Can I Eat Oil During Diarrhea? What You Need to Know

January 9, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), temporary diarrhea is a common problem, often caused by a viral infection or food poisoning, and can be influenced by diet. While many people focus on what to eat, understanding what to avoid is just as crucial for a swift recovery, especially regarding fats and oils.

Quick Summary

It is generally not advisable to eat oil or fatty, greasy foods during an episode of diarrhea. High-fat items can be difficult to digest and may trigger intestinal contractions, increasing fluid secretion into the colon and worsening symptoms. Sticking to a bland, low-fat diet with plenty of fluids is key for recovery.

Key Points

Avoid Fats and Oils: It is generally not recommended to consume oil or greasy foods during diarrhea, as they are difficult to digest and can worsen symptoms.
Exacerbated Symptoms: When unabsorbed fats reach the colon, they trigger increased fluid secretion, which can intensify and prolong episodes of diarrhea.
Prioritize Bland Foods: For a faster recovery, stick to a bland, low-fiber diet, often referred to as the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast).
Focus on Hydration: Drink plenty of water, clear broths, and electrolyte solutions to prevent dehydration, a common complication of diarrhea.
Reintroduce Foods Gradually: As symptoms improve, slowly add other easy-to-digest foods back into your diet, monitoring your body's reaction.
Listen to Your Body: If a food causes discomfort, stop eating it. The goal is to reduce the workload on your digestive system to allow it to heal.

Understanding the Impact of Fats and Oils on Digestion

When your digestive system is already compromised by diarrhea, its ability to process complex nutrients is significantly reduced. This is particularly true for fats and oils. Normally, your body uses bile and pancreatic enzymes to break down fats in the small intestine for absorption. However, during an episode of diarrhea, this process is less efficient.

Fats, especially saturated and trans fats found in fried and greasy foods, are more challenging for your body to digest compared to carbohydrates and proteins. When these unabsorbed fats reach the colon, they are broken down into fatty acids. This can have a powerful laxative effect, causing the colon to produce and secrete more fluid, which only serves to prolong and intensify diarrheal symptoms. Some studies suggest that high-fat diets can also alter the balance of your gut microbiome, promoting the growth of pro-inflammatory bacteria over beneficial ones, which further compromises gut health.

Why Your Digestive System Needs a Break

Diarrhea is your body's way of expelling an irritant, infection, or toxin. The intestinal lining becomes irritated and inflamed, making it hypersensitive. Introducing fatty and oily foods at this time is like throwing fuel on a fire. Instead of being absorbed, the fats can exacerbate the inflammation and increase the motility (movement) of your intestines. This speeds up the digestive process, prevents proper fluid reabsorption, and can lead to more frequent, watery stools.

For a swift recovery, it's essential to consume foods that are gentle on the digestive tract. Doctors and nutritionists often recommend a bland, low-fiber diet, which is easier for the weakened system to handle.

Recommended Foods vs. Foods to Avoid

When you are recovering from diarrhea, focusing on a simple and bland diet is the best approach. Here is a list of foods to guide your choices.

Foods to Eat (Focus on Bland and Binding Options):

BRAT Diet Staples: Bananas, plain white rice, unsweetened applesauce, and white toast are low in fiber and can help firm up stool.
Lean Proteins: Baked or boiled skinless chicken, fish, or turkey. These provide necessary protein without the excess fat.
Starchy Vegetables: Plain boiled or baked potatoes (without the skin), peeled and cooked zucchini, and cooked carrots are gentle on the stomach.
Hydrating Fluids: Water, clear broths, and electrolyte-enhanced drinks help replace lost fluids and minerals. Avoid sugary and caffeinated options.
Low-Fiber Cereals: Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat are good choices for getting some calories and are soothing to the digestive tract.

Foods to Avoid (High-Fat, Irritants, and Gas-Producers):

Oils and Fried Foods: Any food prepared with a lot of oil or that is fried should be avoided completely. This includes chips, fries, and greasy fast food.
Fatty Meats and Processed Foods: Bacon, sausages, marbled steaks, and highly processed snack foods are difficult to digest and can worsen diarrhea.
Spicy Foods: Capsaicin, the compound in spicy peppers, can irritate the stomach and intestines, accelerating gut motility.
Dairy Products (in excess): Some people may become temporarily lactose intolerant during diarrhea, so it's best to limit most dairy products like milk, cheese, and ice cream.
High-Fiber Foods: While generally healthy, high amounts of insoluble fiber from nuts, seeds, and raw vegetables can exacerbate symptoms.
Sugary and Artificial Sweeteners: Excess sugar and certain artificial sweeteners can pull water into the intestines, worsening the problem.

Comparison Table: Good Fats vs. Bad Fats During Diarrhea

It's important to distinguish between the types of fats. While all dietary fat should be limited during a diarrheal episode, some are worse than others. This table offers a simplified view.


Feature	Cooking Oils (e.g., canola, vegetable)	Fatty/Greasy Foods (e.g., deep-fried)
Effect on Gut	Moderate to severe irritation; can exacerbate symptoms	Severe irritation; can have a strong laxative effect
Digestibility	Challenging for a sensitive gut	Very difficult to break down properly
Associated Symptoms	Increased motility, bloating, abdominal discomfort	Bloating, severe cramps, increased fluid secretion
Benefit during Diarrhea?	No benefit; should be avoided	No benefit; should be avoided entirely
Overall Recommendation	Avoid until digestive system is fully recovered	A definite no during all stages of recovery

Practical Tips for Managing Your Diet

Start with the BRAT Diet: In the first 24 hours, stick to the basics: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These are easy on your stomach and help bind stool.
Stay Hydrated: Drink small, frequent sips of water, broths, or electrolyte solutions. Dehydration is a significant risk with diarrhea.
Eat Small Meals: Instead of three large meals, have smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This reduces the burden on your digestive system.
Gradual Reintroduction: As your symptoms improve, slowly reintroduce other bland, low-fiber foods. Start with lean meats and cooked vegetables before moving on to healthier fats and more complex foods.
Listen to Your Body: Pay close attention to how your body reacts to different foods. If a food seems to worsen symptoms, stop eating it immediately.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Oil and Diarrhea

In summary, the answer to the question, "Can I eat oil during diarrhea?" is a resounding no. Consuming oils, along with any other fatty or greasy foods, is highly inadvisable when you are experiencing diarrhea. These fats are difficult for an already compromised digestive system to process, and their poor absorption can worsen symptoms like cramping, bloating, and watery stool. For a faster and more comfortable recovery, prioritize bland, low-fat, easy-to-digest foods and focus on staying well-hydrated. Your gut needs a period of rest to heal properly before it can handle the workload of digesting fats and oils again. Consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or are severe.

Mayo Clinic offers additional dietary guidance for managing diarrhea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oil and other fatty foods are difficult for a weakened digestive system to process. The unabsorbed fat can irritate the intestines and cause them to secrete more fluid, leading to increased bowel movements and more severe watery stools.

You should avoid all types of oil during an active diarrheal episode. This includes cooking oils used in frying, saturated fats in greasy foods, and even healthy fats like olive oil and coconut oil, as they can all be hard on a sensitive gut.

The BRAT diet is often recommended, which includes bananas, white rice, applesauce, and white toast. Other bland, easy-to-digest foods like plain boiled potatoes, baked skinless chicken, and oatmeal can also help.

For someone with a healthy digestive system, moderate olive oil consumption is usually fine. However, during diarrhea, the high-fat content can act as a gut irritant and worsen symptoms, so it should be avoided until recovery.

It's best to avoid fatty and oily foods for at least a few days after your last bout of diarrhea. As you begin to feel better, slowly reintroduce them in small amounts while paying attention to your body's reaction.

Prioritize hydration with water, clear broths (with any grease removed), and electrolyte-enhanced drinks. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks, as these can exacerbate dehydration and irritate the gut.

No, it does not always cause diarrhea, but consuming large amounts of fatty foods can contribute to digestive issues. In people with a sensitive digestive system or underlying conditions like IBS, or during an illness, high-fat foods are more likely to trigger diarrhea.