If you have diarrhea and want to know What Fruits For Diarrhea you should eat, there are some fruits that will help stop diarrhea. Diarrhea is an illness which occurs when the stomach and bowel muscles contract rapidly. The passage of food contents through the stomach and intestines gets faster than normal resulting in loose stool. Diarrhea can be easily triggered by a number of viruses
or a change in the diet. In such cases, it is necessary to eat the right kind of food to prevent dehydration. Having diarrhea is not fun at all. You become desperate and will do anything to relieve yourself from the terrible condition. There are a lot of home remedies for diarrhea, but I will be sharing the best of them all in this article. Health benefits of fruits are mainly concentrated in their
juicy pulp and colorful skin. Among other benefits, fruits contain fiber and vitamins that promote healthy blood. These components prevent obesity and help regulate brain functioning. However, not all fruits are created equal. Some varieties are less beneficial compared to others. Fruits are essential aspect of our diet. Let’s discover the amazing health benefits of fruits.
What Fruits For Diarrhea
There are certain fruits for diarrhea which can help a lot to cure this and make you feel better. This is because of natural anti-oxidants present in them which have the therapeutic properties easily blend and readily enters in the body. A lot of people assume that eating lots of yogurt is good for diarrhea, but a yogurt diet can actually harm your intestines. Yogurt can upset you stomach and make diarrhea worse. Here are the fruits that are best for diarrhea.
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Whether your diarrhea is caused by allergies, food poisoning, a chronic condition like irritable bowel syndrome, or something else, diet and diarrhea are intricately linked.
Even if you have long-term conditions that affect the digestive system, the diet you eat can greatly affect your comfort levels.
When you’re experiencing an episode of diarrhea, there are certain foods that you can eat to help your digestive system get back on track. There are also certain foods that you should avoid.
What to Eat When You Have Diarrhea
Whatever the cause of your diarrhea, what you eat can greatly affect your comfort level. Certain foods can help get your digestive system back on track. Watch this video to learn the best foods to eat when you have diarrhea to help you recover quickly.
Foods to eat when you have diarrhea
When you have diarrhea, the foods that you eat and the foods that you avoid can be critical to helping you recover quicker. This is where BRAT foods come in.
BRAT stands for “bananas, rice, apples, toast.” These foods are bland, so they won’t aggravate the digestive system. They’re also binding, so they help firm up stool.
Other foods that are included in the BRAT diet include:
- cooked cereal, like Cream of Wheat or farina
- soda crackers
- applesauce and apple juice
Shop for Cream of Wheat online.
You also need to drink plenty of liquids so that you can stay hydrated and replace the fluids that you’re losing. Drink lots of water and suck on ice chips. Other liquids that you can try include:
- clear broths, like chicken broth or beef broth, with any grease removed
- electrolyte-enhanced water or coconut water with vitamins or electrolytes (try to avoid ones high in sugar)
- solutions like Pedialyte
- weak, decaffeinated tea
After you’ve started to recover, you can add in foods like scrambled eggs and cooked vegetables.
Foods to avoid when you have diarrhea
When you’re experiencing diarrhea or recovering from it, there are a large number of foods that you want to avoid. These foods can trigger the digestive system and exacerbate or prolong diarrhea.
Foods to avoid while experiencing diarrhea include:
- milk and dairy products (including milk-based protein drinks)
- fried, fatty, greasy foods
- spicy foods
- processed foods, especially those with additives
- pork and veal
- sardines
- raw vegetables
- rhubarb
- onions
- corn
- all citrus fruits
- other fruits, like pineapples, cherries, seeded berries, figs, currants, and grapes
- alcohol
- coffee, soda, and other caffeinated or carbonated drinks
- artificial sweeteners, including sorbitol
Treatments and remedies
Many cases of diarrhea are short-lived and respond well to home treatments such as a modified diet, heavy fluid intake, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. OTC treatments include anti-diarrheal medications like Pepto-Bismol, which can help stop or slow down diarrhea.
In some cases, diarrhea is caused by parasites or a bacterial infection, and it may need to be treated with antibiotics.
Taking probiotics as soon as possible after taking antibiotics can help prevent adverse reactions to antibiotics by introducing healthy bacteria back into the digestive system. This can also help prevent future cases of diarrhea.
If the diarrhea is severe, you may need to be admitted to the hospital to receive intravenous fluids.
What foods to eat if you have diarrhea
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Occasional diarrhea is a common occurrence, and most people will experience an episode at least once or twice a year. In most cases, the symptoms will disappear in a few days.
People can manage the symptoms of diarrhea by resting, staying hydrated, and making certain dietary adjustments. While certain foods can promote recovery, others can potentially make the symptoms worse.
Although it is usually possible to manage occasional bouts of diarrhea at home, anyone who is experiencing persistent diarrhea should see a doctor, as they may become dehydrated over time.
What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a bowel movement that has a loose texture or is more liquid than solid. It is a common problem that may affect a person a couple of times each year. Diarrhea will usually resolve within a week or less.
People with chronic digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s disease, may experience diarrhea more regularly.
In addition to loose or runny stools, diarrhea is associated with other digestive symptoms,
- cramps
- abdominal bloating and pain
- a bubbling sensation in the intestines
- an urgent need to have a bowel movement
- nausea
- vomiting
- fever
A person’s diet is crucial if they are experiencing diarrhea. Some foods might help relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, whereas other foods can make them worse.
Foods to eat
While recovering from diarrhea, a person should eat bland, simple foods that are easy to digest and will help absorb some water from the stool.
Bland foods
People with diarrhea should eat bland foods, as spicy or complex foods can irritate the bowels. Doctors often recommend the BRAT diet, which includesTrusted Source:
- bananas
- plain white rice
- applesauce
- bread or toast
Other suitable foods include:
- boiled potatoes
- unseasoned crackers
- hot cereals, such as oatmeal, cream of wheat, or rice porridge
These foods may be especially helpful on the first day of dealing with diarrhea. Eating many small meals throughout the day rather than a few large ones can help keep the digestive system from becoming overworked.
Probiotics
Probiotic foods, such as yogurt and kefir, may help in some cases. Probiotics aid digestion by improving the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut.
However, dairy products can irritate the digestive system because they are difficult to digest. Due to this, a person may wish to try nondairy sources of probiotics, such as fermented soy milk, fruits, and vegetables.
A person should talk with a doctor before using probiotics.
What to drink
Liquids are also vital to recovery. People with diarrhea need to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and they should drink an additional cup of water after every loose bowel movement.
Drinking plenty of water helps prevent dehydration and flush any toxins out of the body.
As well as water, the body loses minerals and electrolytes through diarrhea. People should try to drink liquids containing minerals and electrolytes to replenish those lost. Sources of electrolytes and minerals includeTrusted Source:
- soup or broth
- coconut water
- electrolyte water
- sports drinks
Foods to avoid
Many foods can aggravate the digestive system and make diarrhea worse. These includeTrusted Source:
Spicy foods
Spicy ingredients can act as irritants in the digestive system. People dealing with diarrhea should stick to bland foods, as these pose the lowest risk of agitating the digestive system.
Fried foods
It is not advisable to eat foods high in fat or oil when recovering from diarrhea. Added fats and oils from frying can be difficult for the sensitive digestive system to process and will likely make symptoms worse.
A person can try eating boiled or steamed vegetables and lean proteins instead.
Sugary foods and artificial sweeteners
Sugars that pass into the colon may disrupt the already sensitive bacteria there, making diarrhea worse. These sugars will be present in fruit juices and high sugar fruits, as well as candy and sweet baked goods.
People with diarrhea should also avoid artificial sweeteners, some of which can have a laxative effect.
High fiber foods
It may also help to avoid too much fiber. Fiber helps keep the digestive system active. Usually, this is a good thing, but when the body is trying to recover from diarrhea, fiber may make the symptoms worse.
Insoluble fibers, which are the main culpritTrusted Source, are in various foods, including:
- whole grains, such as wheat, rice, and barley
- whole grain bread or baked goods
- grain cereals
- nuts and seeds
Soluble fibers, such as the pectin in apples and bananas, can actually help a person recover from diarrhea. However, a person should still try to limit their intake, at least for the first day of symptoms.
Other foods not to eat
Other foods that can irritate the bowels during diarrhea include:
- most processed, packaged food
- legumes, which include chickpeas, beans, peas, and lentils
- foods that produce gas in the intestines, such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower
- fatty meats, including sardines, pork, and veal
- dairy products
- nuts
- raw vegetables
What not to drink
Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and soda, may overstimulate the digestive system and make the symptoms worse.
Carbonated drinks may also irritate or contribute to other symptoms, such as bloating and cramps. People should also avoid alcohol when dealing with diarrhea.
Although many sports drinks contain electrolytes that may help with dehydration, they often have added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Coconut water and electrolyte-enhanced water are good alternatives.
Mom’s Advice Is Still the Best for Treating Diarrhea
Most of us experience diarrhea a couple of times a year, whether it’s from a bacterial infection, a food allergy or simply something you’ve eaten that disagrees with you. Diarrhea usually is not serious and often disappears within a day or so.
Mom’s advice is still the best when it comes to home treatments for diarrhea: Eat chicken soup and saltines and follow the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
You might think that eating will make your diarrhea worse, but your food choices can help to ease your symptoms and ensure your health doesn’t worsen as a result.
Salty and sweet
The biggest danger with a short bout of diarrhea is dehydration, or the loss of water and nutrients from the body’s tissues. You could become dehydrated if you have diarrhea more than three times a day and aren’t drinking enough fluids. Dehydration can cause serious complications if it isn’t treated.
The best way to guard against dehydration is to consume liquids that contain salt and sugar, says digestive disease specialist Donald Kirby, MD, Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Human Nutrition. The salt slows down the fluid loss, while the sugar helps your body to absorb the salt.
“We tend not to want people to have salt in general, but when you’re having significant diarrhea, you want to make sure you’re getting salt and enough sugar to keep out of the emergency room,” Dr. Kirby says.
Over-the-counter rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte® will do the job, Dr. Kirby says. Or, follow Mom’s advice and have some chicken soup with saltine crackers or pretzels.
Doctor Mom has been doing it for generations and it still works. In this case, Mother really does know best.
The BRAT diet
Here’s another bit of good advice from Mom for treating diarrhea – eat the BRAT diet: bananas, rice (white), applesauce and toast.
When your health is good, physicians usually recommend whole-grain, high-fiber foods. But high-fiber foods could spell trouble when you have diarrhea. The BRAT foods are low-fiber and can help to make your stools firmer. Bananas also are high in potassium and help to replace nutrients your body has lost because of diarrhea.
Dr. Kirby says you also can add oatmeal, boiled or baked potatoes (peeled), or baked chicken with the skin removed.
“These are simple foods that people often tolerate very well,” Dr. Kirby says.
Probiotics
Another way to help your gut recover from a diarrheal infection is to consume probiotics — a food or dietary supplement that contains live bacteria, which replaces or adds to the beneficial bacteria usually found in the gastrointestinal tract.
While it’s wise to avoid dairy products when you have diarrhea, Dr. Kirby says, there’s one notable exception — yogurt or kefir, a fermented milk drink, that contain probiotics. These can restore the beneficial bacteria that your body flushes out with diarrhea. Just make sure the yogurt or kefir are low in sugar, as higher levels of sugar can potentially worsen symptoms or diarrheal losses (that’s water and electrolytes) in some patients.
It’s time to call the doctor when diarrhea lasts longer than a few days, Dr. Kirby says. Also see your physician if you experience severe pain or your stool contains significant amounts of blood or pus.
What to Eat and What to Avoid When You Have Diarrhea
Some foods can make diarrhea worse, and others can keep you nourished while you’re getting better. Learn what to eat and drink to get through a bout of diarrhea.
Occasional diarrhea is nothing to worry about. The causes of diarrhea can range from a stomach flu to a specific meal or ingredient you ate that didn’t sit well. Because certain foods can worsen symptoms, it’s good to know the foods you should eat when you have diarrhea — and what you should avoid.
You want to eat plain, simple foods, especially in the first 24 hours, says Peter Higgins, MD, PhD, the director of the inflammatory bowel disease program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
“It is best to eat thicker, bland foods, including oatmeal, bananas, plain rice, and applesauce,” he says.
Other bland foods that are easy to stomach include:
- Boiled potatoes
- Toast
- Plain crackers, such as saltines
- Pretzels
- Baked chicken without any skin or fat
A review published in November 2011 in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology suggested that foods with probiotics — often called “good” bacteria — may shorten the duration of a bout of diarrhea. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, probiotics work by releasing “chemicals which break down the damaging toxins produced by unhealthy bacteria causing illnesses such as diarrhea.”
Probiotics have become very popular and are found in a number of foods, including:
- Yogurt
- Kombucha
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
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Avoid These Foods When You Have Diarrhea
As important as it is to know what to eat when you have diarrhea, you should also know which foods to avoid. Certain foods can travel through your intestines very quickly and aggravate your digestion, or worsen diarrhea in other ways.
Avoid the following for diarrhea relief:
- Fatty foods These include foods that are fried, greasy, or covered in gravy, which can make diarrhea worse.
- Milk, butter, ice cream, and cheese Even if the diarrhea isn’t caused by lactose intolerance — a difficulty processing lactose, a sugar found in dairy products — stay away from these foods when you have diarrhea. You may be temporarily sensitive to dairy products, even if you usually have no problem with them. Probiotic-rich yogurt may be the one exception to this rule, as some studies have shown probiotics help rebalance intestinal flora and could shorten the duration of a bout of diarrhea.
- Alcohol and sodas When you have diarrhea, you want to steer clear of foods and beverages that cause you to lose fluids. Alcohol can act as a diuretic, meaning it’s dehydrating, and should be avoided, Dr. Higgins says. Sodas with high-fructose corn syrup can also pose a problem if you have diarrhea. According to a study published in the June 2017 issue of Healthcare, large quantities of fructose can overwhelm your digestive system and lead to gas, bloating, or diarrhea.
- Sorbitol and other artificial sweeteners Some people find that artificial sweeteners have a laxative effect on their digestive system. If you have diarrhea, it’s best to pass on sugarless candy and gum, diet soft drinks, and sugar substitutes. According to Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health newsletter, consuming sugars, including artificial ones, causes your intestines to produce more water and electrolytes, which can then loosen bowel movements and lead to diarrhea.
- Foods that cause excess gas It’s important to eat generous amounts of fruits and vegetables every day. But when diarrhea strikes, you want to avoid choices that are likely to increase intestinal gas, such as cabbage, beans, broccoli, and cauliflower, until you’re feeling better.
- Foods that may be spoiled Stay away from foods that may have been mishandled, including foods that have been out of the refrigerator for too long or improperly stored. Raw meat or fish can be problematic, too. Follow the old maxim, “When in doubt, throw it out,” and you may save yourself some stomach upset.
Other Strategies for Tackling Your Diarrhea
One of the more serious complications of diarrhea is dehydration. When you have diarrhea for any length of time, take steps to avoid becoming dehydrated by consuming enough liquids, Higgins says.
“Look for liquids with sugar and salt — Pedialyte or full-salt soups work well,” he says. “If your urine is not clear, or you are not making much urine, you are not drinking enough.”
In terms of diarrhea treatment, Higgins says, if you don’t have an infection and are not seeing blood, you can take over-the-counter loperamide (Imodium, Kaopectate Caplet, or Maalox Anti-Diarrheal) to slow your bowel movements. But this kind of medication should only be taken for a day or two.
If diet and simple remedies aren’t working, and if symptoms persist for more than a few days and include bleeding, gas, and bloating, you should see a doctor. Your doctor can determine whether the diarrhea is caused by a more serious condition, and can recommend treatment.
Health Benefit Of Fruits
Have you ever wondered what are fruits good for? Do you know what types of fruits are there and which one is good for your health? there are lots of fruits and vegetables that are great for your health, but there are some that stand out among the rest. In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 particularly healthy vegetables and fruits, as well as what makes them so unique/beneficial.
1. Eating lots of fruit lowers the risk of developing disease
Eating fruit every day lowers the risk of so many diseases, it’s hard to list them all! For starters, a 2003 study found that eating fruit (and veggies) lowers your risk of developing heart disease. Since heart disease is the #1 killer in the US, that’s definitely a major benefit that helps us all.
In 2003, the Harvard School of Public Health also found that eating whole fruits may help lower the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Fruit can also help control your blood pressure, reduce your risk of developing certain cancers, and so much more. Some smaller preliminary studies found that it may even help prevent certain eye diseases and stave off dementia.
The bottom line, eat more fruit and you just may live a longer and healthier life!
2. Snacking on fruit makes you strong
As part of an overall healthy diet, fruit can really help make your bones and muscles stronger. A 2011 Florida State University study found that eating dried plums, in particular, can help prevent osteoporosis. Other fruits for healthy bones include avocados, cranberries, and tomatoes.
You’ll also want to snack on fruits rich in magnesium, as the mineral helps your body absorb calcium. These include bananas, most berries (black, blue and strawberries), figs, grapefruit, and even watermelon.
As far as muscles go, a 2020 study done by the University of East Anglia found that vitamin C can help you retain muscle mass. I don’t think I have to remind you that fruits are just loaded with C!
3. Water content in fruit helps keep you hydrated
Certain fruits are super high in water content, which helps keep your whole body hydrated. While straight and plain water is always best, eating more fruit can help you reach your daily requirement, especially if you’re just not a fan of the plain stuff.
Watermelon is the obvious choice, as its name implies. Did you know that strawberries also have about 92% water content, though? Grapefruit and cantaloupe are also made up of about 90% water. Even apples are a good option, with about 86% water.
4. All fruit has antioxidants that combat free radicals
If you don’t know, free radicals are nasty little unstable atoms that make us age faster, damage our healthy cells, and even cause cancer. Antioxidants are substances that help fight them off. While all fruits have them to some degree, ripe fruits are especially loaded with antioxidants, according to this study.
5. Fruit is high in fiber, which helps keep you fit and healthy
One of the greatest benefits of fruit is all the healthy fiber in them. According to the USDA, it helps reduce blood cholesterol levels. That, in turn, goes back to the first point- it lowers your risk of heart disease. Fiber is also super important for healthy bowels. It helps keep you “regular,” which can prevent issues like constipation, hemorrhoids, and diverticulosis.
Foods high in fiber and low in calories can also help you lose weight (or keep it off) because they make you feel full longer. They also control your blood sugar, which again, helps you eat less junk throughout the day.
6. Fruit is nutrient-dense, and provide our bodies with vitamins and minerals
Our bodies need so many different vitamins and minerals to stay healthy and keep going. Some of those nutrients, like calcium and potassium, are absolutely vital to our survival. For example, our hearts need both sodium and potassium to keep pumping. Fruits like avocados, figs, peaches, and kiwi are loaded with potassium.
Pretty much the entire alphabet of vitamins can be found throughout various fruits. The same goes for minerals. That’s great news, considering people all over the US have at least one vitamin deficiency. According to the World Health Organization, iron is the number one mineral that we’re lacking. Citrus fruits are a great source of the mineral.
7. Fruit makes you glow!
Okay, so not in the “glow in the dark” sense. Boy, that would be freaky, wouldn’t it? By “glow,” I mean it helps make your skin look positively glorious. Remember those free radicals we just talked about a minute ago? Well, they play a major role in making us age less gracefully. The antioxidants in fruit help combat that, while the water content hydrates our skin from the inside out.
Beyond that, though, fruits with healthy fats, like avocados, can actually help prevent sun damage. Of course, you still need to wear sunscreen, but it’s always nice to have a little extra backup when it comes to fighting UV rays. Fruits rich in vitamin C are also great for your skin, as they help your body produce more collagen.