Foods to Avoid Many types of foods are likely to aggravate your diarrhea and should be avoided. These include:
• fatty, greasy and spicy foods;
• coffee, regular (non-herbal) teas and carbonated beverages containing caffeine;
• citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit;
• foods high in bulk and fiber, such as bran, whole-grain cereals and breads, popcorn, nuts and raw vegetables
and fruits (except apples); and
• beverages and foods generally that are served too hot or too cold.
Replacing What Is Lost Diarrhea can cause dehydration, so you will have to drink plenty of fluids. To replace the fluid, sugar and salt you will lose, a good general formula is: 1 L (1 quart) boiled water, 5 mL (1 tsp.) salt, 5 mL (1 tsp.) baking soda, 20 mL (4 tsp.) sugar and flavor to your taste. As with any specially prepared concoction, however, you should check with your dietitian or doctor to make sure you can tolerate the particular ingredients.
Potassium is also lost in diarrhea. It is a necessary mineral, and it must be replaced. Foods high in potassium include bananas, apricot and peach nectars, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, halibut, asparagus, citrus juices, Coca-Cola and milk. Supplementary potassium tablets sometimes have to be taken.
