Home
Health Encyclopedia
Print
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings

Scripps Cancer Center

Diarrhea

Medical Nutrition Therapy

 

About

Diarrhea happens when water is not properly reabsorbed through the intestine back into the body. This results in frequent, loose, watery stools. There are many causes of diarrhea, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery to certain parts of the body, antibiotic use, malabsorption, along with stress and anxiety. Diarrhea increases the risk of dehydration and results in the loss of not only water, but also nutrients such as potassium and sodium (salt). It is important to manage this symptom because it is essential to get enough hydration, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs to stay strong and healthy.

Nutrition Tips

• Food

    • Consume small, frequent meals or snacks throughout the day

    • Eat foods at room temperature

    • Avoid the following foods:

      • Spicy

      • Greasy

      • Very hot

      • Very cold

      • Very sweet/sugary

      • Highly seasoned

    • Choose high potassium foods to replace potassium losses

      • Examples: bananas, peeled potatoes, coconut water, and yogurt

    • Choose high sodium foods to replace sodium losses

      • Examples: crackers, pretzels, room temperature broths and soups

• Fluids

    • Stay hydrated and consume 8-12 cups (64-96 oz) of well tolerated beverages a day

    • Drink your beverages between meals instead of with meals

    • Take sips and hydrate all day long, instead of drinking a large volume at one time

    • Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, as they can increase dehydration

• General

    • Try a modified “white diet”- bananas, white rice, applesauce, white toast/breads, yogurt, pasta, chicken breast, white fish, eggs, tofu, cottage cheese, and mashed potatoes without skin

 

    Food Group

Foods to Include

             Foods to Limit or Avoid

 

 

 

Dairy

 

 

 

  • Milk, such as:

    • Cow’s milk, low fat or fat-free

    • Soy, almond, rice, or oat milk

    • Lactose free milk

  • Powdered milk

  • Buttermilk

  • Yogurt, low fat or fat-free

  • Cottage cheese, low fat

  • Hard or aged cheese

*Note: consume if tolerated as lactose containing products may make diarrhea worse

  • Whole fat dairy products

    • Examples: milk, ice cream, cream, sour cream, half and half

 

 

 Proteins

 

  • Poultry, meat, and fish:

    • Baked, broiled, or grilled

    • Tender and well cooked

    • Skinless

  • Eggs

  • Tofu and tempeh

  • Smooth nut butters

  • Fried or greasy foods

  • Fatty meat

  • Processed meats

    • Examples: luncheon meats, hot dogs, bacon

  • Nuts, seeds, chunky nut butters

  • Beans and peas

 

 

 

 Grains

 

 

 

  • White bread, bagels, rolls

  • White rice and pasta

  • Salted pretzels and white crackers

  • Hot cereal

    • Examples: Cream of Wheat®, Cream of Rice®, oatmeal, farina, grits

  • Cold cereals without added fiber and made from refined grains

    • Examples: Cornflakes®, Rice Krispies®, Rice Chex®, Cheerios®

  • Whole wheat or whole grain bread, bagels, rolls, crackers, pasta

  • Brown or wild rice

  • Cereals made from whole grain or bran

  • Popcorn

 

 

 

 

*Note: look for grain foods with less than 2 grams of fiber per serving

 

 

 

 Fruits and Vegetables

 

 

 

  • Applesauce

  • Apples, without skin

  • Avocado

  • Bananas, ripe

  • Mandarin oranges

  • Melons

  • Papaya

  • Peach, without skin

  • Pear, without skin

  • Fruits: canned/packaged soft fruits packed in water or natural juices

  • Vegetables, soft:

    • Without skin

    • Well cooked

  • Raw fruits (except those listed)

  • Dried fruit

  • Vegetables:

    • Broccoli

    • Brussels sprouts

    • Cabbage

    • Cauliflower

    • Corn

    • Fried vegetables

 

     Food Group

Foods to Include

Foods to Limit or Avoid

 

 

 Fats/Other

 

 

  • Butter, trans-fat free margarine

  • Cream cheese

  • Oils

  • Salad dressings

 

*Note: limit all fats to less than 8 teaspoons a day

  • Foods with artificial sweeteners

    • Examples: xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, saccharin, aspartame

  • Very sweet foods

    • Examples: cookies, candies, cakes

 

 

 

      Beverages and Fluids

 

 

 

 

  • Water

  • Coffee, decaffeinated

  • Tea, caffeine free

  • Rehydration beverages or sports drinks

  • Broth/bouillon

  • Coconut water

  • Ginger ale

    • Note: try stirring or allow to lose its fizz before drinking

  • Fruit juice, without pulp

    • Note: can dilute with water

  • Lactose free nutrition supplements

    • Examples: Ensure® or Boost®

  • Carbonated beverages

  • Caffeinated beverages

    • Examples: regular coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks

  • Very hot or very cold beverages

  • Very sweet beverages

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Juices:

    • Prune juice

    • Juice with pulp

    • Acidic juices (examples: tomato or citrus)

 

More Nutrition Tips

  • Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) can be used to replace fluid and electrolyte loss from excessive and/or constant diarrhea

    • Choose electrolyte drinks to replace potassium and sodium lost through diarrhea

      • Examples: Gatorade®, Powerade®, Gatorade G2®, Pedialyte®

    • Try these homemade recipes from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the World Health Organization:

      • 2 cups Gatorade + 2 cups water + ½ tsp salt

      • 3 cups water + 1 cup orange juice + ¾ tsp salt + ½ tsp baking soda

      • ½ cup grape juice or cranberry juice + 3½ cups water + ½ tsp salt

      • 1 cup apple juice + 3 cups water + ½ tsp salt

      • 4¼ cups (1 liter) water + ½ tsp table salt + 6 level tsp sugar

 

 

Call the health care team if:

  • Considering taking a medication to treat diarrhea

  • Experiencing uncontrolled or bloody diarrhea, pain or swelling in the abdomen or a temperature above 100.4°F

Powered by Krames by WebMD Ignite
Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.
About StayWell | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer