Foods to Have:
Bananas 1 small
Carob powder 1 tablespoon
Dark chocolate or cocoa 1 ounce
Kefir 1 cup
Miso 1 tablespoon
White rice (cooked) ½ cup
Yogurt 1 cup
Also consider: Applesauce, tea, toast, guavas, psyllium husks
What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a symptom, not a disease. It is characterized by loose and watery stools occurring once or up to several times within a day. Acute diarrhea is defined as lasting up to several days; periods of diarrhea episodes lasting longer than that are technically referred to as chronic. Immediate health concerns are dehydration and dangerous reduction of electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium) levels, requiring medical intervention if not resolved quickly. The greatest health concerns of chronic diarrhea are malnutrition, poor appetite, and poor nutrient absorption.
The cause of acute diarrhea is often bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection; it is also sometimes attributed to substances in food that are not fully digested. Poor hygiene and living in unsanitary conditions, along with eating tainted foods or beverages, are common causes of infection that lead to acute diarrhea. Sweeteners called sugar alcohols and lactose in milk are examples of substances that some individuals have trouble breaking down. Whereas chronic diarrhea is often a sign that underlying digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, food allergy or intolerance, or other serious conditions may be at play.
Did you know? About 2.5 million children in developing countries that are under the age of five die of the consequences of chronic diarrhea each year, due to E. coli and V. cholera infections.
Supplements? Probiotics, often found naturally in cultured and fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, miso, kimchee, and sauerkraut, have shown some promise in preventing diarrhea, and even greater promise for treating it. Look for probiotic supplements that contain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains and the gut-friendly yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. Probiotics are available in many forms, such as freeze-dried capsules, liquids, assorted dairy products, and as additions to other food and beverage items.
Psyllium husks are often used in over-the-counter laxative products to promote bowel movements. However, the fiber in psyllium also has the ability to absorb water and form stools.
Severe diarrhea may warrant medical intervention, so always check with a qualified health professional before treating it on your own.
Bananas
Bananas help combat diarrhea by replacing lost potassium, and their soluble fiber from pectin helps absorb liquid in the intestines, to better form and move stool. Bananas also contain inulin, a type of soluble fiber that functions as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial in the gut.
There are over five hundred types of bananas! The banana tree is not actually a tree, but a huge herb! A banana plant can grow as high as twenty feet tall—as a big as a two-story house! Bananas are thought to be the first fruit to be ever grown on a farm.
Carob Powder
Carob is naturally rich in sucrose (sugar) and a good source of fiber. It is caffeine-free, nonallergenic, and does not contain oxalic acid, a substance known to block calcium absorption. It's a godsend for those who don't tolerate chocolate, as it has a similar flavor. The carob pod has been used for centuries in the Mediterranean regions as an effective preventative and treatment of diarrhea. Roasted carob powder added to milk has even been given to infants to stop stubborn diarrhea. (Check with your pediatrician or registered dietitian before trying this remedy with children.)
Carob, native to the Mediterranean and presently grown in Southern California, is an evergreen tree and part of the legume family. The fruit of carob is a thick and broadly shaped pod. It is grown worldwide for its sweet and nutritious fruit.
Dark Chocolate or Cocoa
Who says that your antidiarrheal remedy can't be fun and taste good? Cacao, or cocoa, as it is more commonly known, is used to make chocolate. It is rich in flavanols, a plant nutrient that has many health benefits, including the treatment of diarrhea. Foods and beverages that contain flavanols, such as tea, grapes, berries, and apples, have been shown to block the loss of electrolytes and water caused by diarrhea. Cocoa contains a variety of vitamins and minerals and may be one of the most antioxidant-rich foods known.
The cacao tree is thought to have originated in the foothills of the Andes in South America.
Kefir
The "tang" of yogurtlike kefir (pronounced "kee-fur") is caused by naturally occurring lactic acid and minimal amounts of alcohol, created by its fermentation. Like yogurt, kefir is naturally rich in calcium and protein and a good source of folate, magnesium, riboflavin, and vitamin B12. A recent review study revealed that probiotics, such as those from kefir, may be protective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea. An active substance in kefir called kefirin may have antidiarrheal properties, along with the ability to lower blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol, according to animal research.
This centuries-old drinkable, fermented milk product is thought to have originated when nomadic shepherds carried milk in leather pouches. The warm conditions were ideal to promote fermentation, resulting in a fizzy beverage. Today, kefir is made by fermenting kefir grains that are added to milk and incubated for about 22 hours at 25°C, causing friendly microorganisms to grow in the milk.
Miso
Miso is a traditional Japanese fermented soybean paste. The art of making miso in Asia is akin to wine and cheese making in other parts of the world. Miso can also be produced by fermenting soy, along with grains such as rice, barley, or wheat, with a yeast mold. Although miso contains many different vitamins and minerals, it is not a significant source of any one nutrient, with the exception of sodium. However, miso contains probiotics, and along with other such foods has been shown to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea by replacing the lost beneficial bacteria and possibly inhibiting regrowth of pathogenic bacteria.
White Rice
Rice is helpful during bouts of diarrhea because its soft texture, bland taste, and low fiber content are comforting to the digestive system.
Yogurt
Yogurt has less lactose than milk, so many people who are lactose intolerant may still be able to tolerate yogurt. Dairy and nondairy yogurts contain an assortment of probiotics; read the labels. These probiotics have been shown to prevent and treat pediatric diarrhea and prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea and traveler's diarrhea.
The discovery of yogurt occurred during the Neolithic era, some ten thousand years ago, in central and western Asia. Primitive methods of storing milk caused unintentional fermentation, thus resulting in yogurt. Yogurt gained international prominence in the early 1900s, when a Russian scientist observed that the life span of Bulgarians who consumed large quantities of soured milk averaged eighty-seven years.