Can I eat cheese during diarrhea? Navigating dairy on a sensitive stomach

October 20, 2025 •

2 min read

During a bout of diarrhea, it is generally recommended to avoid most dairy products, including cheese, as they can often worsen symptoms. Understanding why your digestive system temporarily struggles with dairy can help answer the question, 'Can I eat cheese during diarrhea?' and inform your dietary choices during recovery.

Quick Summary

When recovering from diarrhea, most dairy, including cheese, should be avoided due to potential lactose and high-fat content aggravating symptoms. This guide explains why, details which specific cheeses or low-lactose alternatives might be safer, and lists foods to eat or avoid for a smoother recovery.

Key Points

Avoid most cheeses: Due to high fat and lactose, most cheeses can worsen diarrhea symptoms like gas, bloating, and cramps.
Choose low-lactose alternatives: Hard, aged cheeses like Swiss or cheddar have less lactose and may be tolerated in small quantities as you recover.
Opt for plain yogurt: Plain, non-fat yogurt with live probiotics can help restore healthy gut bacteria and may shorten the duration of diarrhea.
Follow a bland diet: Focus on easy-to-digest foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast to help bind stools and ease your digestive system.
Steer clear of other triggers: Avoid fatty, fried, spicy, and sugary foods, as well as alcohol and caffeine, which can all aggravate diarrhea.
Stay hydrated: Replenish lost fluids and electrolytes by drinking plenty of water, broths, and oral rehydration solutions.

Why Most Cheese Is Not Recommended During Diarrhea

When your digestive system is compromised by diarrhea, it becomes more sensitive and less efficient at processing certain foods. Cheese is often problematic due to its lactose content and high fat.

Temporary Lactose Intolerance

Diarrhea can reduce the amount of lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose in dairy. This can lead to temporary lactose intolerance, causing gas, bloating, and increased diarrhea even if you normally tolerate dairy.

High Fat Content

Fatty foods, including many cheeses, can be difficult to digest and can speed up intestinal contractions, worsening diarrhea. Avoiding high-fat foods helps slow digestion for better fluid absorption.

Exceptions: Low-Lactose and Probiotic Dairy Options

Some dairy might be tolerated in small amounts, focusing on lower lactose or probiotic options.

Low-Lactose Cheeses

Aged, hard cheeses contain less lactose as it is removed during aging. Options like cheddar, Swiss, parmesan, and brie may be tolerated cautiously in small amounts.

Probiotic-Rich Yogurt

Plain, non-fat yogurt with live cultures is often recommended as probiotics can help restore healthy gut bacteria and may shorten diarrhea duration. Avoid sugary flavored yogurts.

A Comparison of Cheese Types During Diarrhea


Cheese Type	Lactose Level	Fat Content	Digestion Difficulty	Recommendation for Diarrhea
Hard & Aged (Cheddar, Swiss)	Low	Varies	Low	Introduce small amounts cautiously
Soft (Cottage, Ricotta, Feta)	High	Varies	High	Avoid, contains more lactose
Processed (American Slices)	High	High	Very High	Avoid, high in fat and lactose
Creamy (Cream Cheese, Brie)	Low-High	High	High	Avoid, high in fat and sometimes lactose

Diet for Diarrhea: What to Eat Instead of Cheese

Focus on a bland diet gentle on your stomach, like the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast).

Foods to Include:

BRAT foods.
Bland starches like oatmeal and boiled potatoes.
Lean protein such as plain chicken or fish.
Clear broths.
Fluids like water and electrolyte drinks to prevent dehydration.

Foods to Avoid During Diarrhea

Avoid foods that can irritate the digestive tract or dehydrate you.

Foods to Exclude:

Fatty, fried, and spicy foods.
Sugary foods and high-fructose drinks.
Certain gassy, high-fiber vegetables.
Alcohol and caffeine.

The Path to Recovery

Initially, focus on hydration and bland foods. Gradually reintroduce low-fat, low-lactose items. While most cheese is not recommended, small amounts of hard, aged varieties may be tolerated later. Consult a healthcare professional if symptoms are severe or persist.

Learn more about managing diarrhea and safe foods from Healthline.com: https://www.healthline.com/health/what-to-eat-when-you-have-diarrhea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Even without a chronic condition, diarrhea can cause a temporary lactase deficiency, making it difficult for your body to digest the lactose in dairy products. Furthermore, the high fat content in many cheeses can also irritate a sensitive digestive system.

No, cottage cheese should be avoided. It contains a higher amount of lactose compared to hard cheeses, and its high-fat content can aggravate a sensitive digestive system.

Yes, some hard, aged cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, and parmesan contain very little lactose because it is largely removed during the aging process. However, they should still be reintroduced cautiously and in small quantities.

Yes, plain, non-fat yogurt with live and active cultures is often the exception to the dairy rule. Its probiotics can help restore a healthy balance of gut bacteria and may help with recovery.

Focus on bland, low-fiber foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Other good options include boiled potatoes, crackers, and plain, lean chicken.

It is best to avoid cheese and other high-lactose dairy products for a few days to give your digestive system a chance to recover. You can then cautiously reintroduce low-lactose options in small amounts to test your tolerance.

No, processed cheese and fast foods with cheese should be avoided. These are often high in both fat and lactose, which are major triggers for worsening diarrhea symptoms.