Diarrhea is loose, watery stool that typically occurs because of a virus, exposure to parasites in food or water, medications or bacterial infection. Individuals with diarrhea may experience multiple episodes of diarrhea each day when affected. A possible complication of diarrhea is dehydration. Diet plays an important role in treating diarrhea. Knowing which foods to eat and which foods to avoid will help get a person out of the bathroom and back on the road to recovery.
BRAT Diet
The BRAT diet is a common diet for individuals, especially children, suffering from diarrhea. This diet is an acronym that stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Limiting a diet to these specific foods may help decrease the symptoms associated with diarrhea. These foods may help bind the stool together and begin to form harder stools, according to MedlinePlus. The foods on the BRAT diet usually do not produce any additional stress to the intestines. Eating bananas may help replace the potassium lost through the intestines during episodes of diarrhea. Soluble fiber foods, such as plain rice and oatmeal, will also help absorb the excessive amount of fluid in the intestines.
Bland Foods
As a person begins to feel better from the diarrhea, eating bland foods is the best diet to prevent the diarrhea from recurring. Examples of bland foods include skinless baked chicken, boiled potatoes and cooked carrots, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Yogurt
Eating yogurt with live active cultures may help restore the balance of bacteria in the intestines. The probiotic bacteria found in yogurt are similar to the bacteria that normally live in the digestive system and increasing the presence of the helpful bacteria may decrease the diarrhea caused by harmful bacteria, according to MayoClinic.com.
Fluids
Diarrhea, especially frequent diarrhea, increases the risk of developing dehydration. Keeping a steady intake of fluids will help combat the fluid loss from the diarrhea and prevent dehydration. Drinking clear liquids that will not upset the intestines, such as water, tea and clear soft drinks, are the best types of beverages to drink. Electrolyte replacement drinks -- sold over the counter -- may also help prevent dehydration as well as replace vital electrolytes lost because of the diarrhea. Additionally, eating gelatin and clear broth may help increase fluid consumption.
Foods to Avoid
Knowing the foods to avoid while experiencing diarrhea is as important as knowing which foods to eat. A person should avoid any foods that cause the intestines to work harder, such as high fiber foods and foods that produce intestinal gas, like beans. Avoiding fatty foods as well as dairy products and highly seasoned foods is best for people with diarrhea, according to MayoClinic.com. Sweet foods, such as cakes and cookies, may irritate the intestines for a person with diarrhea.
