Let’s face it: Diarrhea straight up stinks (pun intended). That “uh-oh” urgency to run to the bathroom, especially multiple times per day, can get pretty annoying (and even painful at times). Thankfully, there are lots of different home remedies for diarrhea that you can implement ASAP to get relief.
“Acute diarrhea can be due to many root causes, from lactose intolerance, to an infection, or even food poisoning,” says Elena Ivanina, DO, MPH, a gastroenterologist and founder of the Center for Integrative Gut Health in New York City. While it’s important to get to the bottom of your diarrhea (especially if it’s more than a one-off event like a stomach bug), your primary focus at the moment is probably just curbing the flow of liquid stool so you can feel…a little less like death. And with that, here are some at-home remedies to stop diarrhea, plus when to see the doctor if you just can’t stop pooping.
1. Eat easy-to-digest foods
Not everyone has an appetite when they have diarrhea. But if you’re up for it, eating soft and bland foods is usually your best bet. This could be things like the following, per the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD):
- Toast
- White rice
- Bananas
- Applesauce
- Plain white pasta
- Yogurt
- Eggs
“These foods are mild and easy to digest, making them great choices for calming the intestines,” says Danielle VenHuizen, RD, a Seattle, Washington-based dietitian specializing in gut health. You can also try eating more foods with soluble fiber. Some foods high in soluble fiber include the following, per VenHuizen:
- Oats
- Peas
- Peeled apples
- Peeled pears
- Barley
2. Limit trigger foods
When you have a bout of diarrhea, you’re going to want to steer clear of anything that will further irritate your gut (i.e., cause a poop emergency). Some things that could trigger an upset stomach include the following, per the IFFGD:
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Sugary juices
- Artificial sweeteners
- Fatty or fried foods
- Sugary snacks
It may also be helpful to take a break from foods high in insoluble fiber. Some foods with insoluble fiber you’ll want to avoid for a while include the following, per VenHuizen:
- Whole wheat
- Wheat bran
- Quinoa
- Brown rice
