The food we eat is probably at the core of the causes of diarrhea. Overeating, indigestion, old food, stale food, and contaminated food can all trigger an upset stomach. During treatment, one has to manage what they eat as much as possible, consuming only light foods. However, during recovery, one has to plan their diet carefully so that they can quickly regain their energy and get back to their routine once again.
The popular BRAT diet comprising bananas, rice, apples, and toast has been the go-to home remedy for patients recovering from an acute attack of diarrhea. Though this helps to stabilize during recovery, it does not have the necessary nutrients like protein, vitamins, and calcium to replace the energy lost. Also, the BRAT diet is not ideal for children. Fiber is generally recommended to induce stools, and hence, it should be avoided right after an acute attack. Moreover, there is some fiber that gets dissolved in water; this soluble fiber serves as a prebiotic to the healthy bacteria in the gut and delays the stools from moving out of the body, thereby slowly reducing diarrhea. A BRAT diet can be ideal for breakfast, but protein and non-dairy probiotics can be added during the day.
The ideal meals one should consume after a diarrheal attack has been explained in brief as follows.
Ideal breakfast: Rice cereal, oatmeal, rice porridge, rice cakes, plain low-fat yogurt, and pancakes or waffles without sugar syrup are some of the food items that can help provide a light start to the day. Sugar has the capacity to trigger infection post recovery. Moreover, dairy products should be avoided for some more time, as they can worsen the latent symptoms of diarrhea. All fruits except apple should also be avoided.
In between meals, one can drink herbal teas that will not only help reduce the constant thirst but also help the stomach to settle down. Teas infused with peppermint, lemon, ginger, chamomile, or green tea can help soothe the discomfort effectively.
Lunch and dinner: Remember that for the first week after recovery it will be a good idea not to eat a hearty meal and allow the gastrointestinal tract to recover. With a light breakfast, lunch can focus on including proteins. White rice is a blessing for recovery from diarrhea and white rice congee is often recommended by doctors and nutritionists for people recovering from an acute attack of diarrhea.
The food consumed has to be bland with less fat and spice. Deep fried items or processed foods should be avoided for at least a week. Some of the recommended foods one can consume for lunch or dinner is a lean portion of chicken, turkey, pork, or tuna. One should use mild vegetable oils to cook. Chicken broth or vegetable soup is ideal for both and lunch or dinner, as it is light and healthy. Plain noodles and pasta can also help satiate hunger pangs. Small portions of vegetables like carrot, beans, mushrooms, mashed potatoes, or sweet potatoes can also be consumed. Non-dairy probiotics like miso or sauerkraut can help improve the presence of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
