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Foods to Include in Your Diet When Suffering from Diarrhea

Diarrhea is an illness which makes a person very weak. This is a type of illness that almost everyone has suffered at least once in their life. When one suffers from diarrhea, they tend to lose a lot of nutrients that they would intake in the form of foods or drinks. It is, therefore, important that you get the essential nutrients to maintain good health in this condition. However, there are a lot of restrictions laid on the diet when you are suffering from diarrhea.

Foods to Include in Your Diet When Suffering from Diarrhea
Here is a list of all the food items that you can include in your diet when you have diarrhea:

Bananas
Bananas are considered bland, and it is easily digested as well. Thus, it is a good option to eat bananas to settle your upset digestive system. The high amount of potassium present in bananas helps replenish electrolytes that you have lost by severe diarrhea bouts. Bananas contain a soluble fiber known as pectin. It works toward absorbing the liquid present in the intestines thereby making the stool move along smoothly. This treats both diarrhea and constipation. Introduce bananas to your diet when you’re suffering from diarrhea to restore balance to your digestive system.

Boiled white rice
Boiled white rice contains a high amount of carbohydrates, and it is easily digested as well. Since rice is binding; it helps firm up loose stool. including plain rice or rice cooked in chicken broth in your diet when you are suffering from diarrhea helps provide relief from it. Avoid eating fatty, oily spicy, and dairy-based sauces since they are not suitable for anyone having diarrhea.

Pancakes, pasta, white bread
Whole wheat is generally the healthier option; however, when you have diarrhea, you would do better with white flour food items like pasta, pancakes, or white bread. White bread contains little fiber; hence, it is easy to digest. However, you should not add too much sugar or fat to your diet when you have diarrhea. Thus, avoid margarine, butter, jam, honey, or syrup as much as you can. Also, do not consume sugar-free items containing sugar alcohols. The same applies to pasta. You can use a little butter or a dab of olive oil while preparing pasta but avoid any milk-based, oily and spicy sauces.

Mashed potatoes
Potatoes are known as comfort food and have a high potassium content. Though the skins are also very nutritious, you need to avoid the same when you are suffering from diarrhea. Peel the potatoes and microwave, steam, or boil them. You can add a little salt for taste and flavor but avoid excessive use of margarine, sour cream, butter, or gravy. Oil and fat can irritate your system which is quite sensitive at this moment and result in amplified intestinal cramping.

Baked, steamed, broiled chicken, lean meat
Steam chicken is an easily digestible source of protein due to its brand nature. This is probably the safest way to get some nutrients into your body. You need to keep the preparation simple and avoid using butter or oil when you cook the chicken. If you are able to steam the chicken, you can broil or bake the same. Just ensure to baste the chicken with broth or water so that it does not dry out. You can also have lean cuts of pork, beef, turkey, and fish and include these in your diet when you’re suffering from diarrhea.

Yogurt
Dairy products are not suggested for people suffering from diarrhea except the humble yogurt. Choose yogurt that contains active or live bacterial cultures. To be specific, look for Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum in the yogurt. You need to buy the one that does not contain artificial sweeteners or has a high sugar level. These can result in loose stool and excessive intestinal gas. Go for lactose-free variants of yogurt if you are lactose intolerance.

Chicken broth
Chicken soup is one solution that can treat any ailment including diarrhea. Having soup is extremely soothing. Moreover, chicken broth replenishes the nutrients and electrolytes lost due to the repeated bouts of diarrhea. The warm broth would provide extra comfort to your stomach.

Farina, oatmeal, cream of wheat, and corn flakes
Farina, oatmeal, cream of wheat, and corn flakes are some of the good choices for breakfast when you are suffering from diarrhea. Oatmeal has soluble fibers and works as a bulking agent for the stool. It is important to limit the intake of honey, sugar, and dairy products as you normally take with cold or hot cereal. You can add a banana to sweeten the meal and get its benefits as well.

Vegetables
Vegetables provide proper nutrition which is a must in your diet if you are suffering from diarrhea. You need to peel the vegetables, remove the seeds and then cook them. You can eat peeled zucchini, acorn squash, beets, green beans, carrots, etc. Avoid vegetables that are harder to digest and cause gas like corn, green leafy vegetables, peas, peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.

Sports drink and pretzels
Diarrhea is responsible for a loss of electrolytes from your body. It is important to replace them as often as possible. Pretzels are baked items made with refined flour and have salt. They are a good option to include in your diet when suffering from diarrhea. You can also take electrolyte replacement sports drinks.

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