In this article, we will discuss what to eat when you have diarrhea. Diarrhea is generally a symptom of a bowel infection in which feces are excreted from the bowels frequently in a liquid form. It is also one of the methods of getting rid of undesirable substances from the body. It is usually characterized by watery, loose stools. Some of the common causes of diarrhea are mentioned below.
Causes of Diarrhea:
- A viral or bacterial infection
- A food allergy
- Consumption of contaminated water or food.
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Excessive drinking
- Side effects of some medications.
Symptoms of Diarrhea:
- Frequent bowel movements
- Stomach ache
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Thirst
- Dehydration
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
Diarrhea can be acute, lasting for one to two weeks, or it can be chronic, continuing for even more than two to three weeks. Diarrhea generally occurs when more amount of fluid is passed through the large intestine (colon) than it can absorb. Normally, the colon is capable of absorbing several times more fluid than it is required on a regular basis.
When bacteria, viruses, or parasites enter the intestine through contaminated water or food, they round the lining of your digestive system and hamper it, making it incapable to absorb fluid from bowel contents. This causes the bowel contents to pass through the digestive system rapidly and frequently, resulting in diarrhea.
Both chronic and acute diarrhea can seriously hamper your day-to-day activities. To get rid of the symptoms associated with diarrhea it becomes important to know what to eat when you have diarrhea. Below we have mentioned some home remedies which you can try to treat diarrhea.
List of Foods to Eat When You Have Diarrhea:
1.) Fenugreek Seeds to Get Rid of Diarrhea
Because of the presence of high mucilage content in fenugreek seeds, they are considered to be very useful natural home remedies for diarrhea treatment. Fenugreek seeds help by bulking up your stool and thereby improve the severity and discomfort of diarrhea significantly.
Directions:
- Take a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds along with a tablespoon of yogurt.
- Another remedy is to mix one tablespoon of roasted cumin seeds and one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in two tablespoons of yogurt. Consume it two to three times a day.
- NOTE: Home remedies with fenugreek seeds are not appropriate for small kids suffering from chronic or acute diarrhea.
2.) Ginger to Treat Diarrhea at Home
As ginger is known for plenty of health benefits, it is also good for your overall digestive health. Ginger is always a fine option for treating diarrhea at home.
Directions:
- Take one teaspoon each of dried ginger powder, cinnamon powder, cumin powder, and honey. Eat it three times in a day.
- Another option is that you can use fresh ginger or dry ginger to make a cup of ginger tea.
- Drinking ginger tea two to three times in a day can help ease cramps and stomach ache caused due to diarrhea.
- Another way to use ginger is by mixing equal amounts of lemon juice and ginger juice with some crushed pepper. Take this solution at least three times in a day to get rid of diarrhea symptoms fast.
- Apart from the above methods, you can also take ginger in the form of a capsule or you can try foods such as gingerbread, ginger ale or gingersnap cookies.
- NOTE: If you are suffering from high blood pressure problem, you should avoid using ginger remedies for diarrhea treatment.
3.) Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of Diarrhea
Apple cider vinegar is one of the foods to eat when you have diarrhea. ACV is known for having excellent antibacterial properties which help fight diarrhea caused due to bacteria. In addition to this, ACV contains pectin which works as a protective layering and mollifies intestinal spasms.
Directions:
- Take one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and mix it in a glass of water.
- Drink this mixture two times daily until your condition improves.
4.) Banana to Treat Diarrhea at Home
Banana is another excellent food to eat when you have diarrhea. It effectively helps solve the problem of watery stools. The presence of pectin (a soluble fiber) in banana helps absorb liquid in the intestines, which in turn reduces the amount of liquid in the stools.
Along with that, the high level of potassium found in banana helps substitute electrolytes which may be lost when suffering from diarrhea.
Directions:
- Take one ripe banana and add a teaspoon of tamarind pulp and a pinch of salt in it. Mix it thoroughly. Eat this mixture two times daily to treat an upset digestive system.
- It is suggested to have one or two ripe bananas in your breakfast to maintain a healthy digestive system.
5.) Chamomile to Get Rid of Diarrhea
Chamomile is an excellent home remedy used to treat different intestinal problems, including diarrhea as well. The antispasmodic properties along with the high amount of tannins found in chamomile can provide great aid from various symptoms of diarrhea.
Directions:
- Take one teaspoon of chamomile flowers and a teaspoon of peppermint leaves in a cup of boiling water.
- Allow it to steep for ten to fifteen minutes. Drink this herbal chamomile tea three times at least in a day to speed up the healing process.
- You can also prepare chamomile tea using pre-packaged tea bags available easily in the local market.
6.) Yogurt to Get Rid of Diarrhea Fast and Naturally
Yogurt is one of the foods to eat when you have diarrhea. Eating yogurt which contains ‘live cultures’ is another ideal way to help your body get rid of diarrhea. ‘Live cultures’ refer to gut-friendly bacteria which provide a layer of protection in the intestines and help produce lactic acid to flush out bacterial toxins from the body.
Directions:
- For this method, you simply need to eat the yogurt as it is.
- Apart from that, you can also make a smoothie with yogurt.
- Eat yogurt several times a day to treat diarrhea fast.
- Although health experts suggest that one should not consume dairy products until the stomach and digestive system calms down fully, as such products can worsen the condition. However, yogurt is an exception here.
7.) Blueberries to Get Rid of Diarrhea
Blueberries are known to have elements known anthocyanosisdes, which have excellent antioxidant as well as antibacterial properties. The fruit also includes a great amount of pectin which can help ease diarrhea symptoms quickly.
Directions:
- In this remedy, you just need to chew dried blueberries several times in a day. This will help kill the germs responsible for causing diarrhea.
- You can also prepare tea by boiling a couple of crushed dried blueberries in a cup of water for about ten minutes. Drink this tea several times a day to treat diarrhea.
- You can also prepare soup with dried blueberries.
8.) Orange Peel Tea to Treat Diarrhea
Orange peel tea is another excellent home remedy which can help treat symptoms associated with diarrhea and help improve the digestive process.
Directions:
- First, you will need to wash the orange thoroughly to get rid of any pesticides which may be on the peel. Then, remove the peel and chop it well.
- Put the chopped peel in half cup of boiling water and let it steep for a few minutes. Later when it gets cooled, add some sugar or honey to sweeten the tea.
- Drink this tea two to three times in a day.
9.) Potatoes to Get Rid of Diarrhea
Potatoes are other starchy foods to eat when you have diarrhea. Here is the method to use potato for treating diarrhea at home.
Suggestions:
- Eating plain, boiled potatoes frequently can help restore the lost nutrients in your body. It will also give your relief from upset stomach.
- Another option you can try is to cook white rice and potatoes together in the adequate amount of water until it becomes thick. Then, add a little amount of salt and eat it. You can have this easy and simple dish for your lunch or dinner.
- When you are suffering from diarrhea, it is recommended that you avoid French fries or other fried and spicy potatoes as they can make your condition more badly.
10.) White Rice to Treat Diarrhea Fast and Naturally
White rice is one of the excellent bland foods to eat when you have diarrhea. It is rich in starch and is very easy to digest. So, you can eat plain boiled white rice but avoid adding any spices or sauces. Start by having small portions of rice and slowly increase the amount as your condition starts becoming stable.
In addition to this, you should drink a lot of water. You can also include fluids and starchy liquids like coconut water, rice water, vegetables, fruit, juices, and clear broths as well.