What fruit to avoid diarrhea? The essential dietary guide

October 13, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, most cases of acute diarrhea last for a few days and resolve on their own. Understanding what fruit to avoid diarrhea can be crucial for managing symptoms and promoting a quicker recovery.

Quick Summary

Some fruits and fruit preparations, particularly those high in fiber, fructose, or acidity, can worsen diarrhea symptoms. Learn which fruits to temporarily remove from your diet and which binding alternatives are safe to consume for digestive relief.

Key Points

Avoid High-Fructose Fruits: Limit fruits like grapes, mangoes, and cherries, as their high fructose content can worsen diarrhea for some individuals.
Steer Clear of Acidic Fruits: Citrus fruits, including oranges and grapefruits, can irritate the stomach lining and exacerbate digestive discomfort.
Choose Low-Fiber Options: Raw fruits with skins, like pears and plums, are high in insoluble fiber, which can speed up bowel movements. Opt for cooked or peeled alternatives.
Stick to the BRAT Diet: Bananas, applesauce, and toast are staples of the BRAT diet, known for being gentle on the stomach and helping to firm up stools due to their pectin and low fiber content.
Stay Hydrated with Electrolytes: Bananas are excellent for replenishing lost potassium, a vital electrolyte, during episodes of diarrhea.
Cooked is Better than Raw: For fruits like apples, cooking and peeling them breaks down the fiber, making them much easier to digest.

The Relationship Between Fruit, Fiber, and Diarrhea

When experiencing diarrhea, the goal is to calm the digestive tract and add bulk to loose stools. Certain fruits can interfere with this process, while others aid it. The primary culprits are insoluble fiber, high acidity, and excessive fructose, all of which can irritate an already sensitive bowel and lead to increased water retention in the intestines.

Insoluble Fiber

Many raw fruits, especially those with skins and seeds, are rich in insoluble fiber. This type of fiber adds bulk to stool and speeds up transit time through the gut, which is the opposite of what is needed during a bout of diarrhea. Foods high in insoluble fiber can exacerbate loose stools and discomfort.

Fructose

Fructose is a natural sugar found in many fruits. For some individuals, particularly those with fructose malabsorption, consuming large amounts can pull extra water into the intestines, triggering diarrhea. Many fruits, such as apples and grapes, are high in fructose and are therefore often best to avoid during an episode of digestive upset.

Acidity

Highly acidic fruits can irritate the stomach lining and digestive tract, worsening symptoms like abdominal cramping and loose stools. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit, are a common example.

Fruits to Temporarily Avoid When You Have Diarrhea

To give your digestive system a chance to rest and recover, it's wise to temporarily cut out certain fruits from your diet. Here is a list of common fruits to avoid:

High-Fiber Fruits: Raw apples (with skin), pears, plums, prunes, and figs contain high levels of fiber that can act as a natural laxative.
High-Fructose Fruits: Grapes, cherries, and mangoes are known for their high fructose content, which can worsen symptoms in some individuals.
Citrus Fruits: Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are acidic and can irritate a sensitive stomach.
Dried Fruits: Dried fruits like raisins and apricots are concentrated sources of sugar and fiber, which can cause significant digestive distress.
Certain Berries: While some berries like blueberries might be tolerated in moderation, others like seeded berries (e.g., raspberries) can be problematic due to their fiber content.

Fruits That Can Help with Diarrhea

On the other hand, certain fruits are not only safe but also beneficial for managing diarrhea due to their low fiber content and high levels of pectin and potassium. Pectin is a soluble fiber that absorbs water and helps bind stools, while potassium is an electrolyte lost during diarrhea that needs to be replenished.

Beneficial Fruit Choices:

Bananas: The cornerstone of the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast), bananas are high in pectin and potassium, making them excellent for firming up stools and restoring electrolytes.
Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce is a great source of pectin and is easy on the stomach. Cooking the apples breaks down their fiber, making them more gentle on the digestive system.
Cooked Pears: Similar to applesauce, cooked, peeled pears are a good source of soluble fiber and can be easily digested.
Canned Fruits (in water): Plain canned peaches and pears are low in fiber and easily digestible.

Comparison Table: Good vs. Bad Fruits for Diarrhea


Feature	Fruits to AVOID	Fruits to EAT (in moderation)
Fiber Type	High in insoluble fiber (e.g., raw apples with skin)	High in soluble fiber (e.g., bananas, applesauce)
Fructose Level	High (e.g., grapes, mangoes)	Low to Moderate (e.g., bananas, cantaloupe)
Acidity Level	High (e.g., citrus fruits)	Low (e.g., bananas, cooked apples)
Electrolytes	-	High in Potassium (e.g., bananas, avocados)
Digestibility	Harder to digest, can speed transit	Gentle on the stomach, soothing

When to Reintroduce Other Fruits

Once your symptoms subside, you can gradually reintroduce other fruits. Start with well-cooked, peeled fruits before moving on to raw ones. Pay attention to how your body reacts to each fruit to identify any specific triggers. It is always recommended to prioritize hydration by sipping on water or clear broths throughout the day, especially after each bowel movement.

For more detailed information on managing digestive issues, the National Institute of Health (NIDDK) offers extensive resources on the topic.

Conclusion

Navigating dietary choices during a bout of diarrhea is key to a faster recovery. By understanding what fruit to avoid diarrhea, particularly those high in insoluble fiber, fructose, and acid, you can significantly reduce digestive irritation. Focus instead on bland, binding options like bananas and applesauce, which are gentle on the stomach and help restore lost electrolytes. As your symptoms improve, reintroduce other fruits slowly and always stay well-hydrated to support your body's healing process. If diarrhea persists for more than a couple of days, it is important to consult a healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fruits that are generally the worst for diarrhea include those high in insoluble fiber (raw apples with skin, prunes), high in fructose (grapes, mangoes), and highly acidic (oranges, lemons).

Yes, bananas are highly recommended for diarrhea. They are part of the BRAT diet and are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that helps absorb water and firm up stools. They also provide potassium to replace lost electrolytes.

Unsweetened applesauce is beneficial for diarrhea. The process of cooking apples breaks down the fiber, and the high pectin content helps to bind stools.

Raw fruits with skin and seeds contain a high amount of insoluble fiber, which can accelerate the digestive process and exacerbate loose, watery stools when the digestive system is already upset.

No, you don't need to avoid all fruit. While some should be avoided, others like bananas and unsweetened applesauce are very helpful. The key is choosing bland, binding, and easily digestible fruits.

Yes, dried fruits like raisins and prunes are generally not recommended during diarrhea. Their high concentration of fiber and sugar can worsen symptoms and act as a laxative.

Low-sugar, pulp-free fruit juices like apple or grape juice can help with hydration and replenish some electrolytes. However, it is important to avoid highly acidic juices (like orange juice) or those high in fructose, as they can irritate the gut.

While green bananas have more resistant starch, ripe bananas are still an excellent choice for diarrhea. They are easily digestible, provide pectin, and replenish potassium without causing issues for most people.