what to eat if you have diarrhea

If you have diarrhea, it is recommended to eat bland, easy-to-digest foods that can help firm up your stools and soothe your digestive system. The BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—is a well-known choice because these foods are low in fiber and binding. Other good options include plain pasta, white potatoes (boiled or steamed without skins), cooked cereals like oatmeal or Cream of Wheat, soft-cooked eggs, clear broths, and plain crackers or saltines. These foods also provide essential nutrients and help with hydration. It is important to avoid dairy (except yogurt with probiotics), fried and greasy foods, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and high-fiber fruits and vegetables with skins or seeds that might worsen symptoms. Drinking plenty of fluids such as water, clear broths, electrolyte solutions, and weak teas is essential to stay hydrated. Eating smaller, more frequent meals rather than large ones can further help by not overloading the digestive system during recovery.