How to Eat Potatoes When You Have Diarrhea

November 17, 2025 •

4 min read

According to MedlinePlus, potatoes are a high-potassium food that can help replenish lost electrolytes during a bout of diarrhea. When prepared properly, potatoes can be a soothing and nutritious part of your diet during this time, helping to bind stools and provide energy. Learning how to eat potatoes when you have diarrhea can be a simple and effective strategy for recovery.

Quick Summary

Properly prepared potatoes can be a beneficial and easy-to-digest food to consume during a bout of diarrhea. The best methods include peeling and boiling or baking the potatoes to remove high-fiber skins. This makes the starchy vegetable bland and binding, which helps firm up loose stools. Fatty or seasoned toppings should be avoided to prevent aggravating symptoms.

Key Points

Peel the Potatoes: Always remove the skin to eliminate insoluble fiber, which can worsen diarrhea and irritate the digestive system.
Boil or Mash Them: Cooking potatoes until very soft and serving them plain is the gentlest way to eat them with an upset stomach.
Avoid Fats and Dairy: Do not add butter, sour cream, milk, or cheese, as these can irritate a sensitive stomach.
Replenish Potassium: Plain potatoes are a good source of potassium, an important electrolyte that is lost during diarrhea.
Choose Blandness: Stick to very simple preparations to avoid strong seasonings that can agitate the digestive tract.
Consider Sweet Potatoes: Peeled and cooked sweet potatoes are also a good option, offering soluble fiber that can help firm up stools.

Why Potatoes Are a Good Option for Diarrhea

When dealing with diarrhea, the digestive system is highly sensitive. The focus is on consuming bland, easy-to-digest, and binding foods. Potatoes fit this description well, primarily due to their starchy content and nutritional profile, which can aid in recovery.

Potatoes are known as a binding food, meaning their low-fiber starch (when prepared without the skin) can help absorb excess water in the intestines, contributing to firmer stools. Beyond their binding properties, potatoes offer a crucial mineral: potassium. During a diarrheal episode, the body loses significant amounts of electrolytes, including potassium, which are essential for proper cell and nerve function. Replenishing this mineral is vital for rehydration and overall recovery.

Additionally, potatoes are generally bland, which minimizes the risk of irritating an already upset stomach. Unlike spicy or fatty foods that can worsen digestive distress, plain potatoes provide a gentle source of carbohydrates for energy without overwhelming the system.

Best Preparation Methods for Eating Potatoes with Diarrhea

To maximize the benefits and avoid aggravating symptoms, how you prepare the potato is key. The goal is to remove high-fiber elements like the skin and avoid adding fats or heavy seasonings.

Mashed Potatoes (Plain)

Method: Peel potatoes completely and boil until very tender. Drain the water and mash the potatoes with a fork. Do not add butter, milk, or cream. A small amount of salt can be added to help with electrolyte balance, but keep it minimal.
Benefit: Mashing breaks down the starches, making them even easier for a sensitive digestive system to process. This preparation is a staple in many bland diets.

Boiled Potatoes

Method: Peel the potatoes and cut them into small, uniform pieces. Boil them until completely soft. A pinch of salt is acceptable. Serve them simply, without any additional toppings.
Benefit: This is one of the most straightforward and bland methods, making it highly effective for calming an upset stomach. It also ensures the potato is cooked thoroughly, aiding digestion.

Baked Potatoes (Peeled)

Method: Peel a potato, cube it, and bake it until tender. This can also be done by baking a whole potato and then scooping out the soft, cooked interior, discarding the fiber-rich skin. Do not add butter, sour cream, or cheese.
Benefit: The baking process makes the potato light and fluffy, and discarding the skin significantly lowers the fiber content. This is a great alternative to boiling for flavor variety.

Comparison Table: Preparation Methods for Diarrhea


Preparation Method	Fiber Content	Digestibility	Best For	What to Avoid
Plain Mashed	Very Low	Excellent	Calming severe symptoms, easy swallowing	Butter, milk, cream, heavy seasoning
Plain Boiled	Very Low	Excellent	Steady recovery, gentle energy	Oil, fats, strong seasonings
Plain Baked (Peeled)	Very Low	Good	Adding variety, electrolyte boost	Fatty toppings (sour cream, butter), cheese
Roasted/Fried	High (if skin on)	Poor	Not recommended for diarrhea	Oils, spices, fats
With Skin	High	Poor	Not recommended for diarrhea	-

What to Avoid When Eating Potatoes with Diarrhea

While plain, cooked potatoes are beneficial, improper preparation can worsen symptoms. Avoiding certain additions is crucial for a smooth recovery:

The Skin: The potato skin contains a high concentration of insoluble fiber, which can speed up digestion and exacerbate diarrhea. It should always be peeled off.
Fried Potatoes: Greasy, fried foods like french fries are extremely difficult for a sensitive stomach to digest. The high fat content can irritate the digestive tract and increase the frequency of bowel movements.
High-Fat Toppings: Rich toppings such as butter, cheese, sour cream, and gravy add fat and can trigger further intestinal distress. Stick to simple, plain preparations.
Spices and Seasonings: Hot or strong spices can irritate the stomach and should be avoided. A small amount of salt is fine for electrolytes, but steer clear of pepper, chili powder, and other robust flavorings.
Dairy Products: Many people experience temporary lactose intolerance during a bout of diarrhea, so adding milk or cream can worsen symptoms. Plain yogurt with live cultures might be an exception for some, but caution is advised.

Incorporating Potatoes into a Bland Diet

Potatoes are often recommended as part of the broader BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) diet for managing diarrhea. You can incorporate them with other bland foods for a more complete meal.

Here are some simple ideas:

Potato and Plain Rice Bowl: Serve a side of plain boiled or mashed potatoes alongside plain white rice. Both are binding and easy to digest.
Chicken and Potato Broth Soup: Create a simple, clear broth with lean, boiled chicken and chunks of peeled, boiled potato. This provides fluids, electrolytes, protein, and starch in a very gentle format.
Sweet Potatoes: Peeled and baked or boiled sweet potatoes are another great option. They are rich in vitamins and contain soluble fiber, which can be helpful in slowing digestion.

Conclusion

Eating potatoes when you have diarrhea can be a safe and beneficial practice, provided they are prepared correctly. The key is to consume them boiled, baked, or mashed without the skin and without any high-fat or heavily seasoned toppings. This allows the bland, binding starches to soothe your digestive system while the potato's potassium helps replenish vital electrolytes lost during illness. By following these simple guidelines, you can effectively manage symptoms and aid your body's recovery. If symptoms persist or worsen, always consult a healthcare professional.

Authoritative Outbound Link

For more information on the management and treatment of diarrhea, including dietary recommendations, visit the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) website. Source: NIDDK - Treatment of Diarrhea

Frequently Asked Questions

Potatoes can potentially cause diarrhea if eaten with the skin on, due to the high fiber content. However, when prepared properly (peeled and plain), they are considered a binding food that can help alleviate diarrhea.

No, you should avoid french fries when you have diarrhea. The high fat and oil content from frying can be difficult for your sensitive digestive system to process and can make symptoms worse.

No, it is best to remove the skin from potatoes when you have diarrhea. The skin is high in insoluble fiber, which can speed up digestion and worsen loose stools.

Keep seasonings minimal. A small sprinkle of salt is acceptable, as it can help replenish electrolytes. Avoid heavy spices, pepper, and rich sauces, which can irritate your stomach.

Both boiling and baking (without the skin) are excellent options. The best method depends on your personal preference, as both create a soft, easy-to-digest potato that is gentle on the stomach.

Yes, plain, mashed, or boiled potatoes are often suitable for children with diarrhea, similar to the BRAT diet. However, it's always best to consult a pediatrician for specific dietary advice for children.

The main benefit is that potatoes, when prepared correctly, are a bland, binding food that helps firm up stools. They are also rich in potassium, which helps replenish electrolytes lost during a diarrheal episode.