Most people suffer from diarrhea a few times each year. This can be due to eating something that didn’t agree with you, a food allergy, or an infection. Either way, it usually isn’t serious. However, it is still important to know which foods stop diarrhea, because the condition can lead to dehydration and other problems.

Which Foods Stop Diarrhea – BRAT:

You may have heard your grandmother mention the BRAT diet. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. If your grandmother mentioned this, she was right. Stopping diarrhea is not about not eating, but it is about making sure your symptoms and your overall health don’t get worse.

The greatest danger of diarrhea is becoming dehydrated. This is because your tissue loses nutrients and water. If your diarrhea lasts for several days, dehydration is very much possible. The complications, meanwhile, can be very serious.

According to specialists, protecting yourself from dehydration is done by consuming liquids with sugar and salt. Salt slows down the loss of fluid, and sugar is needed for the body to properly absorb the salt. Normally, salt is not considered as healthy and should be taken out of diets, but if someone is dehydrating, it is vital. There are numerous over the counter products available to help with rehydration, but food can be just as effective. Chicken soup with pretzels or saltine crackers, just like your grandmother used to make, will work just as well.

Understanding the BRAT Diet:

So which foods stop diarrhea? Clearly, for generations, people have known it is about liquids, salts, and sugars. Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast turn out to work really well, even if those are foods that wouldn’t normally be recommended. For instance, you should normally eat high fiber, whole grain foods. But BRAT is all low fiber, which means you get firmer stools. This is why you should eat white rice. Bananas, meanwhile, are full of potassium, which helps to keep your nutrient levels in check.

Oatmeal is also good, as are peeled baked or boiled potatoes. Baked chicken without skin can also help. They are simple, bland foods, which means your stomach won’t get upset by them.

What About Probiotics?

If you have had diarrhea, it isn’t just about knowing which foods stop diarrhea, but also about replenishing your lost nutrients. Taking probiotics is a great way to do this. Probiotics contain various live bacteria, rebuilding the level of good bacteria in your gut. That said, dairy products are usually a no-no if you have diarrhea, so you need to make sure that you consume probiotics through yogurt or through kefir. The latter is a type of fermented milk. They should both be low in sugar, however.

If you have had diarrhea for more than a few days, you should seek medical advice. If you notice that there is pus or blood in your stools, or if you experience severe pain, then you should also make sure you speak to a doctor. It is always better to be safe than sorry, after all.