Here are some simple and effective tips on what you should eat and drink when you have diarrhea to prevent complications and help you recover faster:
1) Drink a lot
When you have diarrhea, the greatest danger is dehydration or loss of essential fluids and electrolytes. To avoid this potentially serious situation, here are the best choices on what to drink when you have diarrhea:
- coconut water
- Mineral-rich bone broth
2) Eat small, frequent meals
The tips below will give you a better picture of foods and drinks that can affect your condition during diarrhea
Foods to eat against diarrhea:
Protein-rich foods, such as beef, organic chicken, turkey, and well-cooked eggs to help fight fatigue.
Organic vegetables, but avoid those that can cause excess gas such as beans, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.
Soups made with cooked asparagus tips, carrots, celery, mushrooms, beets or tomato purée.
Foods to avoid with diarrhea
– Carbonated, alcoholic, artificially sweetened and caffeinated drinks, as they can irritate the digestive tract and accelerate the loss of fluids and electrolytes. – Oily, greasy and fried foods can make your symptoms worse.
– Foods containing insoluble fiber, nuts, wholemeal bread and bran products, which are stimulants of the gastrointestinal tract.
– Milk and dairy products such as butter, ice cream and cheese, which are difficult to digest. Although you can usually tolerate dairy products, you may become temporarily sensitive to them when you have diarrhea.
– Sorbitol and other artificial sweeteners, as they usually have a laxative effect.
– Foods that are not prepared or stored safely. Cook all foods to a temperature of 70°C to kill diarrhea-causing germs such as E. coli bacteria.
What to eat after diarrhea
Eating heavy meals after diarrhea stresses your digestive system, making it difficult for your stomach to recover and process food. Your priority once the diarrhea stops should be to provide your body with nutrients that will help improve recovery. . You can do this by adding these beneficial foods to your diet:
– Probiotics: Known to support digestive health, these help replenish good bacteria in your gut to replenish the optimal balance. The lactic acid in probiotic foods, such as fermented vegetables, also helps kill bad bacteria in your gut.
– Neutral foods: In general, it is recommended to eat simple foods, especially in the first 24 hours after suffering from diarrhea. This includes boiled potatoes, toast, cooked chicken without skin or fat. It’s also best to eat thicker, bland foods, including oatmeal, bananas, rice, and applesauce.