What are the best foods to eat when you have diarrhoea?

DIARRHOEA is an uncomfortable condition and affects most people from time to time.

But if you’ve been unfortunate enough to have it, then you’ll know that food is usually the last thing on your mind.

At some point though, you’re going to be lacking in energy and experts agree that you should eat solid food as soon as you feel able to.

What foods are good to eat if you have diarrhoea?

NHS medics recommend eating small, light meals and avoiding fatty or spicy foods.

Official states: “Salty foods help the most.

“Good examples are potatoes, rice, bananas, soup, and boiled vegetables.”

Experts at said you should also try and eat foods that make your stools firmer.

These include:

• Rice
• Pasta
• Potatoes without the skin
• Dry cracker biscuits
• Chicken
• Beef
• Fish
• Scrambled eggs

However, medics say you don’t need to eat if you have lost your appetite but that you should continue to drink plenty of fluids.

This will help you avoid dehydration and you should take small, frequent sips of water.

Ideally, adults who are dealing with the condition should drink a lot of liquids that contain water, salt and sugar.

You can drink water mixed with juice or soup broth and if you’re consuming enough fluids, then your urine should be light yellow or almost clear.

If you are able to make it out to your local pharmacy then your pharmacist might suggest using a oral rehydration solution (ORS) to stop you becoming dehydrated.

These solutions usually come in a sachet and are available without a prescription.

It’s always important though that you read the label.

Most of the time they are dissolved in water and help replace salt, sugar and other important minerals that are lost when you have the poos.

What is the NHS’ guidance on diarrhoea? 

The NHS says that if you have diarrhoea then you can help to avoid spreading the infection by doing several things.

Medics say you should wash your hands with soap and water frequently.

You should also wash any clothing or bedding that has poo or vomit it on it – separate to other clothes and on a hot wash.

Make sure toilets are clean, you’ve flushed it and you clean surfaces and door handles every day.

Can I go to work or school with diarrhoea?

Usually diarrhoea is something you have to ride out, as it will get better on its own.

You must stay off school or work if you have been unwell for at least two days, as this suggests you have a bug that could be spread.

A pharmacist can help with medicines to relieve diarrhoea and it’s associated symptoms, like dehydration.

But call a pharmacy or contact them online before going in person. You can get medicines delivered or ask someone to collect them.

The NHS says to call 111 if:

• there is blood in diarrhoea, or you are bleeding from the bottom
• diarrhoea has lasted more than seven days, or vomiting more than two days
• you have signs of dehydration (fewer wet nappies in young children) despite using rehydration sachets
• you can’t keep fluid down
• you are worried about a baby under 12 months
• your child has stopped feeding (breast or bottle)

Call 999 if you or your child:

• vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee
• have green or yellow-green vomit
• might have swallowed something poisonous
• have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
• have a sudden, severe headache or stomach ache