Programs and Services

Nutrition Services

Diarrhea

• Eat small frequent meals and snacks that are bland and low in fat. These are digested easier.
• Drink plenty of fluids such as broths and diluted juices.
• Drink fluids between meals, not with them.
  • Choose non-carbonated, non-caffeinated fluids.
• Sports drinks (such as Gatorade) or Pedialyte can help replace lost electrolytes.
  • Homemade Electrolyte Replacement Recipe: 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon corn syrup, 6 ounces can frozen orange juice, 6 cups water. Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate.
• Limit milk and milk products, these may make diarrhea worse.
  • Substitute milk with Lactaid, soy milk, or rice milk.
• Avoid very hot, very cold, spicy, or very sweet foods – these can exacerbate symptoms.
• Avoid fatty and fried foods.
• Avoid insoluble fiber. This is found in skins of fruits, vegetables, potatoes, bran, seeds and nuts, wheat germ, whole grain and wheat, and many vegetables such as corn and leafy greens.
• Include soluble fiber. This is found in oatmeal, barley, rice, and the inside of apples and pears.
• Benefiber is an over-the-counter soluble fiber supplement that may increase regularity and decrease frequency of bowel movements. Mix 1 Tbsp with 8 oz water and drink. Repeat twice daily.
• Probiotic Supplements (Culturelle or New Chapter All-Flora): These help replenish the good bacteria that normally reside in the intestines. They also help to feed your gut cells to keep them healthy and better able to absorb nutrients.