Are Bagels Good for Diarrhea? What to Eat for Digestive Relief

October 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to health experts, eating bland, low-fiber foods is often recommended to help manage symptoms during a bout of diarrhea. The crucial question is, are bagels good for diarrhea and how should they be prepared for a sensitive digestive system?

Quick Summary

Plain, white bagels can be a suitable food choice during diarrhea because their low-fiber content is easy to digest and helps firm up stool. It is important to avoid high-fiber, whole-grain, seeded bagels, and fatty toppings.

Key Points

Plain White Bagels: These are recommended for diarrhea because they are low in fiber and easy to digest.
Avoid High-Fiber Options: Steer clear of whole wheat, seeded, or multigrain bagels, as their high fiber content can worsen diarrhea.
Keep Toppings Simple: Eat your bagel plain or with minimal, low-fat additions. Avoid dairy like cream cheese, butter, and sugary jams.
Hydrate Thoroughly: Pair your bagel with plenty of clear fluids, like water and broth, to prevent dehydration.
Follow a Bland Diet: Bagels fit into a bland diet, similar to the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast), which is gentle on the stomach.
Listen to Your Body: Start with a small amount and monitor your symptoms. If they worsen, stop eating and consider other options.

Why Plain Bagels Can Be Beneficial for Diarrhea

When experiencing diarrhea, the goal is to eat foods that are gentle on the digestive system and help firm up stool. For this purpose, a plain, white bagel can be a surprisingly good option. Here’s why:

Low in Fiber: Plain, white bagels are made from refined white flour, which is low in fiber. While a high-fiber diet is generally healthy, too much fiber can exacerbate diarrhea by speeding up bowel movements. A low-fiber option allows your gut to rest and recover.
Simple Carbohydrates: Plain bagels are primarily a source of simple carbohydrates. These carbs are easy for the body to break down and absorb, providing a quick source of energy without stressing the digestive tract.
Easy to Digest: As part of a bland diet, plain bagels are non-irritating to a sensitive stomach. They are often included in low-fiber diet recommendations from health institutions like the Mayo Clinic.
Versatile and Filling: A plain bagel can be a comforting and satiating food that provides some calories, helping to maintain energy levels when a full meal is too much to handle.

The Crucial Difference: Plain White vs. Whole Wheat

The type of bagel you choose is critical when you have an upset stomach. The difference between a plain white bagel and a whole wheat or seeded one is significant for digestive comfort.

Plain White Bagels

These are the recommended choice. They are made from refined white flour, which is stripped of most of its fiber, making it easier to digest. They are gentle on the stomach and are often grouped with other foods like white rice and toast in bland diet plans.

Whole Wheat and Seeded Bagels

These should be strictly avoided. Whole wheat bagels are high in insoluble fiber, which promotes more active digestion and can worsen diarrhea symptoms. Seeded bagels, such as poppy or sesame, also contain high-fiber seeds that can be hard to digest and irritate the intestinal lining further.

The Importance of Toppings: Less is More

While the bagel itself is important, what you put on it can make or break your digestive experience. Many standard bagel toppings should be avoided during a bout of diarrhea.

What to Avoid: Dairy products like cream cheese can be problematic for many people with diarrhea, as lactose can be difficult to digest. Fatty spreads like butter or high-fat peanut butter can also worsen symptoms. High-sugar jams or spreads should be avoided, as excessive sugar can aggravate diarrhea.
Safe Options: The best approach is to eat the bagel plain and dry, or lightly toasted. If you need a little moisture, a very thin scrape of low-fat, creamy nut butter may be tolerated by some, but it’s best to proceed with caution. The safest route is no topping at all.

Bagel Comparison for Diarrhea


Feature	Plain White Bagel	Whole Wheat/Seeded Bagel
Fiber Content	Low	High (Insoluble)
Digestibility	High (Easy to Digest)	Low (Harder to Digest)
Impact on Diarrhea	Can help firm up stool	Can worsen symptoms
Recommended Toppings	Plain, dry, or minimal	Avoid all toppings
Suitability for BRAT Diet	Recommended	Not Recommended

Hydration is Key

Along with dietary changes, staying hydrated is one of the most critical aspects of managing diarrhea. Dehydration is a serious risk, especially if symptoms are persistent. You should be drinking plenty of clear fluids throughout the day. Sports drinks or electrolyte solutions can help replenish lost minerals. Pair your plain bagel with water, clear broth, or decaffeinated tea.

When to Seek Medical Advice

While dietary adjustments can help, it is important to know when to see a doctor. If your diarrhea persists for more than a couple of days, or if you experience severe symptoms like a high fever, signs of dehydration (reduced urination, dark urine), or blood in your stool, you should consult a healthcare professional. For general dietary guidance, reputable sources like the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia are often helpful when researching bland foods for an upset stomach.

Conclusion

In summary, whether bagels are good for diarrhea depends entirely on the type. A plain, white bagel can be a safe and soothing option for an upset stomach due to its low fiber and simple carbohydrate content. However, whole wheat or seeded bagels, which are high in fiber, should be avoided. The key is to keep it simple—stick to a plain bagel without high-fat, high-sugar, or dairy toppings. By making careful choices, a bagel can be a comforting part of a bland diet during a temporary digestive issue, helping you on the path to recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

While bagels are not explicitly in the classic BRAT acronym, plain bagels made with refined white flour are often recommended as an extension of the diet because they are a low-fiber, easy-to-digest food, much like plain toast.

No, it is not recommended to eat a whole wheat bagel when you have diarrhea. Whole wheat bagels are high in insoluble fiber, which can irritate the digestive system and worsen your symptoms.

The best approach is to eat the bagel plain or lightly toasted with no toppings at all. Avoid high-fat spreads, dairy products like cream cheese, and sugary additions like jam, as these can aggravate diarrhea.

If you have Celiac disease and are experiencing diarrhea, you must avoid traditional bagels made from wheat flour completely. You can, however, opt for gluten-free bagels made with alternative grains, but still focus on plain, low-fiber options.

A plain bagel is easier on the stomach because it is made with refined white flour, which contains very little fiber. This allows your digestive system to process it with less effort compared to high-fiber breads.

Yes, once you can hold down fluids, you can begin to introduce bland, easy-to-digest foods like a plain bagel. It's best to start with a small amount and eat slowly.

Toasting a plain bagel can make it a little drier and potentially easier to digest for some people. The most important factor, however, is that it is a plain, low-fiber white bagel.