Eating some foods may have laxative effects prolonging bouts of diarrhea. Learn what foods can affect your gut health, triggering diarrhea that you should avoid.
Diarrhea occurs when the bowels move more frequently than usual. The stools are usually soft, loose, or watery and happen 3 or more times a day—commonly accompanied by excessive gas and intestinal cramping. Adequate nutrition is important during episodes of acute diarrhea to prevent losing muscle mass and dehydration. The following diet recommendations focus on avoiding foods that may worsen diarrhea.
1 - Insoluble Fiber
Insoluble fiber can draw water into the stools to soften, increasing the stool's volume and pushing everything stored in the large intestine, including water. It makes stools pass faster through the intestines, increasing the frequency of bowel movements. For this reason, insoluble fiber is contraindicated in treating diarrhea, in which the stools are already very watery.
Fresh fruits, and vegetables
Beans, lentils, and peas
Whole grain and whole wheat products, such as wheat bread and brown rice
Nuts and seeds
Popcorn
2 - Sugary Drinks and Foods
Foods with a high sugar content can cause worsen diarrhea by pulling water into the gut making stools loose and watery. Many common foods have high-fructose corn syrup and should be avoided.
Soda
Juice drinks
Pancake syrup
Ice cream
Candy
Packaged sweets
3 - Foods Containing Sorbitol
Sorbitol intolerance appears mainly in genetically predisposed people. It is a reaction of the body against food that contains sorbitol, producing malabsorption of this nutrient, which causes digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea.
Prunes
Figs
Dates
Raisins
Sugar-free gum
Sugar-free candy
4 - Foods High in Fat and Fast Foods
These foods are high in saturated fats, which are difficult to digest especially having an upset and sensitive stomach. Avoid foods with high-fat content until the gut function returns to normal after a severe period of diarrhea.
5 - Lactose-Containing Foods
Milk, cheese, cream, and other dairy products are known to cause diarrhea in people with lactose intolerance. If you are lactose intolerant, consider lactose-free products or non-dairy alternatives.
6 - Spicy Foods
Capsaicin, also called Capsicum, is the active ingredient in all chili peppers can irritate the stomach, create a laxative effect for some people, and cause a burning sensation as stools pass.
Cayenne, serrano, jalapeño, Poblano and other peppers
7 - Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeine has a stimulating effect on intestinal motility that may trigger watery stools. People who suffer from diarrhea should avoid alcohol.
Other causes of diarrhea include decreased physical performance, graft versus host disease, infections, fat or bile acid malabsorption, infection, food allergies, gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, and other diseases.
Talk to your healthcare provider or dietitian to help you manage diarrhea.
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