Diarrhea

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Infections, medicines and emotional stress can all cause diarrhea. It can make you feel weak and become dehydrated. If you have problems with diarrhea, these ideas may help:

Replace fluids lost to your body in the diarrhea. Drink a lot of liquids--8 or more glasses per day. See tips in "All About Fluids" later in this section.

Replace the potassium lost to your body in diarrhea. If you do not have enough potassium you can feel very weak. These foods are high in potassium: bananas, potatoes, fish and meat.

Some foods can actually help stop the diarrhea. It would be good for you to eat plain white rice, cream of wheat or farina cereal, toasted white bread, plain macaroni or noodles, boiled eggs, oatmeal, ice cream, jello, applesauce, bananas, canned fruit, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and plain crackers.

Don't skip meals, even though you don't feel like eating. Eat small amounts of food every couple of hours.

Stay away from fatty, greasy foods and fried foods. Do not eat doughnuts, chips, fried potatoes or french fries, bacon, sausages, gravy, bologna, hot dogs, fried chicken, fried fish, or other fried meats. Use only small amounts of margarine, butter, cream or oil in your food.

Stay away from spicy foods. Do not eat chili, pizza, hot sauce or tacos.

Avoid foods with a lot of crunchy fiber. They can irritate your intestines. Do not eat raw fruits or raw vegetables or the skins or seeds of any fruit or vegetable. Do not eat corn. Do not eat whole wheat breads. Do not eat nuts.

If you have cramps, stay away from foods that can cause gas. Do not eat dried beans, canned beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carbonated drinks, or beer. No chewing gum.

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