Diarrhea is a common digestive problem with frequent passing of loose, watery motions. It is a symptom of bowel infection or food poisoning. Often diarrhea resolves within 24 – 48 hrs (acute- short term), while in some cases it can last for four weeks or more (chronic- long term). Sometimes, it is the side-effect of antibiotic drugs, due to destruction of beneficial bacteria in your intestines along with pathogenic bacteria.
In absence of proper treatment, diarrhea can lead to complications like severe dehydration and weakness, due to loss of body fluids and essential nutrients on one hand, and mal-absorption of nutrients from the foods taken (if any) on the other. With proper diet and nutrition you can control diarrhea and ensure fast and easy recovery.
For effective diarrhea relief follow these food recommendations and nutrition tips -
1. Replace the fluids and electrolyte lost from the body : Take readymade Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) to replace lost electrolytes or make ORS at home by adding 1 pinch salt and 1 tsp sugar in 1 glass of boiled cooled water. You can also use 1 part unsweetened pure fruit juice diluted with 4 parts of water. To replace fluids lost during diarrhea drink water, clear soups, and green herbal teas in small sips frequently (roughly 150 to 200 ml. of fluid/hour).
2. Eat foods that are easy to digest and help in controlling diarrhea : Eat several small, light meals a day comprising starchy foods like banana, plain rice or khichdi, toast, boiled potatoes without skin. These are the best diet foods for diarrhea relief, as these encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut. Also consume curd, a natural probiotic that has friendly bacteria and improves your gut health. You can also try turmeric powder and garlic, the effective home remedies for curing diarrhea naturally. With recovery you can include fresh fruit juices i.e. orange, lemon, pineapple, pomegranate; butter-milk; coconut water; and cooked carrots and other vegetables. Barley water mixed with equal quantity of milk and sugar is also helpful.
3. Avoid foods that can worsen diarrhea : You need to avoid some foods especially the fiber rich foods (i.e. whole grains, beans, nuts, fruits, all vegetables except tomato) that are otherwise considered healthy for your gut health. Also keep yourself away from fried, spicy, heavy, fatty foods, sweets and caffeine (tea, coffee, cola). Don’t eat solid foods and drink milk or milk-drinks, sugary drinks and undiluted fruit juices as these can further aggravate the symptoms.
Sample Diet Plan for Diarrhea by Dr. Deeksha Sharma
Sunday
Monday
Breakfast:Clear veg. soup (with garlic and turmeric seasoning)
Mid-morning Snack:1 banana
Lunch:Plain rice+ curd (with garlic and turmeric seasoning)
Evening Snack: 1 cup green tea
Dinner:Boiled potatoes+ curd (with garlic and turmeric seasoning)
Breakfast:Clear veg. soup (with garlic and turmeric seasoning) + toast
Mid-morning Snack:1 banana
Lunch:Plain rice+ curd (with garlic and turmeric seasoning)+ 1 bowl boiled potatoes
Evening Snack: 1 cup green tea + 2 Biscuits
Dinner:Khichdi with curd (with garlic and turmeric seasoning)
Tuesday
Wednesday
Breakfast:Clear veg. soup (with garlic and turmeric seasoning)+toast
Mid-morning Snack:1 banana + Barley water mixed with milk and sugar
Lunch:Plain rice+ curd (with garlic and turmeric seasoning)+ 1 bowl cooked carrot-potato veggieEvening Snack: 1 cup green tea + 2 Biscuits
Dinner:Khichdi with curd (with garlic and turmeric seasoning)
Breakfast: Poha + 1 Banana
Mid-morning Snack:1 glass coconut water
Lunch:2 Whole wheat rotis or 1 roti & 1bowl plain rice+ 1 bowl veggies+ 1 bowl curd
Evening Snack: Fresh pomegranate juice
Dinner:2 Whole Wheat rotis +1 bowl veg. curry
Thursday
Friday
Breakfast*: Idli + 1 seasonal fruit
Mid-morning Snack:1 cup dahi with cut fruits/yogurt
Lunch:2 Whole wheat rotis or 1 roti & 1bowl plain rice+1 bowl dal +1 bowl veggies+ 1 bowl curd
Evening Snack: Fresh pineapple juice
Dinner:2 Whole Wheat rotis +1 bowl veg. curry
Breakfast*: Dosa/Moong dal Cheela + 1 seasonal fruit
Mid-morning Snack:1 glass buttermilk
Lunch:2 Whole wheat rotis or 1 roti & 1bowl brown rice+ 1 bowl dal+1 bowl veggies+ 1 bowl curd
Evening Snack: 1 cup green tea+ Biscuits
Dinner:2 Whole Wheat rotis +1 bowl veg.
Saturday
*For first 24-48hrs till diarrhoea persists,drink water or ORS in small sips frequently.
* After 3rd Day take fresh fruit juices i.e. orange, lemon, pineapple, pomegranate; butter-milk; coconut water for effective recovery.
* With full recovery return to your regular diet by 6-7th Day
Breakfast*:Upma/ Dalia1 seasonal fruit
Mid-morning Snack:1 cup milk or fruit shake
Lunch:2 Whole wheat rotis or 1 roti & 1bowl brown rice+ 1 Bowl Bengal gram+1 bowl veggies+ 1 bowl curd
Evening Snack: 1 cup green tea + Fist full Nuts
Dinner:2 Mix whole grains (Wheat & Ragi) rotis +1 bowl veg./ non-veg. curry+ 1 bowl salad
