Diarrhea is most often caused by viral or bacterial infections. A proper diet can alleviate troublesome ailments and prevent, sometimes very dangerous, complications. When the symptoms last longer, the risk of dehydration increases – the level of valuable electrolytes, necessary for the proper functioning of the body, decreases. So, there is a shortage of potassium, sodium, carbohydrates and chlorine. So what to eat during this difficult time?
Diarrhea diet basics
Diet is one of the most important elements of diarrhea therapy – thanks to it, you can reduce the frequency of bowel movements and change the consistency of the stool. But you must not return to your usual diet as soon as the symptoms subside – you should follow the dietary recommendations for a few more days to regulate the passage of food content.
The diet during diarrhea should be primarily easily digestible to relieve the stomach and not to aggravate digestive disorders. You should prepare dishes with less fat and dietary fiber in an insoluble form, which can aggravate the problem (its fibers stimulate peristaltic movements of the intestines). Water-soluble fiber, on the other hand, can relieve diarrhea – its ability to bind water helps relieve symptoms. So it is worth reaching for boiled carrots, apple or banana mousse.
People who struggle with diarrhea should enrich their diet with potassium – the element helps maintain the body’s water and electrolyte balance. Valuable ingredients include: in potatoes and bananas.
What to remember during diarrhoea?
During diarrhea, dehydration should be prevented, so you should drink as much as possible, preferably highly mineralized still water, which replenishes lost minerals. It is also worth reaching for weak tea and herbal infusions – infusions of black berries, lemon balm and St. John’s wort are especially useful. Chamomile tea can help to relieve bloating. When preparing food, remember about the correct cooking techniques. So you can steam, stew, or bake in foil, but you must not add a drop of fat. Frying, frying – especially in deep fat – is prohibited. The diet during diarrhea should include constipating foods that do not irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. It is worth consuming products containing tannins that have a protective effect on the intestinal mucosa. When the ailments subside, you can add fermented milk products to the menu, which contain probiotic bacteria that regulate the functioning of the intestines.
What to eat if you have diarrhea?
During diarrhea, you can reach for purified cereal products, such as stale bread, semolina, white rice. Do not forget about vegetables – boiled potatoes, carrots and pumpkin will not cause any problems. As for fruits, it is worth choosing bananas, blueberries, blueberries, black currants, and also prepare apple mousses. Fatty meats are not recommended, but the diet can include lean skinless poultry and sea fish. In addition, you should have homemade puddings and jellies on hand (instant products should be absolutely avoided) and rusks. Certainly, light vegetable soups, not whitened, without roux, prepared on the basis of vegetable broths will come in handy. You can also prepare rice gruels or overcooked rice with carrots.