Worst foods for diarrhea: Foods that aggravate the digestive system

Have diarrhea? Well, there are some food items that are considered the worst foods for diarrhea and must be avoided at any cost if you don’t want to aggravate your health situation.

When you have diarrhea, it's very important to know what food items and drinks you must consume and avoid to prevent exacerbating your condition. You don’t want to worsen your gut health by eating or drinking the wrong thing. So to help you manage your condition, we will walk you through some food items that can make your diarrhea worse.

Before that, though, let’s know a bit more about diarrhea and its causes.

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Diarrhea and its major causes

When diarrhea persists from days into week, it can lead to IBS. (Photo via Pexels/cottonbro studio)

Diarrhea is a common problem among people. It refers to loose and watery bowel movements that may be associated with other symptoms as well. That includes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, dehydration and weight loss.

Fortunately, with the help of the right diet and medication, you can get rid of diarrhea in a few days. However, if it persists from days into weeks, it indicates that you may have irritable bowel syndrome or other serious gut disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease or persistent infection.

Many health conditions and other factors can cause diarrhea. That includes parasites, bacteria, viruses, lactose intolerance, side effects of medications, artificial sweeteners, fructose, and other digestive problems like celiac disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and ulcerative colitis.

Whether your diarrhea is caused by a chronic condition, food poisoning, or something else, keep in mind that food and diarrhea are linked. So it's best to avoid certain foods if you want to recover fast. So, what are some of the worst foods to eat with diarrhea?

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Worst foods for diarrhea

Here are the five worst ones:

#1 Dairy products

Dairy items are one of the worst foods for diarrhea, as they contain lactose that might get difficult to digest.

Undigested lactose can lead to several digestive problems, including bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Some common lactose-containing dairy products include cheese, sour cream, milk and ice cream.

#2 Seeds and nuts

Seeds and nuts are some of the worst foods for diarrhea. (Photo via Pexels/Miguel A. Padriñán)

Seeds and nuts like flaxseeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, walnuts and almonds are all the worst foods for diarrhea, as they contain insoluble magnesium and fiber, which causes them to pass through the body quickly, worsening your gut health.

#3 Gas-producing foods

Certain gas-producing food items, including some vegetables and fruits, are also considered the worst foods for diarrhea, as they produce gas and aggravate the symptoms.

Some of the gassiest foods you should avoid when suffering from diarrhea include cabbage, plums, cauliflower, beans, pears, broccoli, dried fruits, onions and peaches. Avoid consuming these vegetables and fruits till your stomach condition improves.

#4 Fatty foods

Fried and fatty foods are worst foods for diarrhea. (Photo via Pexels/Brett Jordan)

Fatty foods, including all types of fast food, creamy foods and fried foods can exacerbate your digestion and diarrhea. So, it'simportant to avoid the, and opt for healthier food choices like lean protein, turkey and white chicken when you get a watery stool.

Other worst foods to avoid:

• Raw vegetables
• Packaged and processed foods
• Fatty meats such as pork and sardines
• Legumes such as lentils, peas, and chickpeas

Alongside the aforementioned worst foods for diarrhea, you must also avoid artificial sweeteners containing foods and drinks like alcohol, caffeine and all types of canned beverages, as they have a laxative effect that can increase bloating and gas.

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What to eat with diarrhea?

Till you feel better, it's best to opt for healthier food choices to calm your digestive system, but what food stops diarrhea?

Having bland foods can provide you relief and help you recover quickly. This is where the BRAT diet comes in. The BRAT diet includes bananas, white rice, apples and toast. All these foods don’t aggravate the digestive system and are really helpful in easing diarrhea. As these foods are binding, they firm up the stool and provide quick relief.

Other healthier options include boiled potatoes, oatmeal, rice porridge, unseasoned crackers, decaf or herbal tea and probiotics like kefir and yogurt. Probiotic foods help with digestion and improve the balance of bad and good bacteria in the digestive system.