Diarrhea can be unpleasant, and if it is prolonged or chronic, it can pose risks to your health, including the risk of dehydration. Certain foods like fruit may aggravate your bowel problems, as they are high in fiber. Furthermore, if you fail to wash your produce properly, you may accidentally ingest germs that can make you sick and lead to diarrhea. If your diarrhea persists for more than five days, seek medical attention.
Diet for Diarrhea
When you have diarrhea, your stools become loose and watery, wreaking havoc on your digestive system. Monitoring what you eat and drink while you have diarrhea can help keep your symptoms from getting worse and can prevent dehydration. Drink clear liquids like water or broth, but avoid juices like apple and pear until your symptoms subside, as these can aggravate diarrhea. You should also avoid high-fiber foods, such as fruits, until you recover. However, bananas are good to eat when you have diarrhea, as they are mild and may help reduce your symptoms.
Washing Produce
Your fruit can be contaminated at various points between where it grows and where you buy it. Eating food that is contaminated with bacteria or viruses is one of the most common causes of diarrhea, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This is why it is important to thoroughly wash your produce before you eat it.
Wash your hands with hot water and soap before touching your fruit, and then hold the fruit under warm, running water, scrubbing away dirt with your hands. If you are washing firm produce like melons, use a vegetable brush to clean it. Wait until after you have washed the fruit to peel it or cut off any bruised areas, as this will prevent the contaminants from getting into the edible part of the fruit.
Additional Causes of Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be the result of conditions unrelated to an intestinal illness, such as celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome. It can also result when you take antibiotics, laxatives or other medications. If you diarrhea is chronic, see your doctor, as you may need to make additional dietary alterations or take medications to regulate your bowel movements.
Further Considerations and Warnings
While most cases of diarrhea subside fairly quickly, it can cause complications. Seek medical attention if your stools have blood in them, if you have become dehydrated or if you have a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Let your physician know if you have recently traveled to a foreign country or if people you ate with have diarrhea as well. Tell her about the foods, including the fruit, you consumed, as well as any other symptoms you are experiencing.
