Dealing with chronic diarrhea (or even just diarrhea in general) can be a major nuisance. And while changing your diet may help you get it under control, some foods may do exactly the opposite. Make sure you know how the things you eat are going to affect your gastrointestinal system. Here’s a look at foods that may be making your diarrhea worse.
Dairy Foods
For some people, drinking milk and other dairy products can have a constipating effect. But if you are lactose intolerant, chances are the dairy section works the other way around for you. Your lactose intolerance might not be severe enough to have merited really looking into why you get bloated and gassy every time you eat ice cream, but if you’re already dealing with diarrhea and you know your stomach is sensitive to milk products, steer clear. Even though some yogurts have acidophilus (a natural probiotic) and other gut-friendly attributes, the lactose is probably going to outweigh the good effects. And even if you aren’t lactose intolerant, dairy can still make your diarrhea worse.
Insoluble Fiber
Fiber is great for the gut -- but that depends on what’s wrong with your gut and what kind of fiber you’re eating. The good news is, fiber can help both diarrhea and constipation. The bad news is, the wrong kind of fiber can make diarrhea worse. Soluble fiber soaks up the water in diarrhea and makes it firmer. But your stomach can’t digest insoluble fiber, so while it may ease constipation, it exacerbates diarrhea. While fiber-rich foods generally have both types, they usually have more of one than the other. Foods high in insoluble fiber include fruits with peels or seeds (apples or berries), brown rice, many vegetables, and whole wheat.
Fatty Foods
Yes, nearly every food has fat in it, but some foods are made specifically for that attribute. Foods with a fatty content can make your digestive tract move faster than usual -- which is no good for a system that’s already experiencing diarrhetic spasms. Steer clear of fried foods, red meats (like hamburgers), and anything with gravy, butter, cream, or grease. Even peanut butter and other butters made from nuts have a high enough fat content that they can interfere with regaining firm stools. And just to be on the safe side, most experts recommend avoiding eating a lot of nuts, too.
Certain Beverages
It is important to replace the fluid you lose when you have diarrhea, but be careful about your beverage of choice. You already know to stay away from milk, but steer clear of diet or sugar-free sodas and drinks as well. The artificial sweeteners used to replace sugar have a tendency to cause gastrointestinal distress, and may make diarrhea worse. Additionally, avoid anything with caffeine in it, like tea and coffee. Caffeine is a natural diuretic, which means it encourages your body to get rid of the liquid in it. While this usually just makes you have to urinate more frequently, caffeine can act as a sort of natural laxative as well. Once your diarrhea subsides, you can start adding these foods back in slowly -- but don’t go crazy, as you may experience a reversal of symptoms.
