Home
Articles
Q&A

What foods can I eat when I have diarrhea?

Aug 30, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, individuals experiencing diarrhea can consume foods such as millet porridge, steamed apples, boiled Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita), well-cooked noodles, and steamed pumpkin. These foods are mild in texture and easily digestible, helping to reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and assisting in alleviating symptoms of diarrhea. In daily life, besides managing diarrhea through dietary adjustments, it is also important to replenish warm water in small amounts frequently to prevent dehydration. The diet should be light and bland, avoiding greasy and cold foods.

Generally, during diarrhea you can eat foods such as millet porridge, steamed apple, boiled yam, well-cooked noodles, and steamed pumpkin. These foods are mild in nature and easily digested, helping to reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and assisting in alleviating symptoms of diarrhea. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Millet Porridge: Millet is neutral in nature and sweet and salty in taste, possessing functions of strengthening the spleen and stomach and nourishing the body. After being well-cooked, millet porridge is soft and mushy with high water content. It is not only easily digested and absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract but also helps replenish fluids lost during diarrhea, thereby reducing digestive burden.

2. Steamed Apple: Apples are neutral in nature and sweet and sour in taste. When steamed, they are rich in pectin. Pectin can adsorb harmful substances in the intestinal tract and protect the intestinal mucosa. In addition, steamed apples are soft and smooth in texture and do not irritate the gastrointestinal tract, helping to alleviate symptoms of diarrhea.

3. Boiled Yam: Yam is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, possessing functions of strengthening the spleen and stomach and consolidating the intestines to stop diarrhea. Boiled yam is soft and mushy in texture and rich in amylase, which helps break down food, improve spleen and stomach function, and reduce intestinal discomfort, making it suitable for consumption during diarrhea.

4. Well-Cooked Noodles: When noodles are cooked until soft, they are fine in texture and easy to digest without imposing excessive burden on the gastrointestinal tract. A small amount of light soup can be served with boiled noodles to replenish both energy and fluids, making them suitable as a staple food during diarrhea.

5. Steamed Pumpkin: Pumpkin is warm in nature and sweet in taste, possessing functions of replenishing vital energy, strengthening the spleen, and warming the stomach. Steamed pumpkin has a soft and smooth texture and is rich in dietary fiber and pectin, which help regulate intestinal function and alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort caused by diarrhea.

In daily life, in addition to managing diarrhea through dietary regulation, it is important to replenish warm water in small amounts frequently to avoid dehydration. The diet should be light and bland, avoiding greasy and cold foods. At the same time, maintaining a regular routine and avoiding cold exposure to the abdomen can help restore gastrointestinal function.

Related Articles

View All
Can patients with gallstones eat beans?
In general, patients with gallstones can eat green beans, but it is not recommended to consume them in large amounts. Green beans should be thoroughly cooked—never eaten raw or undercooked—to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating and diarrhea. Opt for light cooking methods such as stir-frying with little oil, braising, or cold mixing, and avoid deep-frying or sautéing with excessive oil. Portion control is important; avoid eating too much at one time to prevent gas and bloating caused by excessive dietary fiber intake.
avatar
Dr. Gao Jun
View Full Answer
Symptoms of radiation enteritis
In general, some patients may develop radiation enteritis after receiving pelvic or abdominal radiotherapy, with core symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, tenesmus, and bowel obstruction. Timely recognition and intervention can reduce the risk of long-term complications. Daily management emphasizes a low-residue, low-lactose diet with small, frequent meals, and avoidance of gas-producing foods such as legumes and carbonated beverages.
avatar
Dr. Huang Yuhong
View Full Answer
Can cholecystitis cause diarrhea?
In general, whether cholecystitis causes diarrhea depends on the stage of the disease and the status of digestive function. Diarrhea may occur during acute episodes or when chronic cholecystitis affects bile secretion and excretion. However, when the condition is stable, bile secretion and excretion are normal, and digestive function is unaffected, diarrhea usually does not occur. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for proper evaluation by a physician.
avatar
Dr. Gao Jun
View Full Answer
Is it normal to have diarrhea after gallstone surgery?
Diarrhea usually refers to loose or watery stools. Whether diarrhea after gallstone surgery is normal generally depends on the specific surgical procedure and the stage of postoperative recovery. Post-surgical diet should be introduced gradually, starting with clear liquid and bland foods, then slowly transitioning to low-fat semi-liquid foods and soft foods. Avoid eating high-fat foods such as fried items and fatty meats too early. Maintain regular meal patterns and adopt a strategy of eating small, frequent meals.
avatar
Dr. Gao Jun
View Full Answer
Why does drinking beer cause diarrhea, and what should be done about it?
Diarrhea usually refers to loose or watery stools. In general, the main causes of diarrhea after drinking beer include beer that is too cold, carbonation irritation, lactose intolerance, chronic enteritis, and irritable bowel syndrome. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a正规 hospital. In daily life, individuals should decide whether to drink beer based on their personal health conditions and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
avatar
Dr. Huang Yuhong
View Full Answer
What are the effects and benefits of stewed pear with rock sugar?
Generally, rock sugar stewed pear is a common dietary remedy whose effects and benefits mainly include moistening the throat, relieving dry cough, hydrating the body, stimulating appetite, and soothing irritability. It should be noted that rock sugar stewed pear has a relatively cooling nature; therefore, individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold or those prone to diarrhea should avoid excessive consumption to prevent worsening of symptoms. Consumption should be moderate according to individual conditions.
avatar
Dr. Yu Yongchao
View Full Answer
What are the benefits and effects of海底椰?
Generally speaking, as a food and medicinal ingredient derived from the same source, Hai Di Yei (Borassus flabellifer) has various health benefits, including clearing heat and relieving dryness, promoting body fluid production to quench thirst, moistening the lungs to relieve cough, strengthening the spleen and stimulating appetite, and promoting diuresis to reduce swelling. When consuming Hai Di Yei, one should be mindful of its cooling nature; individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold or those prone to diarrhea should avoid excessive consumption. It is advisable to combine it with warming ingredients to balance its properties, and intake should be adjusted according to individual constitution.
avatar
Dr. Yu Yongchao
View Full Answer
What medication is best for treating enteritis?
In general, enteritis is often caused by bacterial infection, viral infection, or intestinal dysfunction. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as norfloxacin capsules, montmorillonite powder, bifid triple viable capsules, berberine hydrochloride tablets, and racemic anisodamine tablets for treatment. A detailed analysis is as follows:
avatar
Dr. Huang Yuhong
View Full Answer
彩牛养生

Your trusted source for health information and wellness guidance.

Quick Links

Resources

Connect

© 2024 HealthPortal. All rights reserved.