What Not to Eat With Severe Diarrhea: A Comprehensive Guide

January 8, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, consuming certain foods and drinks can worsen symptoms and prolong recovery during a bout of diarrhea. Knowing what not to eat with severe diarrhea is crucial for soothing your digestive system and helping your body recover faster.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines specific food and drink categories to avoid during severe diarrhea, including high-fat, high-fiber, and sugary items. It details why certain foods aggravate the digestive system and provides dietary recommendations to help alleviate discomfort and promote healing.

Key Points

Avoid High-Fat Foods: Stay away from fried, greasy, and rich foods like bacon and creamy sauces, as they are difficult to digest and can worsen diarrhea.
Limit Dairy Intake: Temporarily stop consuming most dairy products, especially high-lactose items like milk and cheese, as your body may struggle to produce the necessary enzymes to digest them during diarrhea.
Steer Clear of High-Fiber Items: While generally healthy, high-fiber foods such as whole grains, legumes, and most raw fruits and vegetables can stimulate the bowels and should be avoided.
Cut out Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners: High sugar content and artificial sweeteners can draw more water into the gut, leading to looser stools, so avoid sodas, sweets, and diet drinks.
Eliminate Caffeine and Alcohol: Both caffeine and alcohol are irritants to the digestive system and can contribute to dehydration and prolonged symptoms.
Stay Hydrated with Electrolytes: Focus on drinking plenty of clear fluids like water, broth, and electrolyte solutions to prevent dehydration from fluid loss.
Choose Bland, Binding Foods: Opt for gentle foods like bananas, plain white rice, applesauce, and white toast (BRAT diet) to help firm up stool.

Understanding the Impact of Diet on Diarrhea

When experiencing severe diarrhea, the digestive system is highly sensitive and inflamed. The primary goal of dietary management is to reduce irritation, slow down bowel movements, and prevent dehydration. Eating the wrong foods can easily counteract these efforts, leading to prolonged discomfort and a slower recovery. Therefore, selecting foods that are bland, low in fiber, and easy to digest is paramount.

High-Fat and Greasy Foods

High-fat and greasy foods are notoriously difficult for the digestive system to process, especially when it is already compromised. When fat is not properly absorbed, it passes into the colon, where it can trigger fluid secretion and worsen diarrhea. Fried foods, creamy sauces, and fatty cuts of meat are common culprits.

List of high-fat foods to avoid:

Fried Foods: French fries, fried chicken, onion rings.
Processed Meats: Bacon, sausages, hot dogs.
Fatty Cuts of Meat: Marbled steak, pork ribs, and veal.
Creamy Sauces and Gravies: These add unnecessary fat that is hard to digest.
Rich Desserts: Pastries, pies, and ice cream.

Dairy Products (Excluding Some Probiotics)

Many people experience temporary lactose intolerance during and after severe diarrhea, even if they can normally digest dairy. The enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose, lactase, may be temporarily suppressed. Consuming high-lactose dairy products can cause gas, bloating, and further diarrhea.

Note: Plain yogurt and kefir with active cultures can be an exception, as the probiotics they contain may help restore the balance of healthy gut bacteria. However, those with a known dairy sensitivity should opt for non-dairy sources of probiotics.

High-Fiber Foods

While high-fiber foods are beneficial for a healthy digestive system, they should be limited during a severe bout of diarrhea. Insoluble fiber, in particular, adds bulk to stool and can stimulate the bowels, which is the opposite of what is needed for recovery.

List of high-fiber foods to temporarily avoid:

Whole Grains: Brown rice, whole wheat bread, bran cereal.
Legumes: Beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas.
Most Raw Fruits: Especially those with seeds or skins, such as berries, figs, and grapes.
Raw Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and raw leafy greens can cause excess gas.

Sugary Foods and Artificial Sweeteners

Sugars can be problematic because they draw excess water into the intestines, making stools looser. This includes not only obvious sweets but also high-fructose corn syrup found in many processed drinks and foods. Artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol and mannitol, can have a strong laxative effect and should also be avoided.

Caffeine and Alcohol

Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause the bowels to contract, exacerbating diarrhea. It is found in coffee, some teas, and sodas. Alcohol irritates the digestive tract and can contribute to dehydration, which is a major concern with severe diarrhea. Both should be completely avoided during recovery.

Comparison Table: Foods to Avoid vs. Safe Choices


Foods to Avoid with Severe Diarrhea	Safe, Gentle Alternatives
Fried & Greasy Foods: Fried chicken, french fries	Lean Protein: Baked chicken breast, boiled fish, eggs
High-Lactose Dairy: Milk, cheese, ice cream	Low-Lactose or Probiotic Dairy: Plain yogurt (if tolerated), non-dairy milks
High-Fiber Grains: Brown rice, whole wheat bread	Refined Grains: Plain white rice, white toast, saltine crackers
Raw Fruits & Veggies: Broccoli, berries, corn	Cooked Veggies: Boiled carrots, peeled zucchini, baked potatoes
Spicy Foods: Hot sauce, jalapeños, curries	Bland Seasoning: Salt, mild herbs, no spice
Sugary Drinks: Soda, juice, sports drinks with high sugar	Hydrating Fluids: Water, clear broth, electrolyte solutions
Caffeine & Alcohol: Coffee, black tea, beer, wine	Decaffeinated Fluids: Herbal tea, clear liquids

Rehydrating Safely

Maintaining hydration is one of the most critical aspects of recovering from severe diarrhea. The loss of fluids and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, can be significant. While plain water is essential, it's not enough to fully restore electrolytes. Clear broths, weak decaffeinated tea, and oral rehydration solutions are excellent choices.

Conclusion: Prioritize Bland and Gentle Foods

Successfully navigating a bout of severe diarrhea involves a strategic and cautious dietary approach. By actively avoiding high-fat, high-fiber, and sugary foods, as well as irritants like caffeine and alcohol, you can give your digestive system the rest it needs to recover. Instead, focus on a diet of bland, easily digestible foods like the BRAT diet staples (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) and ensure you are replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes. Remember, listening to your body and reintroducing foods slowly is key to a smooth recovery. If symptoms persist or worsen, consulting a healthcare provider is essential.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For severe or persistent diarrhea, consult a qualified healthcare professional.

What to eat with diarrhea: 8 natural remedies. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320124. Accessed October 13, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fatty and greasy foods are hard for the compromised digestive system to break down. This can cause unabsorbed fat to reach the colon, triggering fluid secretion and worsening diarrhea.

It is best to limit or avoid most dairy products during severe diarrhea, as many people become temporarily lactose intolerant. Some probiotic-rich plain yogurts may be tolerated, but it's best to observe your body's reaction carefully.

Not necessarily all, but it is wise to avoid high-fiber, gas-producing raw fruits and vegetables. Instead, opt for cooked, peeled vegetables and specific fruits like bananas and applesauce, which are easier to digest.

Caffeine stimulates intestinal contractions and can worsen diarrhea, while alcohol irritates the gut and increases the risk of dehydration. Both should be avoided entirely during recovery.

The BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) consists of bland, low-fiber foods that are easy to digest and can help firm up stool. It is often recommended for the initial stages of recovery from diarrhea.

Yes, both should be avoided. High sugar levels can draw water into the intestines and worsen symptoms, while certain artificial sweeteners have a known laxative effect.

Prioritize water, clear broths, and oral rehydration solutions. Decaffeinated herbal tea and electrolyte-enhanced water are also good options. Avoid fruit juice high in sugar.