6 Foods for Diarrhea (That Slow Down Bowel Movements)

Foods to diarrhea, like cooked peeled carrots, peeled pears and cooked bananas, contain soluble fibers that take longer to digest. These can reduce bowel movements and help to stop diarrhea.

Unpeeled apples and white bread are also low-fiber options that can help to regulate bowel movements and slow-down or stop diarrhea.

You should avoid eating these foods when you are constipated, however. Constipation can be be managed with naturally laxative foods, like oatmeal, papaya or broccoli, for example. Check-out a list of natural laxatives that you can eat if you are constipated.

Imagem ilustrativa número 1

What should I eat for diarrhea?
Some of the best foods for diarrhea include:

1. Cooked unripe banana

Cooked green bananas contain soluble fibers that take longer to digest, and help to slow down bowel movements in the gut.

Green bananas are also rich in potassium, a mineral that is essential for maintaining many bodily functions and can be reduced after several bouts of diarrhea.

2. Cooked apple

Peeled, cooked apples are an excellent option for diarrhea, as it is lower in fiber than raw apples with the peel. Apples also contain pectin, a type soluble fiber that takes longer to digest, which can help to reduce how quickly the gut works to digest food. 

Start by washing the apple and peeling it, then cut it into four pieces. Place the apple in a pot with 1 cup of water and cook for 10 minutes.

3. Cooked carrots

Cooked, peeled carrots are another food option for diarrhea, as they are lower in fiber than raw carrots with the peel. Like apples, they contain soluble fibers that take longer to digest and help to reduce bowel movements.

To prepare this vegetable, wash the carrot thoroughly, peel and cut the carrot into slices. Place the carrot with 1 cup of water in a pan and cook until the carrot is very soft.

4. Rice broth
Rice broth is another great option to eat when you have diarrhea. It is low in fiber and adds bulk to the stool, resulting in more solid bowel movements.

Rice broth can also help to recover any fluid losses from diarrhea, and can be consumed to prevent dehydration.

5. Boiled pears

Cooked, peeled pears are effective for treating diarrhea as they are also high in soluble fiber. This makes the food move more slowly through the intestine, controlling the volume of bowel movements.

Furthermore, pears naturally contain a high water content, helping to hydrate the body in cases of diarrhea and loose stools.

To prepare this fruit, simply wash well, peel and cut one pear into slices. Place the pear in a pot with 1 cup of water and boil until very soft.

6. White bread

White bread is a type of carbohydrate that is low in fiber and easy to digest. It can help to treat loose, watery stools and diarrhea.

You can toast the white bread, however you should avoid adding butter or margarine, as high-fat foods can worsen diarrhea.

Recipe for diarrhea

A quick, tasty and easy recipe with foods that helps to reduce diarrhea is apple and carrot juice:

Apple juice with carrot

Ingredients:

  • 1 boiled, peeled apple
  • 1/2 boiled, peeled carrot
  • 1 cup of water

Directions

Chop the cooked carrot and apple into cubes and place them in a blender with the water. Mix until well-combined, then pour into a glass and drink.