{"id":4327,"date":"2025-09-29T19:29:47","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T19:29:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/aging\/health\/have-the-runs-these-are-the-9-best-foods-to-eat-for-quick-diarrhea-relief\/"},"modified":"2025-09-29T19:29:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T19:29:48","slug":"have-the-runs-these-are-the-9-best-foods-to-eat-for-quick-diarrhea-relief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/aging\/health\/have-the-runs-these-are-the-9-best-foods-to-eat-for-quick-diarrhea-relief\/","title":{"rendered":"Have the Runs? These Are the 9 Best Foods to Eat for Quick Diarrhea Relief"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

When it comes to things we\u2019ve all experienced at some point\u2014but don\u2019t casually bring up during a night out\u2014diarrhea tops the list. Data show that diarrhea is the second most frequently experienced health condition worldwide.1<\/sup> And while symptoms usually go away on their own within a few days, you’re likely looking for some fast diarrhea relief, regardless of whether your symptoms are due to a virus, food poisoning, or side effects of a medication.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
James Cox<\/p>\n

board-certified gastroenterologist and assistant professor at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
Sandhya Shukla<\/p>\n

board-certified gastroenterologist with Atlantic Coast Gastroenterology Associates<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

But let’s be real: There may be very few things you feel like eating when you have diarrhea, especially if your watery poops are being accompanied by symptoms like stomach pain or vomiting. You may even feel anxious about whether certain foods might make things worse\u2014and that’s totally normal. But according to Michelle Routhenstein, RD, a preventative cardiology dietitian at Entirely Nourished, the best food to eat when you have diarrhea is anything that\u2019s super easy to digest and helps counteract the fluid and electrolyte loss you\u2019re experiencing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal is to soothe your stomach, stay hydrated, and give your body and gut the nutrients it needs to heal,\u201d Routhenstein explains.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, here are some foods to focus on while you\u2019re waiting for diarrhea to subside.<\/p>\n

9 foods to eat for diarrhea relief<\/h2>\n

Samantha Peterson, RD, a dietitian at Simply Wellness, notes that foods that are spicy, high in fat or sugar, or artificially sweetened can exacerbate symptoms by irritating the gut lining or making the digestive system work harder. Now\u2019s not the time to experiment with a lot of new foods, either\u2014ideally, experts say you should stick with what your stomach knows and tolerates well.<\/p>\n

As for what foods are <\/em>helpful when you have diarrhea, here are some expert-approved picks.<\/p>\n

1. Kefir<\/h3>\n

\u201cKefir is a fermented yogurt drink, which contains billions of probiotics per cup, helping to replenish the healthy bacteria in the gut, support digestion, and reduce the duration of diarrhea by restoring gut balance,\u201d says Routhenstein.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t like kefir or can\u2019t find it at your local grocery store, Greek yogurt offers many of the same gut benefits. Ideally, look for products that are low in added sugar.<\/p>\n

David D. Clarke, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist and founder of Stress Illness, recommends only introducing yogurt or kefir with active cultures after symptoms have begun to improve a little. That\u2019s because it takes your intestinal cells some time to regenerate lactase (the enzyme that digests milk), according to James Cox, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist and assistant professor at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU.<\/p>\n

This may go without saying, but avoiding dairy products like kefir and yogurt completely if you\u2019re lactose intolerant is a good idea.<\/p>\n

2. Steamed carrots<\/h3>\n

Vegetables can be pretty tough on your digestive tract, mostly because breaking down the fiber in these foods requires a lot of energy. That\u2019s why Peterson suggests steaming them instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cCooked carrots are gentle on the gut and high in soluble fiber, which can help firm up loose stools,\u201d she explains. \u201cThey also provide beta-carotene, a pigment that gets converted into vitamin A, which the body uses to support immune and mucosal health; a bonus when your gut is under stress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Skip the cruciferous veggies, like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower, all of which tend to promote gas because they\u2019re high in fermentable fibers and sulfur compounds. But if you aren\u2019t a fan of carrots, Dr. Clarke suggests trying steamed zucchini or green beans.<\/p>\n

3. Potatoes<\/h3>\n

\u201cPotatoes are a good source of energy and are gentle on the digestive system,\u201d says Dr. Clarke.<\/p>\n