A diarrhea diet is used to help alleviate diarrhea, a
condition characterized by unusually frequent bowel
movements and excessive evacuations of watery
stools.
Diarrhea is a symptom that is not only uncomfortable,
but also dangerous to health, as it is usually
indicative of an underlying infection. Some causes of
diarrhea include:
-Taking antibiotics. Some antibiotics have diarrhea as
a side effect.
-Celiac disease. Disease that damages the small intestine
in people who cannot tolerate gluten, a protein
found in wheat, rye, and barley.
-Crohn’s disease. Inflammatory disease that usually
occurs in the last section of the small intestine
(ileum), causing swelling in the intestines. It can
also occur in the large intestine.
-Diverticulitis. Inflammation of the small pouches
(diverticula) that can form in the weakened muscular
wall of the large intestine.
-Dysentery. Inflammation of the intestine with severe
diarrhea and intestinal bleeding, resulting from
drinking water containing a parasite called Entamoeba
histolytica.
-Food poisoning. Eating foods that are spoiled or
tainted because they either contain harmful microorganisms,
or toxic substances that make them unfit
for consumption.
-Gardiasis. Infection of the intestine by the parasite
Giardia intestinalis. The parasite is one of the most
common causes of waterborne disease in the United
States and can be found in both drinking and recreational
water.
-Infectious diarrhea. Diarrhea resulting from bacterial
or viral infections. Bacterial diarrhea is most
commonly caused by Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella,
Shigella, Escherichia coli O157:H7. Rotavirus
is the commonest cause of viral diarrhea in the
United States. Other viruses causing diarrhea include
Norwalk virus, and cytomegalovirus.
-Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS, also called
spastic colon, or irritable colon, is a condition in
which the colon muscle contracts more readily than
it should.
-Lactose intolerance. The inability to digest significant
amounts of lactose, the major sugar found in
milk, due to a shortage of lactase, the enzyme produced
by the cells lining the small intestine. Lactase
breaks down milk sugar into two simpler forms of
sugar that are then absorbed into the bloodstream. If
not present, lactose is not broken down.
-Malabsorption. Poor absorption of nutrients by the
small intestine.
-Traveler’s diarrhea. Diarrhea resulting from eating
or drinking food or water contaminated by infected
human bowel waste. Travelers to developing countries of the world are especially at risk, hence the
name.
-Ulcerative colitis. Inflammation of the inner lining of
the colon, characterized by open sores that appear in
its mucous membrane.
-Viral gastroenteritis. Inflammation of the digestive tract,
primarily of the stomach, small and large intestines. It is
a mild viral infection that usually goes away on its own
within a few days. It is often called ‘‘stomach flu’’.
-Excessive exercise.
In most diarrhea cases, treatment first seeks to
prevent the body from losing too much fluid (dehydration)
and the salts and minerals required by the
body (electrolytes). A diarrhea diet accordingly
includes drinking plenty of water. However, broths
and soups that contain sodium, and fruit juices, mineral
water, soft fruits, or vegetables that contain potassium,
are also extremely important to restore the
electrolyte levels and correct nutritional deficiencies.
Until the diarrhea stops, it is also recommended to
avoid caffeine, milk products, and foods that are high
in fiber, or very high in simple sugars, as they tend to
aggravate diarrhea.
For example, soft drinks, undiluted
fruit juices, and presweetened cereals should be
avoided. Also, fried or fatty foods should be avoided
because of their tendency to delay stomach emptying.
Carbonated drinks can also affect intestinal contractions
and make diarrhea worse. A heath care practitioner
may also recommend the BRAT diet that
includes bananas, plain rice, applesauce, and toast.
Some specific diarrheas have their own dietary
requirements. For instance, avoiding dairy products in
cases of lactose intolerance, or gluten in cases of malabsorption.
Diarrhea caused by antibiotics can also be
reduced by taking probiotic yogurt with live active
cultures.
As the diarrhea improves, soft, bland foods can
usually be added to the diet, supplementing bananas,
plain rice, and toast with boiled potatoes, crackers,
cooked carrots, and baked chicken without the skin
or fat. Other recommended foods include cereals (rice,
wheat, and oat cereals), and yogurt. Once the diarrhea
has stopped, a person can usually return to a normal
and balanced diet. The Schiffert Health Center offers
the following dietary tips for the first several days after
experiencing diarrhea:
-Begin eating bland, easy-to-digest foods after the
first 24 hours of diarrhea.
-Slowly progress to other foods as you can tolerate
them.
-Avoid food and drink that cause discomfort, cramping
or gas for the first few days. Examples of food to
avoid may include: spicy foods (black pepper, chili
powder), caffeine, chocolate, carbonated drinks and
cola drinks, alcohol, fried foods and greasy foods,
acidic fruit juices (orange, grapefruit), gaseous vegetables
(broccoli, cabbage, corn, cauliflower, onions).
-Initially, eat smaller meals evenly spaced throughout
the day to reduce stomach acidity.
-Eat slowly and chew food well.
A progressive bland diet may propose the following
eating plan:
Day 1: Drinking clear liquids at room temperature
such as sports drinks (Powerade/Gatorade), weak
tea (decaffeinated), non-caffeinated sodas;
Day 2: Slowly adding bland foods in small amounts as
can be tolerated during the day. Examples are: oatmeal
or cream of wheat made with water, dry cereal
(without milk), plain rice or pasta (no butter, oil, or
sauces), crackers or pretzels, gingersnaps, plain toast
(no butter or jelly), mashed potatoes (no skins), ripe
bananas (ripe), applesauce, chicken noodle soup.
Day 3: Gradually adding more variety of foods in
small, more frequent meals evenly spaced throughout
the day. Examples are: soft boiled eggs or scrambled
eggs, plain baked potato, fish or chicken (no skin)
well-cooked, baked or grilled (not fried), plain yogurt,
cottage cheese, cooked carrots or green beans, milk
(skim or low-fat after diarrhea has stopped).
The primary function of a diarrhea diet is to assist
the treatment seeking to correct the cause. This almost
always includes preventing dehydration and replenishing
lost electrolytes, especially serious in babies and
young children. In serious cases, a physician may also
recommend electrolyte solutions, available at drugstores.
Medicines that stop diarrhea may be helpful,
but they are not recommended for people whose diarrhea
is caused by a bacterial infection or a parasite,
because the diarrhea helps to purge the pathogen.
Viral infections are either treated with medication or
left to run their course, depending on the severity and
type of virus.
