What are the best foods to consume when experiencing diarrhea?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

If you have diarrhea, eating gentle, binding foods can help firm up your stool and ease digestion. Bananas are especially helpful because they are easy on the stomach and rich in potassium, which replaces electrolytes lost through frequent bowel movements. Foods high in pectin—a soluble fiber found in bananas, applesauce, and cooked apples—can also absorb excess water in the intestines, helping produce more solid stools. Other bland options like white rice, toast, and boiled potatoes are commonly recommended as part of the BRAT diet.

However, diarrhea can have many underlying causes, from a mild stomach bug to food intolerances, infections, or chronic conditions like IBS. Since the right treatment depends on the root cause, guessing can delay relief or make things worse. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be causing your symptoms and get clear guidance on what to do next.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if diarrhea needs care today Discover likely causes of diarrhea Find out if diarrhea is serious See OTC options for diarrhea relief Find a doctor for diarrhea Understand home remedies for diarrhea Check if diarrhea needs urgent care

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Explanation

When you have diarrhea, it is important to eat foods that are gentle on your stomach and can help manage your symptoms. Green bananas are a good choice because they can help firm up your stool. They contain a type of fiber that is easy to digest and can make your stool less watery.

Pectin, a type of fiber found in fruits like apples, can also be helpful. It helps to absorb water in your intestines, which can make your stool firmer. Eating foods with pectin can be a gentle way to help your stomach feel better.

It's important to keep eating small amounts of food even if you don't feel very hungry, as this can help your body recover and provides nutrition. If you're experiencing persistent digestive symptoms and want to understand what might be causing them, you can check your symptoms for personalized guidance. Remember, if your symptoms don't get better or you feel very sick, it is important to talk to a doctor.

(References)

Sullivan PB. (1998). Nutritional management of acute diarrhea. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.), 9785356.
Rabbani GH, Teka T, Zaman B, Majid N, Khatun M, & Fuchs GJ. (2001). dietary management with green banana or pectin in .... Gastroenterology, 11522739.
Schroeder DG, Torún B, Bartlett AV, & Miracle-McMahill H. (1997). Dietary management of acute diarrhea with local foods in a .... Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992), 9401505.

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