What diet/ food to be eaten/consumed while having diarrhea/ Loose motions?

69 Comments / General well being / By

Our lifestyle has drastically changed due to which our choices of food have taken a toll as well. I have many clients who come to me with various digestive issues. Mos of them have diarrhea or loose motions as common problem. It is good that they know that they face these symptoms when they eat something  junky or eat outside food. So i would like to discuss what to eat when you suffer from diarrhea or loose motions.

Frequency of eating out is going on increasing day by day due to which problem of food poisoning is also increasing. When we talk about food poisoning, basic symptom is diarrhea. It is very essential that diarrhea is cured in short period of time because it empty’s up all the water preserves of the body and imbalances the water electrolytes and thereby causing dehydration. So diarrhea is a very small symptom but recommended to take action to stop it in order to maintain healthy electrolyte balance of the body.

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A very common habit of every lay man is to stop eating or reduce oral intake to subside diarrhea. But that is not the correction solution. Body needs energy for its function. If you reduce the supply of energy body further goes into trauma because diarrhea is malfunctioning of the intestine where the bowel movements have increased causing multiple loose motions caused by infection, gastroenteritis, or dyspepsia.

When someone experiences diarrhea, first thing to be stopped is milk and its products. After that green leafy vegetables and whole pulses. These are the common tips to stop diarrhea. These don’ts are known by majority of the people. Soft Drinks, alcohol, fatty foods, and fruit juices have also to be avoided because it can aggravate the diarrhea (osmotic Diarrhea). Raw fruits and vegetables also have to be avoided as they are high in fiber and increase loose motions. Majorly low residue food should be the choice of food.

Here I would like to introduce to a special diet specially designed for diarrhea is called “BRAT” diet. Where,

B = Banana

R = Rice

A = Apple (mashed, Peeled)

T = Toast/ Tea (black)

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BRAT diet is practiced by most of the nutritionist as it gives excellent results and helps to control diarrhea in a small period of time. It binds motion and improves the condition. BRAT diet has many other advantages:

 

How to start BRAT diet in a patient having diarrhea?

  1. First of all, as I said that water balance of the body has been disturbed it is important to fill those water reserves. So increase intake of water, clear liquids like fresh lime juice, Coconut water, non-caffeinated juices, sodas, Oral rehydration solution to avoid dehydration
  2. Quantity of clear liquids has to be gradually increased as per the tolerance starting with few sips at a time.
  3. If the liquids are properly tolerated without feeling of nausea and vomiting, gradually BRAT diet can be started.
  4. Bananas are considered helpful to bind stools and cause constipation. So it is best to start your diet with.
  5. Include rice to the meal as it has gelling property. It absorbs the extra water in the intestine and helps in binding stools. It also reduces the transit time of intestine as it is very low in fiber.
  6. Apples also have soluble fiber which has properly to absorb water and form gel like substance. Apple without skin in the mashed form or sauce form is to be considered
  7. Toasts  also consider because they also have property of binding stool ad it gives energy because patient is not able to eat anything else.
  8. Maida products can be included for e.g. pasta, Semolina, rice products.
  9. Even after your symptoms have subsided, avoid raw vegetables, milk, cheese, coffee and fried or fatty foods for a week.

These are the ways in which you can help reduce or stop diarrhea through making changes in your diet. But instead of these changes if your diarrhea doesn’t subside please consult your health specialist/ physician.

Also go through the similar article.

69 thoughts on “What diet/ food to be eaten/consumed while having diarrhea/ Loose motions?”

    1. Neha Kava

      Hello Kuldeep,
      Have white Pav with coffee ( More water less milk) or a chapati of maida. This should help.

      Regards.

      Reply
  2. anita

    i m 29 yr old, everyday i wake up due to stomach pain in d morning. this pain lasts for 5 to 10 min. also after having meal, or in between meal also, again my stomach pain starts .. this is happening from ladt one week, doc gave me pan40 n emigo tab, no results… plz suggest wats wrng with me

    Reply
    1. Neha Kava

      Hi Anita,

      Do you eat too spicy food?? or you eat meals with long gaps?? Are you facing acidity problems?? If none of these then kindly visit a Gastroenterologist and follow the advise.
      Yours symptoms are similar to that of stomach ulcers.

      Regards

      Reply
  3. Priyanka

    I’m suffering from bad loose motion for 2 weeks now been to doc the hv given med however thr is no relief wat can I eat I don’t like rice..pls suggest

    Reply
    1. Neha Kava

      Hello Priyanka,

      Eat white breads, apple, banana, pomegranate, maida roti, black or less milk coffee, curd, moong dal khichdi.

      Regards

      Reply
  4. Rinchen

    I’m having stomach pain due to cold weather. So, I used to wrap muffler around the stomach and it gives instant relieve. But I think it has effects. But if I don’t do so, loose motion starts! What to do? What kind of problem it is?

    Reply
    1. Neha Kava

      Hello Richen,

      I don’t think wrapping a muffler around your stomach will reduce the pain and removing it could cause loose motions. But i would suggest to keep sipping in warm water and see how are the results.

      Regards

      Reply
    2. Dhruvjyoti

      Hi , suddenly my wife has got stomach pain today and having loose motion 9 times till nw, I hv given her ofloxacin capsule and ORS , will it does work. Still pain is there.

      Reply
    1. Neha Kava

      Hello Mr. Pabir,

      Please have brat diet. Eat curd rice, khichdi, breads, banana, apples, lemon water,ORS (electral powder), dark coffee, tea. Avoid milk and fruit juices.

      Regards

      Reply
  6. Pavan

    Hello mam
    I have a problem whenever I eat spicy or chilly items I easily get diarrhea it’s make me so sad due to this I’m not sociable person and I get immediate stools after eating dal
    Thanks in advance

    Reply
    1. Neha Kava

      Hello Pavan,
      You body is not able to tolerate spicy food. Why would it come in between socializing. Everywhere you have option in eating food with more spice or less spice. Feed your body as per the requirements.. There is no harm is avoiding spicy food if your body i snot accepting..

      Regards

      Reply
  7. Sam

    I have started stomach pain and vomating 1day ago know i feel beter but when i was eat something pain started in my stomach and chest like gas dosent comeout what diet i take

    Reply
    1. Neha Kava

      Dear Sam,
      Have small frequent meals and more fluids. Eat 2 fresh fruits also.. Eat garlic, ginger, black salt, ajwain in your diet

      Regards

      Reply
    1. Neha Kava

      Hello Radhika,

      You can definitely take Lemon water during loose motion. It is the best drink to have during loose motions. You can also alter with buttermilk.

      Regards

      Reply
  9. Rahul Hajong

    Im hvng dysentry sir since last month its more than 3 weeks n the medicine is not working as well its really problm to attnd the class so what shall i do Sir…??? Any tips….!

    Reply
    1. Neha Kava

      Hello Rahul,
      Did you try BRAT diet?
      Go completely on white breads,banana, apple, curds, rice, khichdi etc

      Regards

      Reply
  11. carolyn

    A week ago i was suffering from loose motion and i realized that i was due to eating dal. I took antibiotic and stop eating dal even. But after 2 week i eat dal again in my 2 meal but the same thing happen i.e loose motion. Can you suggest me anything

    Reply
  14. Manjot

    I do latrine after each meal in liquid form nd sometimes i fart(no sound) latrine comes with it also .this problem is from nearly 10 months.i go to every doctor but after leaving their medicine same occurs again.i m fed of it nd what is this disease i m not understanding.please reply….

    Reply
  16. rachel

    Hello,

    I think i have gastric problem. So when i ate Biryani i drank one tea spoon of Gelusil. From next day onwards i’m having difficult stool like suddenly i’m waking up in the middle of the night and running to washroom again in the morning my stomach feels completely full with gas and again visiting washroom.

    Can you please describe me what kind of problem is this.

    Reply
      1. rachel

        Yes, it started on Tuesday, still it is repeating. Daily in the morning the problem is repeating.

        I ate Bananas also no change observed. Couldnt sleep at all 🙁

        Reply
  18. Archana

    Hello mam,

    I m archana. I want to know the diet for getting slim and shaped and good looking body. Also, suggest the diet to reduce my jaw lines.

    Regards!

    Reply
    2. Gulab

      Best of all diet as my experience is concerned is massed curd and banana massed (one banana and 100 gms of fresh curd will do) taken 3 times a day do miracle

      Reply
  22. Tina

    My son is having loosr motion and he has to go to school as his test are going on. Please suggest what should i give him in tiffin

    Reply
  23. TAMIL SELVAN

    Hi neha , I’m seriously affected by loose motion and nausea “vomiting”. So will u pls give clear solution for this abut what kind of food and liquid items can I take.

    Reply
  25. Ginny

    hello mam,
    I am 5 months pregnant and just had idli n sambhal home made but now having bowel movements in stomach and frequent motions so what to do.thankss

    Reply
  26. Shweta

    Hello mam,
    My husband is suffering from loose motion from past 4-5 months.we are living in abroad we went to doctor so many times but they couldn’t find what the problem is. please help us and suggest me what shoud i do to make him healthy.i’ll be very thankful.

    Reply
  28. Maneesha

    Dear Ms. Heha,
    My son is severely suffering from loose motions for the past 3 days which has agrevated and now has the fever too. Just started with crocin advance tablet. How useful is lomotil. Can bana be eaten during fever?
    Please advice. Thanks

    Reply
    1. Neha Kava

      Hello Maneesha,

      You can give him BRAT diet.
      How old is your Son?
      Give him white bread- butter, tea (less Milk, elaichi banana, Electral powder)

      Regards

      Reply
  29. rohit gupta

    Mam i have loose motion i can take probiotic and prebiotic but nothing happens it hone be worse more so please help me mam what can i take which tablet i will take i have stomach erosions also i will take pantosec dsr and zantac so please suggest me something thanks

    Reply
      1. ROHIT GUPTA

        Mam subah ko namak wali roti curd k saath or lassi dupahar ko mung daal or roti or sham ko bhi moong daal or roti mam mera leaky gut bhi hain or mere erosions bhi ho gaye they stomach main .or main subah sham acid k capsules or prebiotic or probiotic leta hoon or mera saara food undigested nikal jaata hain to doctor bola prebiotic or probiotic se hi deek hoga thoda time lagega

        Reply
  31. Antara Das

    Hello mam,
    I am suffering from IBS-D for last 3 years..I am working women so it’s more difficulties for me so pls suggestion my diet chart…thanking you

    Reply

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