your symptoms many times over. These foods aggravate your gastrointestinal system, increasing the speed of the contractions in the gastrointestinal tract, and, in turn, increasing the speed with which you pass stools.


Diarrhea: Foods to avoid

Foods that are rich in fats: Since the body is already sensitive, eating fatty foods can cause an adverse reaction, due to which eating anything greasy, creamy or with gravy can simply intensify the symptoms.
Dairy products: Dairy products are rich in bacteria and enzymes that can disturb the balance in the body. When you have diarrhea, the chemical balance in your body gets disturbed, and your body loses the enzyme lactase that is required to digest dairy products. If the milk sugar does not get digested, it causes nausea and flatulence and furthers the diarrhea.


In some cases, dairy products are also foods that cause diarrhea. Some of the other foods to avoid when you have diarrhea are cheese, butter, milk, ice cream and any other food items that are made up of lactose, milk and milk products.

Foods with artificial sweeteners: When you have diarrhea what not to eat can be a big question.


However, apart from fatty foods, which are usually an obvious choice to avoid, diet foods and foods with artificial flavorings and sugars are also harmful. Diet soda, sugar free gum, sugar substitutes and candies are a bad idea, when you already have diarrhea.

Foods that induce flatulence: There are certain foods that cause flatulence and are therefore to be avoided.


Since your digestive system is already under duress, it is only apt to let it rest for sometime before you begin consuming foods that stress it further. Some of these foods include cabbage, broccoli, peas, onions, cauliflower and beans.

Foods that are spicy: Spicy foods, such as peppers, hot sauces, curry-based cuisines and Tobasco should also be avoided when you have diarrhea. These spices are natural laxatives and can cause an intensification of the symptoms when ingested in large quantities.
Carbonated and caffeinated beverages: Carbonated and caffeinated beverages should ideally be avoided when you are suffering from diarrhea. These beverages cause flatulence and may increase digestive distress. Your digestive system is already in a delicate condition. Consuming foods that distress it further can lead to a lot of discomfort.

Fresh vegetables: When you have diarrhea, fresh vegetables should be avoided. These vegetables are rich in fibrous materials, which can cause discomfort to the digestive system. Fibers and roughage also behave like natural laxatives in the body. They help with the movement of food through the alimentary canal and allow them to be expelled from the body easily.

Fruits: While fruits are excellent when you are healthy and well, during diarrhea, consuming fruits can only increase your digestive distress. Fruits are extremely easy for the body to digest and therefore can pass straight through you, which can be extremely distressing during a bout of diarrhea.

Just like there are foods that cause diarrhea and foods that should be avoided when you have diarrhea, there are also foods to stop diarrhea. Some of these foods to stop diarrhea are hard boiled or scrambled eggs and broths. Bananas and applesauce are some of the other foods that can help relieve the symptoms of diarrhea. During this entire period, also continue to consume large quantities of fluids to ensure that you do not experience dehydration.

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