Diarrhea is a condition that is marked by loose, watery and abundant stools that happen more frequently than normal, according to MayoClinic.com. Although diarrhea can be troublesome, it is a common side effect of viruses, digestive diseases and food intolerances and it often subsides on its own. Still, you may heal faster if you avoid irritating foods and drinks and focus on the ones that help control your diarrhea.
Fluids Before Foods
Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are your biggest health threat when you have diarrhea, so emphasize fluids when your stools are still loose. Begin with small sips of water, broth and clear juices. As long as small amounts don't seem to irritate your intestines, increase your intake to about 1 cup of liquid after each loose stool, recommends the SLUCare website. Steer clear of apple juice, pear juice and liquids that are carbonated, alcoholic or caffeinated; they can make diarrhea worse. Call your doctor if you start to feel dehydration symptoms such as headaches, lightheadedness, fatigue, extreme thirst or urine that is consistently dark yellow. He may recommend that you drink a special electrolyte fluid or go to the hospital to get fluids through a vein.
Bland or Semisolid Foods
Start adding in some semisolid and low-fiber foods as soon as your bowel movements start looking more normal. Doctors commonly recommend following the BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. The bananas help replace potassium you may have lost through diarrhea and the other foods are low in fiber and can help make your stools firmer, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other foods less likely to irritate your intestines are eggs, saltine crackers, apricots, cream of wheat, lean beef, canned vegetables, noodles, mashed potatoes and white skinless chicken. Stay away from most sugary and fatty foods.
Considerations About Dairy
Although most dairy products can aggravate diarrhea, some types of yogurt are an exception to the rule. Yogurt that contains probiotics, healthy bacteria, may help restore healthy bacteria in your colon and alleviate diarrhea. Specifically, the probiotics acidophilus, bifidobacteria and lactobacillus GG may help reduce diarrhea problems, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Ask your doctor about yogurt and look for the words "live and active cultures" on yogurt labels to be sure you get a product that has probiotics.
Diet Limitations
A bland and semisolid diet may help alleviate diarrhea, but it doesn't contain the right amount of important nutrients to keep your body well-nourished. In fact, your diarrhea troubles may get worse if you become malnourished. Include some extra fruits and vegetables after one to two days, but continue to avoid potential irritants such as spicy and fatty foods until you're in the clear. If your diarrhea persists, get help from your doctor.
