Is Your Diet Giving You Diarrhea?

If you have diarrhea, your diet could be to blame. Learn which foods commonly trigger diarrhea so you know what to avoid.

By Beth W. OrensteinMedically Reviewed by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD

Reviewed: September 27, 2016

Medically Reviewed

If you’re experiencing diarrhea, spicy foods are one potential culprit.

iStock

Start With a Food Diary

iStock

Some people can eat cabbage, broccoli, and other vegetables without side effects like excessive gas and diarrhea — and some can’t, especially those living with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Dairy products such as milk and cheese cause diarrhea for some people, while others react badly to wheat and high-fiber foods. A little detective work can help you determine the cause of your diarrhea and identify any food intolerances you may have. Start by keeping a food diary and gradually eliminating triggers. Here are some top suspects that commonly lead to diarrhea.

High-Fiber Foods

iStock

Wait — isn’t fiber supposed to be good for digestive health? Yes, but if you eat too much fiber you can develop excessive gas and diarrhea. Add fiber to your diet slowly so you don’t cause digestive problems, says Lawrence Schiller, MD, program director of the gastroenterology fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. When diarrhea is already a problem, you should eliminate high-fiber foods from your diet for a few weeks and see if that helps. Fruits to skip include pears, apples, most berries, figs, prunes, dates, and raisins. High-fiber vegetables include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, artichokes, and peas. Watch out for nuts and legumes (meaning all types of beans as well as seeds such as sunflower kernels) and keep whole cereals and grains such as barley, bran, brown rice, oatmeal, popcorn, and whole-wheat bread on your radar, too.

Dairy Products

iStock

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and milk products. People who are lactose intolerant may experience diarrhea if they eat or drink dairy products such as milk, cheese, and ice cream; however, some people find they can tolerate dairy foods that have lower amounts of lactose, such as yogurt and hard cheeses (i.e., Swiss cheese and aged cheddar). Lactase enzyme tablets or drops taken before eating may also help prevent diarrhea problems. Another option is to try products that are lactose-free.

Gluten and Wheat

iStock

Some people have a food intolerance to gluten, a protein that is found in wheat, rye, and barley products. This condition is a common autoimmune disorder known as celiac disease. People with celiac disease must follow a strict gluten-free diet every day. If you have celiac disease, always check food labels because it may not be obvious when a product contains wheat, rye, or barley. With growing awareness of celiac disease and wheat allergies, more gluten-free products are now available on grocery and health food store shelves.

Spicy Foods

iStock

Some people may experience diarrhea and stomach pain when they eat spicy foods such as Buffalo wings, chili, or curry. Spicy foods can irritate the lining of the stomach, causing diarrhea, Dr. Schiller says. The solution is simple: If you can’t digest spicy food well, stay away from them and don’t order menu items marked “extra hot.” Be careful when trying cuisines that are traditionally spicy, such as Indian, Thai, and Mexican foods.

Fatty Foods

iStock

More potential diarrhea culprits are rich foods, including fatty meats, heavy sauces, and that huge scoop of sour cream topping your nachos. Adding lots of oil, butter, or margarine to your food can also cause diarrhea. Some people have difficulty absorbing fat, and unabsorbed fat can cause the small intestines and the colon to secrete more water, resulting in watery stools. If you eat a diet of rich, fatty foods, they may pass through your system more rapidly and give you diarrhea.

Artificial Sweeteners

iStock

Artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, particularly mannitol and sorbitol, can cause diarrhea in some people. Mannitol and sorbitol linger in the stomach, Schiller says, which can result in bloating and diarrhea. These sweeteners are found in hard and soft candies, jam and jelly, chewing gum, cough drops, and other sugar-free products. The best way to avoid diarrhea-inducing sweeteners is to read food labels. The FDA requires foods with over 50 grams of mannitol or sorbitol to list a possible laxative effect on the label.

Alcohol, Caffeine, and Soda

iStock

When you have diarrhea, the beverages you drink can worsen your condition. Alcohol can affect your cells’ ability to absorb water, leading to dehydration, which is already a concern for someone with diarrhea. Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and some energy drinks, is a stimulant that can speed digestion and cause diarrhea. Soda contains gas, and if you have diarrhea that’s one symptom you’re trying to avoid. Instead, stick to clear liquids. You may find warm, flat ginger ale is tolerable, and ginger has been shown to have a soothing effect on the stomach.

Is something in your diet causing diarrhea?

As we age, our digestive systems can become more sensitive to certain types of foods and methods of food preparation. While you once may have handled the spiciest of foods without breaking a sweat, now that super-hot chicken curry gives you the digestive drama known as diarrhea—uncomfortable, unformed, watery stool.

Sometimes diarrhea occurs because of an underlying condition, or as a side effect of a medication (see “Other causes of diarrhea”). However, diet is often the cause.

Diarrhea triggers

The following can cause loose stools or make them worse.

Sugar. Sugars stimulate the gut to put out water and electrolytes, which loosen bowel movements. If you ingest a lot of sugar, you may develop diarrhea. One of the biggest offenders is fructose, which is found naturally in fruits (such as peaches, pears, cherries, and apples) or added to foods and drinks, such as applesauce, soda, and juice beverages. Many people who ingest more than 40 to 80 grams of fructose per day will get diarrhea. Another offender: artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol (found in sugar-free gum, candy, and medications).

Dairy foods. These contain lactose, which some people have a hard time digesting. Watch out for cheese, milk, and ice cream, among many other products.

FODMAPs. Fructose, artificial sweeteners, and lactose are part a group of poorly digested sugars that can cause diarrhea, known as FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols). Other sources of FODMAPs include wheat, rye, onions, garlic, legumes (chickpeas, lentils, beans), honey, pistachios, cashews, asparagus, and artichokes.

Gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, beer, and even salad dressings. People who are gluten-sensitive may have a hard time digesting gluten and get diarrhea as a result. In people with celiac disease, ingesting gluten provokes the body to attack the lining of the small intestine, which can cause serious damage.

Fried or fatty foods. Some people have a hard time digesting creamy or fried foods. When fatty foods are not absorbed normally, they go to the colon, where they are broken down to fatty acids, causing the colon to secrete fluid and trigger diarrhea.

Spicy foods. Spicy sauces may mask high fat content, especially in Tex-Mex dishes or curries. And there’s this unpleasant side effect: If you eat a lot of hot spicy foods, you may get burning in the rectum.

Caffeine. Caffeine speeds up the digestive system. It’s found in coffee, tea, chocolate, many sodas, and foods flavored with coffee or chocolate.

The fix

Identify the foods and drinks that seem to trigger your diarrhea. Keeping a food journal is a great start, and so is seeing your doctor to make sure something else isn’t responsible for your symptoms.

If food is the culprit, following a FODMAP-free diet will often get rid of diarrhea in a week or two. Be-cause many FODMAP foods such as fruits and vegetables are good for health, it’s best to work with a dietitian to develop a FODMAP-free menu that includes other healthy foods.

Get help

Chronic diarrhea can interfere with your life, at home and at work. Even if it is not severe, its unpredictability and urgency can make you reluctant to socialize. And some people hesitate to bring the problem to a doctor’s attention because they think it’s not serious, or because it’s embarrassing. But anyone with chronic diarrhea should contact a doctor, particularly if there are other warning signs, such as low appetite or weight loss. The causes and cures for chronic diarrhea are complex. So, if changing your diet hasn’t resolved the problem, don’t try to figure it out on your own.

Image: 5432action/Getty Images

Dieting diarrhea: causes of diarrhea when dieting while eating

40 954

05/31/2023

2 minutes 900 05

Co-author, editor and medical expert – Klimovich Elina Valerievna.

Editor and medical expert – Harutyunyan Mariam Harutyunovna.

Content:

Soluble fiber – yes!
How can I manage diarrhea when dieting?

Often people who follow a diet notice the development of such an unpleasant phenomenon as diarrhea (diarrhea). It is necessary to understand that we are all different and what is perceived well by one organism can harm another. If you have a suspicion that a certain food is disrupting your digestive system, try every day to write down all the foods that you have consumed over the past day. With this method, you will be able not only to control the diet, but also to determine the presence of food intolerance, which affects about 2% of people worldwide.

Soluble fiber – yes!

In order to keep the digestive system comfortable, high-fiber foods should not be excluded from the diet during the diet, which avoid intestinal problems.

What is the benefit of fiber? First, you need to understand that there are two types of fiber: soluble (found in vegetables and citrus fruits) and insoluble (found in whole grains, bran, rice, and the peel of some vegetables and fruits).

• Soluble fiber absorbs water, making stools firmer.
• Insoluble – Helps prevent constipation and, if abused, can only worsen the symptoms of acute diarrhea, so foods containing a large amount of this complex carbohydrate should not be consumed with diarrhea.

How can I manage diarrhea when dieting?

An integrated approach to diet-induced diarrhea may include a drug such as IMODIUM ^® Express. This agent helps to reduce the release of fluid into the intestinal lumen, improve intestinal motility, normalize the absorption of water and salts by the intestines.* The effect can occur as early as an hour after the drug is used.** The maximum effect of IMODIUM ^® Express can occur in 4-6 hours. At the first dose, you should take 2 tablets of the drug. Further, after each case of diarrhea, it is recommended to use 1 tablet. However, the total amount should not exceed 6 tablets per day. You can get more detailed information about the features of the use of the drug here.

The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace professional medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, contact a qualified specialist.

*King RFGJ, Hill GH. Effect of loperomide and codeinephosphate on ileostomy output. Clin Res Rev 1981; 1 ( Suppl . 1): 207–13. (” Influence loperamide and codeine phosphate at exit ileostomy “).

** Amery, W; Duyck, F; Polak, J; van den Bouwhuysen, G. A multicentre double-blind study in acute diarrhoea comparing loperamide (R 18553) with two common antidiarrhoeal agents and a placebo. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp . 1975 Mar ; 17(3): 263–270. (“A multicentre, double-blind study in acute diarrhea comparing loperamide ( R 18553) with two general antidiarrheal agents and placebo”).

*** Among products based on Loperamide. According to sales in money for February 2018 – January 2019, according to IQVIA.

What to do if a dog has diarrhea (diarrhea), what could be the cause

The quality of a dog’s stool is an important indicator of its health. Therefore, it is advisable for the owner to keep track of how exactly his pet has recovered on each walk. It is necessary to pay attention to the consistency of the stool, its color, volume, the presence of impurities – blood, mucus, foreign objects.

What can cause a dog to develop diarrhea (scientifically called diarrhea)?

There are many causes of indigestion accompanied by soft or loose stools. Almost any violation in the functioning of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract will be accompanied by diarrhea.

Let’s look into the possible reasons:

1. Change in diet.

Any abrupt change in food, the introduction of a new product can cause diarrhea in a dog. As a rule, in such a situation, the general condition of the pet will remain without major changes – there will be no strong deterioration in the condition, the appetite will be preserved or moderately reduced.

First Aid :

• In most cases, a short starvation diet will help in this situation – skip 1-2 feedings. In puppies and toy breeds of dogs, the fasting diet should be no more than 4-6 hours due to the risk of a drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• Power correction. It is necessary to exclude from the diet the product that provoked diarrhea in the dog. If we are talking about changing the feed or type of diet, then it should always be carried out gradually, over 7-10 days, mixing the new feed with the usual one and gradually increasing its proportion. Return to the usual diet, let the stool normalize and introduce a new food in stages.

2. Eating spoiled food, foreign objects. Poisoning.

It is highly desirable to establish what exactly the dog has eaten. This will inform you and your doctor if it is dangerous and what the consequences might be. If there is a suspicion of eating poisonous substances or that the dog has swallowed a foreign object (bags, pieces of toys, washcloths, bones, balls, jewelry, sticks), you should seek help from a veterinary clinic. For some poisonous substances, the doctor will be able to administer an antidote (antidote), some poisonings will be treated symptomatically. To diagnose foreign objects, an x-ray will be needed, if the object is not visible on the x-ray, then a contrast agent will be additionally soldered, which will help identify the foreign object. In some cases, endoscopy may be required.

First aid :

• Brief fasting diet (as described in point 1 above)
• Offer a drink. You can offer saline solutions like Regidron instead of water. It can be bought at any human pharmacy. Many dogs drink it on their own.
• If the general condition of the animal does not cause concern (appetite, activity is preserved or moderately reduced, there is no vomiting, signs of pain) and a slight upset of the stool is the only symptom, sorbents can be given – for example, veterinary Enterosorb or medical Enterosgel.

Do’s and Don’ts :

• Do not try to make your dog vomit. To achieve the effect is very difficult. And you can do much harm (an irritating substance or a foreign object during vomiting can cause severe additional damage to the walls of the stomach, esophagus). Plus, you lose time, which can be very important in saving a dog’s life.

3. Intestinal helminths (worms) and protozoa (giardiasis, cystoisosporiasis)

Diarrhea in a dog may be associated with the presence of helminths. As a rule, these are chronic conditions. Diarrhea may appear intermittently. Sometimes blood and mucus may appear in the stool. Along the way, the dog may gain weight poorly, have flatulence, moderate bloating.

Infection with intestinal helminths occurs by the oral route – most often through raw meat, when eating the feces of other animals, puppies become infected in utero from their mother. Infection with protozoa occurs through contaminated food, soil, water (it is enough to drink water from a puddle), feces.

Treatment for intestinal parasites should be carried out regularly in all animals. The frequency of treatments depends on the type of content (whether he goes outside, what animals he contacts) and the dog’s diet (food / regular food / the presence of raw meat in the diet). The frequency of deworming varies from 1 time per month to 1 time per year. This is worth discussing with your veterinarian.

If a helminth or protozoan infection is suspected, the dog will need to have a stool test. In some cases, it is not possible to identify parasites the first time. And a series of studies may be required – up to 3-5 times at certain intervals prescribed by the doctor.

4. Intestinal infections.

Dogs have a number of viral and bacterial infections that cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

The most famous and very common infectious disease is parvovirus enteritis. Especially dangerous for puppies under the age of one year. The younger the puppies, the higher the mortality rate for this disease. The best protection against parvovirus enteritis is timely vaccination with a quality vaccine following the recommended schedule.

Coronavirus enteritis also occurs. By itself, it proceeds much easier than parvovirus enteritis. But it can join and complicate the course of other intestinal infections.

Of the bacterial lesions of the intestine, the most common diseases are those caused by Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridia.

Intestinal infections, in addition to diarrhea, will usually be accompanied by:

• Fever
• Deterioration of general condition, weakness
• Decrease or absence of appetite, refusal of water
• Vomiting
• Presence of blood and mucus in the feces
• Pain in the abdomen
• Weight loss and dehydration

If you have any of these signs, you should contact your veterinary clinic as soon as possible to help your pet as soon as possible. For the diagnosis of some infectious diseases, there are quick tests that quickly help clarify the diagnosis. This is very convenient, as a blood test in the laboratory can take 2 to 5 days.

The first of the tasks in the treatment of intestinal infections is the fight against dehydration (droppers or infusion therapy). Since with diarrhea and vomiting a lot of fluid and salts important for the functioning of the body are lost. The rest of the range of therapeutic manipulations will depend on the cause and severity of the pet’s condition.

5. Direct diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

These diseases can occur both independently and in combination with each other:

• Inflammation of the stomach – gastritis
• Inflammation of the duodenum – duodenitis
• Inflammation of the intestines in general – enteritis
• Inflammation of the large intestine – colitis
• Diseases of the liver and gallbladder – hepatitis, hepatosis, cholecystitis, cholangitis
• Inflammation of the pancreas – pancreatitis

This is not the whole list. The causes and nature of these diseases are diverse – inflammatory processes, changes in the structure and function of organs, various types of disorders of digestion and absorption of nutrients, hereditary diseases. Gastroenterology is one of the most extensive branches of canine veterinary medicine. It happens that in order to establish a diagnosis, understand the causes of diarrhea and help a pet, a veterinarian, in cooperation with the owner, needs to take a lot of painstaking sequential steps in diagnosis and treatment. To establish a diagnosis for diseases of the digestive tract, clinical and biochemical blood tests, stool tests, ultrasound, in some cases, x-rays, endoscopy, studies for parasitic and infectious diseases are used.

Let’s summarize!

The first steps to be taken if the dog has diarrhea:

• Try to find out the cause, determine the external factors that could influence its occurrence
• Brief Fasting Diet (as described in 1 above)
• Provide access to water, and it is better to give a saline solution like Regidron to drink
• Adjust nutrition if necessary (remove new foods, feed habitual food)
• In case of uncomplicated diarrhea, sorbents can be given

If diarrhea persists for more than a day, other symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic.