Diarrhea: Dietary and Lifestyle Recommendations to improve symptoms
Diet. Treatment of diarrhea may center on developing general healthy diet guidelines. This involves adjusting the diet to eliminate foods suspected of stimulating or irritating the digestive tract and then slowly reintroducing them to determine if they aggravate symptoms. If they do in fact aggravate symptoms, eliminate from your diet.
A second step would be to maintain an adequate source of soluble fiber which helps to alleviate both constipation and diarrhea. Foods high in soluble fiber produce a gel when mixed with liquid. Soluble fiber helps maintain regularity by forming bulk and keeps the muscles of the colon stretched and working. An excellent source of this soluble fiber is ground flax meal.
Dietary recommendations for diarrhea include:
Replenish electrolytes by adding foods rich in potassium and sodium such as bananas, orange juice, and broth.4
Drink plenty of clear liquids every day until you recover.
Add semisolid and low-fiber foods gradually as your bowel movements return to normal.2
Add ground flax meal to your diet to maintain healthy and regular bowel movements.
Add healthy saturated fats such as organic extra virgin coconut oil to your diet to promote digestive regularity.
Add nutrient-dense and unprocessed foods such as sprouted nuts and seeds to your diet.
Eat small meals throughout the day, rather than 3 large, heavy meals.
Add omega-3 essential fatty acids by selecting ground flax meal, wild-caught salmon, minimal-mercury albacore tuna, fish oil, and sprouted walnuts.
Foods to AVOID include:
Alcoholic beverages in excess since they hinder the functioning of the immune and digestive systems
All dairy products until diarrhea is resolved.
Carbonated beverages
Excessive caffeine intake – While moderate amounts of caffeine may be beneficial, excessive consumption can disrupt the body’s systems, causing insomnia and digestive irregularity (constipation or diarrhea).
All simple or refined carbohydrates (white bread, pasta, cookies, cakes, crackers, etc.) – Read more about good carbs and bad carbs.
Sweetened fruit juices that spike blood sugar levels too rapidly
Sodium nitrite found in processed foods such as hot dogs, lunch meats, and bacon
All foods containing refined sugar or artificial, non-nutritive sweeteners such as aspartame, Splenda®, etc. Choose a natural sweetener like Xylosweet instead.
Bottom crawlers, such as oysters, clams, and lobster that may contain toxic levels of mercury
Deep-sea fish such as tuna, mackerel, and swordfish that may contain toxic levels of mercury. Choose minimal-mercury albacore tuna instead.
Farm-raised fish that contain PCBs and not enough omega-3 essential fatty acids, due to their land-based diets. Choose wild-caught salmon instead.
Products (such as soy milk and ice cream) that contain carrageenan, a seaweed extract that’s added to foods to retain their creamy texture. For some people, carrageenan irritates the stomach.4
Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) found in many processed foods, deep-fried foods, fast food, and junk food – Read more about good fats and bad fats.
Exercise. Regular exercise improves general health and relaxes the bowel. Regular exercise may also encourage the bowel to remain relaxed and function more efficiently. When you have chronic diarrhea, perhaps the last thing you want do is exercise, but even going for a walk is a step in the right direction.
Other tips for diarrhea sufferers
If you have “silver†dental fillings, get an evaluation from a mercury-free dentist who specializes in the safe removal of mercury amalgam fillings. Mercury in the body can damage the gastrointestinal system and be a cause of diarrhea. Find a mercury-free dentist in your area now!
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