Diet for People With Chronic Diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea is uncomfortable and inconvenient. Many times it's a symptom of another illness but it's important to eat correctly to avoid making the problem any worse. There are foods you should avoid and some foods that can help with diarrhea.

Foods to Avoid

You should avoid foods that have been shown to aggravate diarrhea. Avoid milk and dairy products. Don't drink caffeinated beverages like tea, coffee and dark soft drinks. Spicy foods, and high-fat or greasy foods will also cause irritation. Don't eat high-fiber foods or high-sugar foods like cookies, cakes or milkshakes. Avoid apples, pears and cherry juice, in particular.

Avoid sugar free foods including gum and mints. The artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, can cause diarrhea.

Even after diarrhea has subsided, you may experience lactose intolerance. This is normal so it's best to avoid any dairy products for at least a week after the diarrhea has stopped.

Foods to Eat

When you're suffering from chronic diarrhea you should eat a bland diet. Eat things like bananas; they tend to be binding. Also eat plain rice, boiled potatoes and toast, all with no butter. Crackers and cooked carrots are also gentle on your system. You can also eat skinless, fat-free baked chicken.
Yogurt is the exception to dairy. Look for yogurt that contains acidophilus, which is helpful to the digestive tract.

Rehydrate

It is important to rehydrate after bouts of diarrhea. Drink water, but you also need to replace lost electrolytes. You can use an electrolyte drink such as Gatorade or, for children, Pedialyte. Soup or broths with salt and fruits and vegetables containing potassium will also replace electrolytes. White grape juice is a good choice if you want juice.

Probiotics

Consider taking high quality probiotics such as Florastor, which can be found in almost any pharmacy without a prescription or you can purchase Shaklee's Optiflora. These help restore the balance in the digestive system. Probiotics also help strengthen the immune system.

Possible Causes

A gluten intolerance or celiac disease could be the cause of diarrhea. Your physician can test you for this. Lactose intolerance can also cause diarrhea. It may be wise to avoid these foods until tests can be run to determine whether you have an intolerance or allergies.