How to Eat to Calm Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of reasons including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn's Disease, taking certain prescription medications, eating an unhealthy diet, hormone changes or having a cold or the flu. Many times, the first reaction to having diarrhea is to stop eating and only drink liquids. However, Barbara Bradley Bolen, Ph.D., believes that eating certain foods may actually help calm your stomach and diarrhea better than eating nothing at all. Here are foods that can help to calm your diarrhea.

Instructions

• 1

  Do Try Applesauce - Applesauce contains pectin, a soluble fiber that helps absorb liquid in the intestines, and nutrients that can help your body stay healthy while calming diarrhea. Make sure to eat applesauce, not apples. A raw apple contains high quantities of fiber that is more difficult to digest while the cooked applesauce is much easier on the digestive system.

• 2

  Eat Dried Blueberries - Dried blueberries help reduce inflammation and also have antibacterial properties and are a good source of antioxidants. They also contain pectin. You can eat the dried blueberries or make a tea out of them by crushing the dried blueberries and boiling for 10 minutes.

• 3

  Try Eating Bananas - Bananas are a bland food that can help calm diarrhea. They also contain pectin as well as another soluble fiber, inulin, which is also a prebiotic. Bananas are also rich in potassium, an important nutrient to replace while suffering from bouts of diarrhea.

• 4

  Add Nutmeg to Food - Adding small amounts of nutmeg to foods helps to slow down the movement of digested foods in the intestines and can calm diarrhea.

• 5

  Drink Clear Juices - Drinking clear juices such as apple, pear or peach, keeps the body hydrated and gives the body essential sugar for energy during bouts of diarrhea. Stay away from citrus juices which can be hard on the stomach and intestines.

• 6

  Eat White Rice, White Bread and Mashed Potatoes - Foods that are high in starch instead of high in fiber are easily digested so they can help calm diarrhea. Do not add butter or gravy or any high-fat topping which can make digestion difficult.

• 7

  Do Eat Crackers - Processed wheat crackers are the best for settling the stomach because they are not as difficult to digest as whole grain crackers. Plus, crackers are a good way to replace lost sodium in the body.

• 8

  Drink Tea - Try drinking peppermint, chamomile or ginger tea to sooth and settle your stomach. Tea is also good for keeping your body hydrated.

• 9

  Do Drink Plenty of Fluids - It is recommended to drink three quarts of clear fluids a day to keep your body hydrated. Drink purified or spring water, clear juices, drinks with electrolytes and tea.

• 10

  Avoid These Foods - When you are hit with a bout of diarrhea it is best to avoid foods that can aggravate it or even cause it to continue longer. Foods to avoid are chocolate, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, fatty or fried foods, high acid foods, high fiber foods like raw vegetables and fruit, beans and brown rice, milk and cheese, and empty calorie foods like cookies, cakes and candy.

• 11

  See a Doctor if Diarrhea Persists - If diarrhea persists for a period of several days or you are unable to keep liquids down, then see a doctor immediately. You can become dehydrated and extremely ill if diarrhea is left untreated.