While it’s a seemingly benign symptom associated with a number of conditions, acute diarrhea can be dangerous. As the body loses fluids and nutrients through watery, frequent stools, energy and ability to fight illness can be lost. Replacing lost minerals and fluids is essential for recovery.
It used to be thought that clear liquids were the best option for treating the dehydration that often accompanies diarrhea. Water, broth, tea and some fruit drinks were typically suggested to rehydrate the body and add some fuel to the system. The times have changed and so has the school of thought surrounding diarrhea treatment.
What’s Wrong With Clear Liquids?
Although clear liquids can be beneficial for rehydrating the body, they do not typically replenish lost electrolytes and other minerals zapped during a run-in with diarrhea. This leaves the body weak and vulnerable.
There are other potential problems associated with the old fashion broth-and-water diet suggested for people with diarrhea. They include:
- Salt content – Broth tends to have too much salt, which can add to dehydration concerns. Tea and water on the other hand might not have enough. Iodized salt in moderation is required by the body for proper functioning.
- Sugar content – Many of the drinks given to people with diarrhea contain a large amount of sugar. Fruit juices, for example, can promote vomiting and exacerbate dehydration.
The Better Choices
When diarrhea is a problem, replacing lost fluids and minerals is a must. Since diarrhea is often caused by infection, these things are simply required to keep the body strong enough to fight off the underlying concern. There are certain foods and liquids that can assist with replenishing fluids and minerals without necessarily increasing the frequency of diarrhea. They include:
- Low sugar electrolyte drinks – There are special drinks for infants, for example, that are meant to add fluids and electrolytes to the system. These can be essential for putting the body back into the right balance. When electrolytes – potassium and sodium – are low, the heart doesn’t function as it should. Electrolytes are used to create the electrical currents that make the heart pump properly.
- Starchy fluids – Rather than reach for clear broths, it’s often suggested that starchy fluids that offer more nutrients are better. The options here include thick soups that contain potatoes, corn, wheat or rice. Coconut juice and chicken noodle soup – not broth – can also be useful.
- Soft foods – Tapioca, plain rice, soft carrots, cereal and other starchy foods can also prove very useful for treating diarrhea.
Foods To Avoid
When abdominal pain and diarrhea are a problem, there are a variety of foods that should be avoided at all costs. They can increase problems with diarrhea and serve to further strip the body of needed nutrients. They include:
- Foods known to cause gas – Things like onions, broccoli, beans and cabbage can increase intestinal discomfort and promote further problems with elimination.
- Dairy products – These, too, can add to concerns with diarrhea and promote further intestinal problems.
- High-fiber foods – Any type of food that is known for being difficult to digest can add to discomfort when diarrhea is present.
- Sugary foods – Foods that contain a high sugar content should also be avoided as they can promote nausea and vomiting, which can increase dehydration concerns.
While clear liquids were once consider the best for people with diarrhea, this school of thought no longer holds true. Replacing lost electrolytes and other nutrients is better achieved through special drinks and “cloudy,” starchy liquids that provide more substance.
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- Diarrhea and Its Causes – An Overview
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- The Link Between Hot Peppers and Diarrhea
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