| Diarrhea
GMHC'S Nutrition & Wellness Program
SOME POSSIBLE CAUSES OF DIARRHEA
- Medications
- Viral, Bacterial, and/or Parasitic Infections
- Food Poisoning
- Emotional Stress
- Food Intolerance
- Sometimes the cause is unknown
IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING ADEQUATE NUTRITIONAL STATUS
Diarrhea can cause weight loss, fluid loss, and an imbalance of
electrolytes (sodium and potassium) levels. Weight loss and dehydration
can lead to malnutrition which can also cause diarrhea. Therefore,
if you are having diarrhea, it is important to maintain adequate
nutritional status.
TREATMENT TIPS FOR DIARRHEA
REPLACE BODY FLUIDS & ELECTROLYTES
- Drink fluids throughout the day, less at meal times.
Try beverages that provide water, electrolytes,
and calories such as:
Diluted fruit juices (grape & cranberry are best tolerated)
Diluted fruit nectars (apricot, mango,peach)
Lactaid milk
Soup and broths
Gatorade and Powerade |
- Replace minerals like sodium and potassium that are lost with
diarrhea with mineral-rich foods.
Some potassium-rich foods to INCLUDE
are:
Banana
Grapefruit
Potato
Orange
Melons
Tomato |
- Consider taking a vitamin and mineral supplement to help replace
what is being lost through diarrhea.
AVOID CAFFEINE
- Caffeine should be avoided because it stimulates the gut. It
is best to avoid food or drinks such as chocolate, coffee, tea,
and sodas.
- Choose decaf (herbal, chamomille) teas, coffee, and decaffeinated
beverages.
LIMIT FOODS HIGH IN INSOLUBLE FIBER
Certain foods that are high in INSOLUBLE fiber
can irritate the intestines and potentially worsen diarrhea.
Some foods to AVOID are:
High Fiber Bran Cereals (Bran Flakes, All Bran, Raisin Bran)
Whole, unrefined grains or granola
Raw vegetables
Fruits and vegetables with skins
Whole kernel corn, nuts, seeds
Dried fruits with small seeds (berries, figs)
Prune juice |
INCLUDE FOODS HIGH IN SOLUBLE FIBER
- Try to include foods that are high in SOLUBLE fiber; these foods
help bulk up the stool.
Some foods to INCLUDE are:
Oatmeal
Skinned/pureed/canned/stewed fruits
Ripe bananas
Fruit sections without membranes (orange, grapefruit)
Applesauce or cooked peas
Mashed beans or tofu |
INCLUDE EASY TO TOLERATE FOODS
- EASY TO TOLERATE foods can help decrease diarrhea.
Some foods to INCLUDE are:
Mashed potatoes
Most breads made with refined white flour
White rice, pasta, macaroni, or noodles
Cream of Wheat
Soft cooked/pureed vegetables without skins/seeds
Ready-to-eat cereal (Cheerios, Rice Krispies)
White toast, saltine crackers |
REDUCE YOUR INTAKE OF FAT
- With diarrhea, the gut has a decreased ability to absorb nutrients,
including fat. Thus, fat may further irritate the gut and possibly
worsen diarrhea.
Tips to REDUCE your FAT INTAKE are:
Avoid fried or greasy foods
Bake, broil, or steam instead
Avoid high-fat foods
Use butter, margarine, & oils sparingly
Choose lean meats and poultry
Remove visible fat from meats and skins from chicken |
- Consider liquid nutrition supplements that are lower in fat
or that contain MCT oil, which is a more easily digested fat and
may be better tolerated. Ask your doctor or nutritionist about
these supplements.
- Because reducing fat means reducing calories, you may need to
make up the calories, by eating more carbohydrates and protein
to maintain your weight.
MONITOR YOUR TOLERANCE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS
- Even if you were able to tolerate dairy products before, you
may now be partially or totally lactose intolerant. This means
your gut may have a harder time breaking down lactose. Lactose
is the sugar in milk and dairy products including cheese and skim
or low-fat milk. Some signs and symptoms of intolerance may include
diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
- Try to eliminate milk or milk products from the diet for a few
days to see if symptoms improve.
- Lactaid tablets, drops, and ready-made Lactaid milk can aid
in digesting these foods.
- Yogurt with live cultures is usually well tolerated.
- Find your level of tolerance by drinking a small amount, for
example, 1/2 cup milk. Combining milk with other foods can also
improve tolerance.
CONSIDER SUPPLEMENTS
- Some herbs that may help treat diarrhea are Ginger Root,
Meadowsweet, and Bayberry Root Bark. These herbs should
be prepared as teas. Recommended dosages per cup of water include:
Ginger Root- 2 teaspoons, Meadowsweet- 1-2 teaspoons (do not exceed
3 cups/day), Bayberry Root Bark- 1/2 teaspoon.
- L. Acidophilus, a "friendly" bacteria, may
be taken to aid in digestion. This supplement should be purchased
from a refrigerated section in a health food store and should
be refrigerated after opening. Recommended amount is 2 capsules
between meals or 1/4 teaspoon of the powdered form dissolved in
water 2 times a day (swish and swallow).
- Some cultures drink the water that rice is cooked in to treat
diarrhea. This type of drink, Amazake, is available
in health food stores.
- Some Asian cultures use Kuzu, the powdered
root of the wild arrowroot, to treat diarrhea. Kuzu is mixed with
water and taken as a thick beverage to sooth and strengthen the
intestines.
- Metamucil or Psyllium Husks
may be helpful. Start off slowly: 1 teaspoon added to 1/4 cup
water or diluted fruit juice and gradually work up to the recommended
dose of 2 teaspoons taken 3 times a day.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
- Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Smaller meals
are easier to digest.
- Try to avoid spices like curry, chili powder, and hot pepper
sauces.
- Anti-diarrheal medications may also be prescribed by your doctor.
- Once the diarrhea has settled down, slowly add food back into
your diet.
Revised 1/2003
© 2003 Gay Men's Health Crisis |
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