Bananas & Rice For Diarrhea

When you have diarrhea -- loose, watery stools occurring three or more times in a day -- it's important to be very selective with the foods you eat to avoid substances that may worsen symptoms. While foods with a lot of fat, fiber or sugar should be avoided with diarrhea, certain foods including bananas and rice may help diarrhea. See a healthcare provider if your diarrhea lasts longer than one to two days or if signs of dehydration are present.

Bananas and Diarrhea

Bananas are good food for diarrhea because they are soft, bland, and supply complex carbohydrates, all of which render this food easy to digest. Bananas are also a rich source of the essential electrolyte mineral potassium, which is lost from the body because of diarrhea, as well as pectin, a substance that helps reduce diarrhea. Furthermore, bananas contain amylase-resistant starch, which has been shown to reduce stomach acidity and protect gastrointestinal mucosa, according to an article published in "Practical Gastroenterology" in 2007.

Rice and Diarrhea

Plain white rice is another good food for reducing diarrhea. Like bananas, rice is easy to digest because it is soft, bland and high in complex carbohydrates. Also, according to "Practical Gastroenterology," clinical research indicates rice and rice-based oral rehydration solutions possess special properties that inhibit gastric secretions and promote rehydration with diarrhea. You can make your own rice water for diarrhea using one cup of uncooked rice and 1 quart of boiling water. Let the rice steep for 20 minutes, strain, and sip the broth throughout the day.

Other Foods for Diarrhea

Bananas and rice are part of the so-called "BRAT" diet that has been long-recommended for diarrhea, and particularly for toddlers and children with diarrhea. The "A" and "T" in the BRAT diet stand for "apples" and "toast," both of which are easy-to-digest foods that help settle the stomach and provide energy for adults and children with acute diarrhea. Boiled potatoes, chicken without the skin or fat, crackers, cooked carrots and clear liquids are also suitable foods for diarrhea. While dairy should generally be avoided with diarrhea, yogurt containing active bacterial cultures may help you recover from diarrhea more quickly.

Considerations

Although bananas and rice provide certain advantages for diarrhea, a strict BRAT diet may be too restrictive for young children as it does not provide enough energy and several important nutrients needed for growth. Thus, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against restricting the diet of toddlers with diarrhea to only BRAT foods. Also, with both children and adults, solid foods like bananas and rice should only be reintroduced to the diet once symptoms start to improve; toward the onset of symptoms, a liquid diet to replace lost fluids and electrolytes is also recommended.