What to Eat in a Loose Motion? Do’s and Dont’s

If we ask you whether you have heard about “loose motion,” you might laugh and say that you have not only heard about them but also experienced them. 

Loose motion is made of two words, but the condition can turn your life upside down. 

Today’s blog provides comprehensive information about what to eat in loose motion and the foods to avoid to regain health. Frequently asked questions also provide much-needed guidance. 

What is loose motion?

Loose motion, or diarrhea, refers to watery stools that occur more frequently than usual. A stomach or intestinal illness arises when food is passed through the body without being properly digested. Diarrhea or loose motion is very common among every age group worldwide.

Diarrhea, or loose, watery stools, can be acute, lasting a few days, or chronic conditions develop slowly and may affect a person for weeks or longer.

7 Common Causes of Loose Motion

Have a look at common causes of lotion motion, which might take you by surprise: 

1. Stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis)
2. Foods such as coffee, tea, and dairy products. 
3. Artificial sweeteners
4. Viruses, bacteria, and parasites
5. Infections
6. Stress
7. Allergies such as seasonal allergies or pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) 

Note: Most of the time, loose motion is not considered serious and can be treated at home. 

What is the Number 1 Rule in Loose Motion?

The number one rule when you have loose motion is keeping it simple. Exclude exotic foods and drinks from your diet. Plain and simple food is easily tolerable. 

What do you eat when you have loose motion?

When experiencing diarrhea, choosing foods that are easy on your digestive system while supplying essential nutrients your body requires is crucial. Adopting a bland diet with easily digestible options can help alleviate symptoms and support recovery. 

Top 10 Recommended Foods to Consume During Loose Motion:

1. Bananas: High in potassium, bananas assist in replenishing electrolytes that can be lost during episodes of diarrhea. They are also gentle on the stomach and contain soluble fiber, which can help normalize bowel movements.

5 Benefits of Bananas:

Top five benefits of bananas include:

• Bananas contain fiber that can help improve digestion and disease prevention.
• The vitamin C content (about 10 grams) in bananas can strengthen your immune health. 
• Potassium in bananas can help lower blood pressure.
• Magnesium in bananas is also beneficial. It can lower your sugar levels by 37%.
• Eating bananas can help eliminate chemicals from your liver and kidneys.

2. Plain white bread or toast can help absorb extra fluid in the digestive tract while also providing carbohydrates for energy. The best thing about plain white bread is that it is easy to digest and can bind stools when you have diarrhea. 
3. Yogurt: Choose plain, unsweetened yogurt that contains live active cultures. Yogurt is probiotic-rich and can help restore the balance of beneficial gut bacteria, aiding digestion and decreasing diarrhea. Additionally, if you are lactose intolerant, choosing a dairy or lactose-free yogurt is considered helpful. 

Also read:

 https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/home-remedies/how-to-stop-loose-motion-instantly-home-remedies-and-prevention-tips/

Top 5 Benefits of Yogurt: 

Top five advantages of eating yogurt include: 

• Yogurt contains probiotics that help balance the bacteria in your digestive system. 
• Eating yogurt in moderation every day can help boost the immune system.
• Include yogurt in your weight loss diet. Its consumption can speed up metabolism, losing the fat quickly.
• Lactic acid in yogurt can help exfoliate the skin and lighten the dark spots.
• The British Journal of Nutrition reveals that yogurt can help lower your total cholesterol by 4%. 

4. Boiled white rice: Eating plain, bland food is advisable in loose motions. Hence, you can eat boiled white rice. They are easy to digest and offer energy. Consumption of such foods helps prevent stomach upset and irritation.

Additionally, boiled white rice is a key component of the B.R.A.T. diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) because it is easy to digest and offers energy.

Did you know?

Boiled white rice is historically recommended for children and adults to help eliminate gastroenteritis and diarrhea.

5. Applesauce is mild on the digestive system because it is broken into an easy-to-digest form and supplies important nutrients such as vitamins and fiber. Pectin is a soluble fiber present in applesauce. Hence, its consumption can neutralize the effects of irritable bowel syndrome. 
6. Boiled potatoes are an excellent energy source to help solidify loose stools. Eating boiled potatoes makes them simpler to digest while offering a soothing meal option. Additionally, boiled potatoes help regulate digestion and promote regularity. 

Did you know?

Boiled potatoes contain resistant starch that may act as a prebiotic and feed the good bacteria in the gut. 

7. Lean protein, or lean animal protein such as egg whites, chicken breast, lean beef, and lean fish, is well-tolerated when you have loose motions. Additionally, clear broth soup provides essential nutrients and keeps you hydrated. 

If you eat non-vegetarian foods, incorporate lean animal protein into your diet to ease out on the stomach. 

8. Oatmeal: Eat oatmeal when you have loose motion. The soluble fiber in oats, beta-glucan, is helpful if you have constipation or diarrhea. 

According to D’Ambrosio, soluble fiber attracts water and turns it into a gel during digestion. This aids in getting bulky stool, which is easier to pass. 

Eat plain oatmeal, cooked with water or low-fat milk for breakfast. It is soothing and fully nutritious. 

9. Electrolyte drinks: Diarrhea or loose motion can quickly dehydrate you. Electrolyte drinks such as ORS (oral rehydration solution), coconut water, and watermelon juice can help replenish your internal fluids and contain essential nutrients to avoid dehydration and its complications. 

Sports drinks such as Gatorade, decaffeinated teas like ginger and chamomile, and drinking lots of water can keep you hydrated without worsening your symptoms. 

10. Salty Foods: Salt helps maintain fluid levels. For instance, chicken noodle soup contains a decent amount of sodium, which protects against dehydration. 

Other Options to Eat When You Have Loose Motions

Lots of other options to eat when you have loose motion include: 

• Psyllium: It soaks up a decent amount of water in the gut to form a gel, making stool firmer and easy to pass. 
• Ground Chia: Soak ground chia in coconut or lactose-free milk before eating. It can alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating. Thus, it reduces inflammation and supports healthy digestion. 
• Partially hydrolysed guar gum: It feeds your good gut bacteria, normalizes the moisture content of the stool, and transports food through the gut. 
• Carrots and kent pumpkins: Both these vegetables contain pectin (soluble fiber), and are easily tolerable when you have loose stools. 
• Kimchi (a Korean dish): Yogurt and kimchi are fermented foods. Consuming them can help increase the good bacteria in your gut, promote digestion, and prevent loose motion.

Foods to avoid when you have loose motion

Now, after knowing foods that can help you recover quicker and get firm stools, some foods are important to avoid. They might aggravate gastric distress and worsen the condition. 

• Dairy products such as milk, high-cottage cheese, ghee, and heavy cream could elevate diarrhea. Consuming dairy products can worsen or prolong diarrhea. 
• High-fiber Foods: Avoid high-fiber foods while experiencing loose stools. Incorporate foods containing soluble fiber, which soaks up water in the digestive tract, making stool firmer and slower to pass.
• Raw foods and vegetables: Eating raw foods and vegetables is strongly prohibited during loose stools to avoid stomach ache. 
• Caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks might trigger symptoms. Hence, they should be avoided. 
• Products containing artificial sweeteners such as sports drinks, aspartame, and erythritol should be avoided. You can include sports and electrolyte beverages that can help with dehydration and make you feel better. 
• Fried and fatty foods can irritate your digestive system, causing increased inflammation and diarrhea. Hence, they need to be avoided. 

5 Effective Home Remedies to Treat Loose Motion

Below are some home remedies to treat loose motion:

1. Over-the-counter medicines: Treat loose motion at home by taking over-the-counter medication such as loperamide. 
2. Eat a recovery diet: The International Foundation of Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) recommends eating small meals rather than three large meals. 
3. Include the B.R.A.T. Diet: The B.R.A.T. diet is beneficial, containing low fiber and high starch, which results in more solid bowel movements. 
4. Avoid certain foods: Avoid certain foods containing high levels of fructose, such as fatty meat, high-fiber foods like legumes, and gas-promoting vegetables. 
5. Listen to your body: Do not ignore signs that your body will naturally tell you what it can handle. Adjust your diet accordingly.

When to see a doctor? 

If loose motions continue for more than a few days and no antibacterial medicines or diet modification work, it is time to see a doctor. 

If you experience nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, blood or pus in your stool, or any other signs that bother you, check in with a healthcare provider. 

Additionally, if you have diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or a weakened immune system, a doctor’s visit is mandatory to manage the symptoms effectively. 

Outlook

Diarrhea or loose motion is not something that cannot be treated. Its treatment depends on the cause. Foods such as salty, low-fiber crackers, broth, and applesauce can help reduce symptoms. Avoid greasy and fried foods, carbonated drinks, caffeine, and tea; they can make healing much easier. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What are some popular effective home remedies to treat loose motion?

Some effective home remedies for loose motion include lemon juice, salt-sugar water, yogurt, bananas, pomegranate, and fenugreek seeds. 

2. Can I eat avocados to treat loose bowels?

Yes. Eating avocados in moderation can help get rid of loose motion. Additionally, it is an excellent source of potassium, vitamin K, folate, and healthy fats, offering immense health benefits.s 

3. Is eating spinach good for loose motion?

Yes, eating cooked spinach is good when you have loose motion. It is loaded with iron and other nutrients, offering immense health benefits. 

4.What is the best beverage for diarrhea?

The best beverages for diarrhea include lots of water, coconut water, fresh juices, oral rehydration solutions (ORS), and drinks free of coffee.

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