Diarrhea is defined by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse as having loose, watery stools three or more times per day. Diarrhea may be caused by food allergies, viruses, bacteria or parasites in food, reactions to medications or other conditions. The types of foods and drinks you choose are important for preventing diarrhea caused by microorganisms and allergies. If you already have diarrhea, choosing a diarrhea-friendly diet is critical for the prevention of more loose stools and complications such as dehydration.
Liquids
When traveling to a developing country such as Mexico or India, choosing only beverages served in their original container or beverages made from boiled water can help prevent traveler's diarrhea. If you're already sick with diarrhea, it is of utmost importance to consume plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration. Good choices are drinks with electrolytes such as sports drinks, juices and caffeine-free soda -- these drinks help replace important minerals that are lost through diarrhea. Cleveland Clinic recommends drinking 2 to 3 liters or quarts daily or sipping small amounts of liquids continuously throughout the day when you have diarrhea. Certain drinks, such as apple and pear juice, caffeinated drinks and alcohol should be avoided until you feel better, however.
Foods
Choosing the right foods can help to prevent diarrhea. MayoClinic.com recommends low-fiber foods such as soda crackers, eggs, toast, eggs, chicken or rice for individuals with diarrhea. Pasta, bananas, applesauce, gelatin, cottage cheese and other low-fiber foods may also help normalize bowel movements and prevent future occurrences of diarrhea. Eating yogurt with active cultures can help to prevent or stop diarrhea from taking antibiotic medications, according to theCleveland Clinic. Yogurt may also help you recover from diarrhea, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. To prevent diarrhea caused by bacterial or parasitic contaminants while you're traveling in a foreign country, any food you eat should be hot and well-cooked.
What to Avoid
Avoiding certain foods is also essential for preventing diarrhea. If you've already had at least one loose, watery stool, you need to avoid foods that will cause you to have more diarrhea. Besides alcohol and caffeine, you should also limit fatty or fried foods, raw vegetables and fruits, beans, cabbage, whole grains, and strong spices; these foods are difficult to digest and may increase the frequency or severity of loose stools. If your diarrhea is caused by a food allergy, such as lactose intolerance, you will need to avoid that food -- dairy products, in the case of lactose intolerance. To prevent traveler's diarrhea, it is best to avoid consuming tap water, peeled raw fruits and vegetables, dairy foods and undercooked meats, cautions MayoClinic.com.
Other Prevention Tips
In addition to eating and avoiding certain foods, you can take other measures that will help prevent diarrhea. As many cases of diarrhea are caused by a virus, washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds per washing can help prevent you from catching or spreading contagious diarrhea. As diarrhea can also be caused by bacterial growth in food, proper food preparation and storage is essential for preventing diarrhea from food poisoning. MayoClinic.com's food preparation tips for diarrhea prevention include never leaving cooked food out at room temperature. Also, use the refrigerator to thaw frozen foods and wash your hands and food surfaces frequently while cooking.
