Deciding what to eat after you have diarrhea can be tricky.
It typically starts with knowing which foods to eat and which to avoid.
The goal is to ensure you get enough nutrients without aggravating yourdigestive tract.
Verywell / Laura Porter
On its own, a BRAT diet should not be used for longer than two or three days.
Increased peristalsis is one of the mechanisms involved with diarrhea.
At this stage in your recovery, too much fiberparticularlyinsoluble fibercan make diarrhea worse.
When you have diarrhea, many of the “good” bacteria and yeast are eliminated from the digestive.
Some probiotic bacteria are thought to be effective in slowing diarrhea.
Low-FODMAP foods include:
The benefits of a low-FODMAP diet in people without IBS are unknown.
They come fromfoods that contain electrolyteslike sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, and phosphate.
When you have diarrhea, electrolytes are flushed out of the body along with fluids.
Symptoms of anelectrolyte imbalanceinclude headaches, cramps, irregular heartbeats, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, and diarrhea.
It is crucial that electrolytes be replaced when you have diarrhea.
This is true even if you are having a hard time keeping fluids down.
This may include broth, apple juice, or sports drinks, but plain water generally suffices.
Foods to Avoid
It is equally important to know which foods to avoid.
Limit your intake of insoluble fiber,saturated fats, and sugars that can make diarrhea worse.
This, in turn, can cause multi-organ failure and death.
In the early stages of recovery, a bland diet can do so without placing stress on the stomach.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
To replace lost electrolytes, eat electrolyte-rich foods like salmon, tuna, and spinach.
Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt can help restore the intestinal flora and help ease symptoms.
Low-FODMAP foods can also help if you have IBS.
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