Diarrhea is a condition that can be caused by a variety of illnesses, including flu and food poisoning. The book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" recommends sticking with mild foods that are easy on your digestive tract to help you recover from diarrhea. Alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, dairy products, high-fiber foods and high-fat items place further stress on the digestive system. If your condition persists or worsens, see a doctor immediately.
Rice and Rice Water
The website FamilyDoctor.org recommends eating low-fiber binding foods that can firm up your stools when you have diarrhea. White rice is one of the most common food items in this category. It's quite mild, but still has some bulk that can quell diarrhea. Stay away from brown rice, wild rice and other grains that still have the hull attached, as they are considerably higher in fiber and can further irritate your diarrhea. If eating is difficult for you, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" says to boil 1/2 cup of rice in 3 cups of water for 45 minutes, then strain the mixture and drink the water. Rice water give you the starch and nutrients you need, without stressing out your overtaxed digestive system.
Bananas
Bananas are mild and easy to digest, making them a solid source of nutrition for those who are suffering from diarrhea. They also contain quite a bit of potassium. Your body loses quite a few vital nutrients when you have diarrhea, and eating bananas is one of the easiest ways to replace them. Potassium deficiency in particular can be quite dangerous when you have diarrhea, because it can further aggravate the problem.
Applesauce
Applesauce is a non-grain-based binding food that contains just enough fiber to firm up your stools. The sugar in applesauce can also be good for those with diarrhea because it supplies an easily digested source of calories. Do not eat whole apples when you have diarrhea because the peels can irritate your sensitive digestive tract.
Toast
Toast is mild enough to consume when you have stomach troubles such as diarrhea, and is a good food to try after you have successfully eaten semi-solid items such as rice, bananas and applesauce. Stick with simple, white-flour-based bread at first. High-fiber wheat breads may be preferable under normal circumstances, but when you have diarrhea they may trigger a relapse.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing;" Phyllis A. Balch; 2006
- FamilyDoctor.org: BRAT Diet
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Diarrhea
