Eating When You Have Diarrhea
If you have diarrhea as a side effect of breast cancer treatment, the most important thing to do is to drink lots of fluid. Drinks like water, weak herbal tea, apple juice, or clear broth can help to prevent dehydration.
But eating is also important: your body needs calories and essential nutrients to better tolerate treatment. So what should you eat — and what should you avoid?
Foods to eat when you have diarrhea
When you have diarrhea, a meal might be the last thing on your mind. But eating small portions of plain foods can help. The following foods and drinks are gentle on your digestive system. Since diarrhea is loose and watery, some foods can help bulk up your bowel movements and improve diarrhea.
The BRAT diet
The BRAT diet consists of bland foods that are thought to be gentle on the stomach. It stands for:
Bananas (ripe)
Rice (white)
Applesuce
Toast (white)
Historically, doctors recommended that people with diarrhea (or vomiting) stick to these four foods. However, doctors rarely recommend eating only these four foods now since it’s so restrictive and lacks essential nutrients. Combining the BRAT diet with other foods is a good idea.
Foods with pectin and other soluble fiber
Pectin is a soluble fiber: That means it absorbs excess water, and because of this, it adds bulk to stool. Foods that are high in pectin include boiled potatoes (without skin) and applesauce.
Other foods high in soluble fiber include oats, boiled carrots, canned fruits, and chia seeds.
Other bland and binding foods
Soda crackers, plain white pasta, boiled or baked chicken breast, low-fiber cereal, and cooked squash are also well tolerated during bouts of diarrhea.
Drinks with electrolytes
Your body loses fluid when you have diarrhea, and along with it, essential electrolytes — potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphate. Sports drinks, Pedialyte, coconut water, and clear broths contain electrolytes.
Foods to avoid
Some foods and drinks can make diarrhea worse, especially if they have ingredients or nutrients that make food move faster through the gut.
Foods high in insoluble fiber
Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water, so it can make food move through the digestive tract faster — this can make diarrhea worse. Whole grains, nuts, seeds, and raw vegetables should be avoided.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant, and stimulants can speed up metabolism and gut motility, meaning they can make food move faster through the digestive tract. It can even cause increased muscle contractions in the colon. Decaf or herbal tea will be easier on your system while you have diarrhea.
Alcohol
Alcohol can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines, which speeds up digestion, and it draws water into the intestines, which makes stool more watery. It also disrupts the gut microbiome and affects the way the body absorbs nutrients. So it’s best to avoid alcoholic drinks when you have diarrhea.
Carbonated drinks
The bubbles in soda and other carbonated drinks add gas to the gastrointestinal tract, potentially making diarrhea worse.
Milk and dairy products
Even if you’re not lactose intolerant, dairy can be hard to digest. Avoiding full-fat milk, cream, cheese, and ice cream while you have diarrhea is a good idea. The exception to this rule? Yogurt and kefir — they contain live and active probiotics, which help restore good bacteria in your gut.
High-fat, fried, greasy, and/or rich foods
Foods high in fat are harder for the body to digest — and when you have diarrhea, your digestive system is already stressed. If your intestines are already irritated and inflamed, your body may not be able to absorb the fat in food. Instead, it travels through the digestive tract and can make stool looser.
Artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners, especially sugar alcohols, can act as laxatives. Sugar alcohols are made from plants and are lower in calories. Common sugar alcohols include xylitol, maltitol, and sorbitol. They’re often found in diet products like sodas and sugar-free sweets.
Spicy foods
Many spicy foods can irritate the stomach lining and intestines and cause contractions that make stool move quickly through the digestive tract.
FAQ
Do bananas help with diarrhea?
Yes. Bananas have pectin, an insoluble fiber that helps absorb excess water in the intestines. Note: ripe bananas have higher concentrations of pectin than green/unripe bananas, so they help absorb excess water in the intestines more effectively, making stool more solid.
Is apple juice good for diarrhea?
Apple juice can be helpful for mild diarrhea, but most experts recommend diluting it with water (50% apple juice, 50% water).
Is Jell-O good for diarrhea?
Gelatin is considered a “clear liquid” that can help prevent dehydration when diarrhea strikes. Experts recommend avoiding colored gelatin — some people have sensitivities to food dyes, and symptoms include diarrhea — so plain is best.
