Should I Keep Eating Food If I Have Diarrhea?

January 8, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, dehydration is one of the most significant dangers of diarrhea, and you shouldn't stop eating entirely. The critical question is not whether to eat, but what to eat. So, should I keep eating food if I have diarrhea, and what kind is best to aid recovery?

Quick Summary

It's important to continue eating certain bland foods while staying hydrated to aid recovery during diarrhea. Focus on low-fiber meals and avoid fatty, spicy, and sugary irritants that can worsen symptoms.

Key Points

Don't Fast: Eating bland, simple foods is generally better than fasting, as it helps maintain energy and aids recovery.
Hydration is Key: Replenish fluids and electrolytes constantly with water, broth, or low-sugar sports drinks to prevent dehydration.
Embrace the BRAT Diet: Start with bananas, white rice, applesauce, and toast to help bind your stool and provide gentle nutrition.
Avoid Irritants: Steer clear of fatty, spicy, and sugary foods, as well as alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen symptoms.
Eat Small, Frequent Meals: This puts less stress on your digestive system than consuming large meals all at once.
Reintroduce Foods Slowly: After a few days of bland foods, gradually add more complex items back into your diet.
Consider Probiotics: Plain, low-sugar yogurt with live cultures may help restore a healthy gut balance, but avoid most other dairy.

A common bout of diarrhea, often caused by an infection or food poisoning, typically lasts a few days. During this time, your body loses significant fluids and electrolytes, making proper nutrition and hydration vital for a speedy recovery. While your appetite may decrease, eating the right foods can provide energy and help firm up stools, while avoiding the wrong ones prevents further irritation.

The Importance of Hydration

Staying hydrated is the top priority when you have diarrhea. Frequent loose bowel movements cause your body to lose more water and electrolytes (like sodium and potassium) than normal. Dehydration can lead to complications, so replenishing fluids is crucial.

Water: Plain water is essential for rehydration.
Broth: Clear, low-sodium broths (vegetable, chicken, or beef) replace lost fluids and provide nutrients.
Electrolyte Drinks: Commercial sports drinks or electrolyte-enhanced water can replenish lost minerals. Choose lower-sugar versions, as excessive sugar can worsen diarrhea. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are another option.
Diluted Juices: Apple juice (pulp-free) or weak, decaffeinated tea can help provide fluids and a small amount of sugar for energy.

The BRAT Diet and Other Binding Foods

When your appetite returns, doctors often recommend starting with bland, easy-to-digest foods that are low in fiber. The BRAT diet is a classic example, helping to absorb water from the stool and firm it up.

Bananas: Rich in potassium to replace lost electrolytes and contain pectin, a soluble fiber that helps bind stools.
White Rice: Easy to digest and a binding starch.
Applesauce: A cooked fruit product that provides pectin but is easier to digest than raw fruit.
Toast: White toast is gentle on the digestive system, unlike higher-fiber whole-grain bread.

Other suitable bland foods include:

Boiled or baked potatoes (peeled)
Unseasoned crackers (like saltines)
Oatmeal or cream of wheat
Lean, plain chicken or turkey (baked or boiled)
Scrambled or boiled eggs

The Role of Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can help restore a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which can be disrupted by diarrhea. Some research suggests they may shorten the duration or severity of diarrhea. While most dairy should be avoided, plain, low-sugar yogurt or kefir that contains live cultures can be a good source of probiotics. However, if you suspect temporary lactose intolerance, non-dairy alternatives are available.

Foods to Avoid During a Bout of Diarrhea

Some foods can worsen diarrhea symptoms by irritating your sensitive digestive system or drawing more water into the bowel. Avoiding these for a short period is key to recovery.

Fatty, Greasy, and Fried Foods: These can be hard to digest and exacerbate symptoms.
Most Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, and butter contain lactose, which can be difficult to digest during diarrhea.
Spicy Foods: Can irritate the stomach and intestinal lining.
Sugary Foods and Artificial Sweeteners: Excess sugar can pull water into the intestines, and artificial sweeteners often have a laxative effect.
High-Fiber Foods: While generally healthy, too much insoluble fiber (found in whole grains, legumes, raw vegetables, and nuts) can stimulate bowel movements.
Caffeine and Alcohol: Both can act as gut stimulants and contribute to dehydration.
Gas-Producing Foods: Beans, broccoli, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables can cause additional discomfort like bloating and gas.

What to Eat vs. What to Avoid: A Quick Comparison


	Good Choices	Bad Choices
Foods	Bananas, white rice, applesauce, white toast, boiled potatoes, plain chicken/turkey, eggs, oatmeal, saltine crackers	Fatty/fried foods, spicy foods, most dairy, sugary snacks, high-fiber cereals, legumes, raw vegetables, whole grains
Beverages	Water, clear broth, electrolyte drinks, diluted apple juice, caffeine-free tea	Alcohol, caffeine (coffee, soda), high-sugar drinks, carbonated beverages, prune juice

The Gradual Reintroduction of a Normal Diet

Once your symptoms start to improve, you can slowly begin adding back a wider variety of foods. Start with soft-cooked vegetables and lean protein, then gradually move back to your regular, balanced diet. Monitoring your body's response is important. If a food triggers a return of symptoms, back off for a day or two before trying again.

Conclusion: The Right Fuel for Recovery

In summary, the answer to "should I keep eating food if I have diarrhea?" is yes, but with a cautious approach. The right dietary choices can support your body's healing process and help you recover faster. Prioritizing hydration and sticking to bland, binding foods initially is the most effective strategy. By avoiding foods that irritate the digestive system, you give your body the best chance to rest and restore normal function. For more detailed nutritional strategies, you can explore the resources offered by organizations like the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD).

Frequently Asked Questions

No, regular meals are often too rich or fibrous for an irritated digestive system. It's best to stick to bland, easily digestible foods initially and eat smaller, more frequent portions.

Probiotics, which are beneficial microorganisms found in foods like plain yogurt, can help restore a healthy balance of gut bacteria that can be disrupted by diarrhea.

It is best to avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages. Caffeine can stimulate intestinal contractions and act as a laxative, which may worsen your symptoms.

Drinks like Gatorade can be helpful for replacing lost electrolytes. However, it's wise to choose a low-sugar version or dilute it with water, as too much sugar can sometimes worsen diarrhea.

Diarrhea can temporarily cause lactose intolerance by affecting the enzymes needed for digestion. This can make dairy products hard to process and may aggravate your symptoms. Plain yogurt with live cultures is an exception.

You should consult a doctor if diarrhea persists for more than a few days, or if you experience severe abdominal pain, high fever, or notice blood or mucus in your stool.

Raw vegetables are often high in insoluble fiber and can be difficult for a sensitive gut to digest. It is better to opt for cooked and peeled vegetables, which are easier on the digestive system.