C-diff is short for Clostridium difficile, an infectious bacterium that's becoming increasingly widespread and virulent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The elderly, hospitalized children and people taking antibiotics are prone to C-diff infection, which causes foul, watery diarrhea that may lead to dehydration, colitis and sepsis. Loss of appetite and nausea may also affect people with C-diff infection, making eating unpleasant at a time when they require more nutrients and energy. Emphasizing soft, digestible foods that provide probiotic support and nutrient replacement may reduce fluid loss and speed recovery.
Yogurt
Fermented dairy foods with live cultures of probiotic bacteria may help restore the natural intestinal flora depleted by antiobiotic therapy. Eating yogurt that contains Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, bacteria used in fermentation that also occur naturally in the gut, may shorten the course of C-diff infection. Though clinical research has not confirmed that probiotic microbes can successfully treat infectious diarrhea, the use of probiotic foods to relieve the symptoms of C-diff infection is becoming more common in hospitals and longterm-care facilities.
Bananas
Bananas are easy to digest, starchy and rich in potassium. Because C-diff may cause at least two to three watery stools per day, replacement of potassium is essential to maintain healthy cardiac function. The soft texture and mild flavor of this fruit may appeal to people with nausea and heavy diarrhea. For those who can't tolerate solid foods, a banana-and-yogurt smoothie may be an appetizing probiotic alternative.
Oatmeal
Starchy foods rich in soluble fiber add bulk to stools and reduce the loss of fluids, according to MayoClinic.com. Oatmeal and other ready-to-eat cereals are easy to swallow and may be blended with yogurt for additional probiotic support. Whole-grain foods with hulls or seeds may irritate the digestive tract, especially if the infection has progressed to colitis, a painful inflammation of the intestinal lining.
Soups
When nausea and diarrhea are at their peak, a liquid diet may be the best option for a person with C-diff infection. Vegetable, chicken or beef soups or broths provide a concentrated form of vitamins and minerals when solid foods are unappetizing or difficult to swallow. Small, frequent servings of room-temperature liquids may be easier to digest than larger, less frequent meals.
Electrolyte-Replacement Drinks
Fluid and electrolyte replacement are priorities in nutrition therapy for C-diff infection. Commercial electrolyte-replacement drinks may replace potassium and sodium lost to diarrhea. Drinks designed for children may easier for the frail elderly and critically ill hospital patients to tolerate. People with severe diarrhea may benefit from a clear liquid diet for one to three days.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Clostridium Difficile General Information - FAQ
- MayoClinic.com: C. Difficile
- Assisted Living Consult: Nutrition Therapy for C. Difficile Diarrhea, Becky Dorner, R.D., L.D., Sept./Oct. 2007
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Complementary Medicine: Potassium
- MayoClinic.com: Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
