Diarrhea occurs when there is a sudden increase in the looseness and frequency of bowel movements, according to AboutKidsHealth. Diarrhea can be mild, consisting of a few loose stools, or more severe, lasting several days or a week. Frequency of bowel movements is typically the determining factor of severity. Diarrhea can result in the loss of body fluid, leading to dehydration. Causes of diarrhea include intestinal infection, bacteria, food allergies and parasites. Aside from replacing fluids as they are lost, modifying your diet to include more starchy foods can also help.
Cereal
Most cereals contain wheat, which contains gluten, which may help slow down the frequency of your diarrhea. Rice cereals are also a good choice. Look for the ingredient list on the box, as well as the nutrition label to determine starch content. Use caution when adding cow's milk to your cereal, as it could make diarrhea worse in certain situations. Use soy milk or almond milk if you have a problem with dairy.
White Breads
White breads, buns, rolls and baguettes all contain the starch you want for some diarrhea relief. White bread products are made with refined flour, which has had the germ and bran removed during the refining process. Avoid whole grain products for this purpose, as the fiber content may make your condition worse.
Pasta
White pasta falls into a similar category as white bread. It is a starchy, white flour food that may be able to help you out. Avoid whole wheat pastas, and don't rinse off the pasta after you have cooked it, because all the starch will be washed away.
White Rice
White rice creates a lot of starch when cooked, but be careful about what you serve alongside it. Vegetables contain fiber, which may make your diarrhea worse. When serving white rice to help diarrhea, stick to eating it plain until you feel better.
Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes, particularly darker baking potatoes, are starchy on their own, but when mashed up they almost become glue-like. Serve them on their own, or add some butter and milk, if you are certain the person eating them doesn't have a problem with dairy products.
Cooked Carrots
Carrots will become thick and starchy when they are cooked. You can boil or steam carrots to release the starch inside. Consider mashing them up to release even more starch and make them thicker.
Bananas
Bananas are a starchy fruit that may be easier to tolerate for children who have diarrhea. A banana can be mashed or eaten whole as a way to help control diarrhea.
