You don’t have to resort to pills or other medications to treat diarrhea. Home remedies and the right diet often help to calm the stomach and intestines again. Here’s what to eat when you have diarrhea.
Diarrhea is one of the most common and most uncomfortable digestive disorders. Some suffer from regular bouts of diarrhea, which always occur unexpectedly and in the most inopportune situations. An appropriate diet helps against diarrhea and calms the digestive system. However, if the symptoms persist for more than three days and there is blood in the stool, you should consult a doctor.
With accelerated digestion, the body loses fluid and important electrolytes very quickly. In order to avoid dehydration (dehydration of the body), your body must be supplied with the lost fluid and the corresponding electrolytes quickly. Signs of dehydration include dry mouth and dark-colored urine . Therefore, a constant water supply is essential , especially in the case of severe diarrhea .
Table of Contents
Diarrhea – symptoms and causes
The following criteria define diarrheal diseases:
- Stool frequency : Three or more loose stools occur in a 24-hour period.
- Consistency of the stool : The stool is mushy or runny (water content corresponds to 75% or more).
- Stool weight : The weight of the stool is increased (250g or more).
Causes of diarrhea
Typical accompanying symptoms of diarrhea are abdominal cramps and flatulence. The causes depend on whether it is acute or chronic diarrhea . The acute form can be triggered by bacteria or a viral infection, while the chronic form is triggered, for example, by food intolerance or an underlying disease. Stress, such as that found in irritable bowel syndrome , can also be a cause of irregular digestion. Those affected often suffer from various gastrointestinal complaints. Acute diarrhea lasts a maximum of three days. If it lasts longer or if there is a suspicion of chronic diseases, you should speak to a doctor.
Dos for diarrhea
If you have diarrhea, you should switch to a stomach-friendly diet so that the intestines and the intestinal flora can completely rebuild and recover. It is best to have several smaller meals so that the body is not overwhelmed. In general, make sure that you eat foods with a low fat content. The fat puts additional strain on the already irritated digestive system and can even be excreted undigested or lead to renewed diarrhea. Adequate fluid intake is also important. Drink still water or tea like fennel caraway anise or chamomile. About the electrolyte balanceTo top up, you can drink vegetable broth or buy a rehydration solution containing sodium, potassium, glucose, and chloride at the pharmacy.
These foods are particularly digestible
- Rolled oats
The grain contains a lot of roughage and minerals, as well as vitamins B1 and E. The flakes are easy to digest and act like a protective layer on the irritated mucous membrane. For a porridge, pour enough hot water over 50 grams of oat flakes until you get a creamy consistency while stirring. A pinch of salt adds some flavor. - Apple, banana and carrots
If the porridge is too boring for you, you can also grate an apple or mash a banana and mix it in. The two fruits contain pectin, which makes the stool firmer by binding water. At the same time, they return nutrients to the body. Likewise, carrots also contain this fiber. For a carrot soup based on the recipe of the Heidelberg pediatrician Ernst Moro from 1908, boil 500 grams of finely chopped carrot pieces in a little water and puree them. The porridge is poured with a liter of water and three grams of salt. - Vegetable broth
A cup of vegetable broth can be drunk in small sips. The salt it contains supplies the body with sodium. Simply prepare a cup according to the package instructions. - Zwieback
The classic when it comes to diarrhea is Zwieback. The double-baked bread is not heavy in the stomach, is easy to digest and has a constipating effect. Alternatively, you can also eat white bread, but without toppings. - Potatoes and rice
Potatoes contain a lot of potassium and are particularly digestible. Just make sure they don’t contain any green spots, as that’s where the slightly toxic ingredients chaconine and solanine are found. Alternatively, you can also cook white rice. This forms mucilage that binds water in the body. It tastes particularly good with a little salt and cooked vegetables such as carrots or zucchini.
Don’ts if you have diarrhea
If you have diarrhea, there are also a few foods you should avoid. They also irritate the gastrointestinal tract and can trigger renewed symptoms such as cramps, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Milk and dairy products
In the case of diarrhea, milk and dairy products are taboo at first, as they often contain a lot of fat, which has a negative effect on the irritated intestine. Bacteria or viruses can also cause a temporary lack of lactase, so that the lactose can no longer be digested and the diarrhea is increased.
Hot foods
Chilies and other hot spices unnecessarily irritate the gastric mucosa, which is why chilli con carne and arrabiata sauce should be avoided for the time being.
Greasy foods
Like dairy products, greasy foods such as fast food and pastries should be avoided, as the fat only puts additional strain on digestion and can trigger new diarrhea.
Coffee
Coffee should also be avoided if you have diarrhea. It stimulates digestion and increases the volume and frequency of stool. The same also applies to alcohol.
Cola & pretzel sticks
It has long been refuted that cola and pretzel sticks help against diarrhea. Cola contains a lot of sugar and can have an unfavorable effect on the water balance. The drink has a sweetener that stimulates intestinal activity and can also promote diarrhea. Pretzel sticks won’t stop diarrhea, but they provide simple carbohydrates, which are constipating, and salt, which replenishes electrolytes in the body.
Alcohol
In any case, stay away from alcoholic beverages. These make the stool more liquid and make the diarrhea worse. Beverages with an alcohol content of less than 10%, such as beer, increase the production of stomach acid, which can also lead to heartburn and nausea.
Gassy vegetables
Even if they are otherwise healthy, you should avoid gassy vegetables such as cabbage or beans if you have diarrhea. They can make the symptoms worse.
Diarrhea in irritable bowel syndrome – what helps?
In irritable bowel syndrome , diarrhea often occurs suddenly and without feeling sick, but with abdominal pain and cramps. The stool is very soft to liquid. Those affected suffer from the recurring diarrhea.
Anti-diarrheal agents, so-called antidiarrheals, which are available in pharmacies without a prescription, help against acute irritable bowel diarrhea. However, these should only be taken in extreme emergencies.
Dietary fibers such as flaxseed or psyllium husks can help preventively. They bind water and release mucilage, which stimulates gastrointestinal movement. The volume of the stool increases and it is easier to get to the exit. Regular consumption of high-fiber vegetables can also prevent diarrhea. People with irritable bowel syndrome should try different foods, as some are better and some are less suitable for an intact digestion.
Diarrhea in babies and toddlers
- During the first six hours, replace the child’s fluid and salt losses. In pharmacies there are electrolyte-glucose mixtures in the correct mixing ratio. Even mixed solutions are not intended for children under the age of five.
- Feed your usual formula or continue breastfeeding. However, you can also feed water-binding foods such as grated apples and mashed potatoes, carrots and bananas. A rice gruel electrolyte solution or tea can also be given to infants for the first six hours . Suitable types of tea are chamomile, peppermint or fennel .
- Cover the child’s calorie and nutrient requirements with carbohydrates from rice, potatoes and fruit.
medication for diarrhea
Medicines for diarrhea are available in pharmacies without a prescription. They stop the diarrhea, but do not fight the causes. Therefore, ask your pharmacist about the exact use of the preparation. One of the most effective substances against diarrhea is loperamide . It slows down the movement of the intestines so that the chyme stays in the intestinal tract longer. Water and electrolytes can then be better absorbed by the body. However, do not take the drug for longer or in higher doses than recommended! In the worst case, it can lead to constipation and intestinal obstruction !
In general, you should only use medication for diarrhea briefly and sparingly, since a pathogen or toxin wants to leave the body in the case of acute diarrhea. If this “cleansing process” is suppressed, the pathogens can even damage the intestines. Some bacterial pathogens must also be treated with antibiotics. If the diarrhea is stopped by the drug, the bacterial infection is often not recognized until late and new and more severe symptoms appear. Therefore, pay attention to signals such as blood or mucus in the stool and high fever.
Effectively prevent diarrhea
If you often struggle with diarrhea, you should have your doctor clarify possible diseases, intolerances and food intolerances. Fructose, lactose, alcohol, caffeine, sorbitol, heat and fat often cause diarrhea. Keep a journal to check what you have eaten and how your body is reacting to it. A process of elimination often provides clues as to why the diarrhea is triggered.
Dietary changes and tips on eating behavior
Now that you have noted which foods or habits cause you diarrhea, you now also know what you should avoid or replace. In this case, a change in diet is the best way to prevent diarrhea permanently. Then watch how you eat.
Fiber
When it comes to fiber, you should know the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is found in fruits and vegetables, such as most citrus fruits. They bind water and are largely broken down by the intestinal bacteria, which has a positive effect on digestion.
Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, is found in cereals and legumes. They promote intestinal movement and are only partially broken down by the intestine. On the one hand, they promote intestinal movement and increase the volume of the stool, but on the other hand they can also cause diarrhea. This often happens when the body is not yet used to the amount of dietary fiber. In any case, dietary fiber is part of the bland diet.
hydration
Drink as much as possible, as the body quickly loses a lot of water and nutrients when you have diarrhea. Three to four liters of unsweetened tea, still water and a cup of vegetable broth provide the body with fluid and minerals such as sodium and potassium. Cola, on the other hand, should be avoided as the sugar or sweetener can have a laxative effect. Fennel-cumin-anise, chamomile or special gastrointestinal teas are particularly suitable as tea.
vegetables
A gentle diet also includes lots of vegetables such as boiled carrots and carrot juice, they bind the liquid and relieve the gastrointestinal tract.
broth
Drink a strengthening chicken broth, it contains many minerals and electrolytes, which are very important in treating the disease.
fruit
A particularly healing effect is found in bananas or in the peel of an apple. It is therefore better to wash apples thoroughly, but do not peel them. The pectin it contains helps to store the absorbed liquid. Exactly the right thing to be able to replenish the lost liquid by replenishing it. Grated apples are particularly digestible and you can mix them with other fruits to make a delicious mush.
Constipating foods
Just like the banana, rusks and rice are easy constipating foods that help you tighten your stool and regulate your digestion.
Diet after diarrhea
- In order not to burden the stomach again immediately, you should first resort to light food. Various types of mush are suitable here . Use bland and low-acid fruits like bananas.
- Mild oatmeal has been the proven home remedy for gastrointestinal upset for decades, as it is very digestible and protects the gastric mucosa. It is best to use melted oatmeal flakes – these are easier to digest.
- Easily digestible, cooked vegetables such as fennel, zucchini or pumpkin are suitable after diarrhea. White rice, mild mashed potatoes or carrot soup are also dishes to get you back into your normal diet.
