7 Foods to Relieve Diarrhea

Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS

Written By Amy Rushlow on May 10, 2021

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  Eat to Calm Your Diarrhea

  When you have diarrhea, you want it gone ASAP. Eating can help shorten the duration of your symptoms. But some foods can also make symptoms worse. Luckily, these seven smart foods to choose when you’re dealing with diarrhea are often sitting in your kitchen cupboard or fridge.
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  1. Broth-based Soup

  When you have diarrhea, you lose fluids along with salt and other minerals that maintain the fluid balance in your body. Broth-based soups help replace salt and fluid to prevent dehydration. Try chicken, beef or vegetable broth.
   
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  2. Bananas

  Soft, bland foods, such as bananas, are best when you have diarrhea. Bananas are also high in potassium, one of the important minerals you need to replenish. Plain rice and boiled potatoes are other good choices in this category.
   
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  3. White Toast

  Plain toast is another good bland food to nibble. Avoid whole-wheat toast, though, which is often high in fiber. High-fiber foods can make you go to the bathroom more frequently.
   
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  4. Canned Fruit

  Raw fruits and vegetables can make diarrhea worse because they have a lot of fiber. Fiber makes your stool take up more water as it passes through the intestine, leading to softer stools. Most canned fruit, however, is easy on your stomach. Fruits also help replenish electrolytes. Opt for fruit in light syrup or water to reduce the amount of sugar.
   
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  5. Soy Milk

  You might have difficulty digesting dairy products during and after you have diarrhea. Try a nondairy milk, such as soy milk or almond milk, instead. Dairy products also have the potential to cause gas and bloating.
   
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  6. Baked Chicken

  Fried, greasy foods can worsen diarrhea. Choose lean meats, such as chicken, turkey or fish, prepared without the skin and baked or broiled.
   
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  7. Gelatin

  Experts recommend drinking more than three quarts of clear liquid daily when you have diarrhea. Enjoy a bowl of gelatin, which counts toward your clear-liquid requirement, to help meet the mark.
   

7 Foods to Relieve Diarrhea

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