7 Food Items You Can Avoid During Loose Motion Sickness

Loose motions, also known as diarrhoea, can be a real drag. It disrupts your day, leaves you feeling drained, and can be highly uncomfortable. While the cause of loose motions can vary, what you eat plays a crucial role in managing and recovering from this unpleasant experience.

In this blog, we’ll tell you about seven food items you should steer clear of when battling loose motions. We’ll also tell you about some excellent foods for loose motions.

7 Food Items You Must Avoid During Loose Motions

Avoid these foods while you’re facing loose motions:

1. Dairy Products

Although we all appreciate a glass of milk, cheese, and yogurt are among your body's natural adversaries during loose motions. Many individuals are lactose intolerant; thus, most cannot absorb lactose, a sugar ingredient that causes loose motions. Even those who can tolerate lactose may have trouble digesting milk during loose motions since their gut has already been irritated by other foods. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, gassiness, and other loose motion issues.

Alternatives

• Lactose-free dairy items: Fortunately, for those reluctant to abandon their gourmand dreams, stores offer lactose-free milk, yogurt, and cheese.
• Food substitutes: If you seek a lactose-free source of calcium and protein, try soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk.

2. High-Fiber Foods

Fiber is typically our digestion's superhero, and diets high in fibre are beneficial for your stomach and bowels. Whole grains, beans, lentils, chickpeas, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are high in insoluble fibre or roughage, which adds bulk to your stools. Although these nutrients are beneficial when someone is constipated, they can exacerbate loose motions.

Alternatives

• Low-fibre options: However strange it may sound, during periods of loose motions, it is okay to consume refined grains like white rice, toast, and crackers since they are gentler on the stomach.
• Soluble fibre: Fruits with soluble fibre such as applesauce, bananas, and cooked carrots can actually help solidify stools; however, it is important to proceed with caution and observe the body's response.

3. Spicy Foods

Spice adds heat to your life, but not when you have uncontrollable loose motions! Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which irritates the digestive lining and causes a burning sensation. This, in turn, makes cramps worse, stools remain loose, and the anus may burn.

Alternatives

• Simple eating: Opt for bland foods during this period. Use as little salt and black pepper as possible.
• Herbal food: Herbs like ginger, peppermint, and eucalyptus can help cool the body.

4. Fatty Foods

While you should avoid fatty foods such as fatty beef meat, fried foods, foods cooked with excessive oil, and greasy meals, meats, and eggs, it is important to consume them in moderation. These types of foods take longer to digest, and when your digestive system is already overworking, it may lead to a congested stomach, nausea, etc.

Alternatives

• Consider lean protein: Choose sources of protein with limited levels of unhealthy fats. Examples include grilled chicken, baked or poached fish, etc.

5. Sugar Alcohols

Sugar alcohols like sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol are commonly used as sugar substitutes in sugar-free candies, chewing gum, and diet drinks. They may be appealing because they have few calories, but high amounts of sugar alcohols can act as laxatives. The laxative property may exacerbate loose motions and gas, leading to bloating.

Alternatives

• Avoid sugar-free candies: Carefully read labels and avoid products with a high concentration of sugar alcohols.
• Use natural sweeteners in moderation: If you need something sweet, a small amount of natural honey or 100% pure maple syrup is a healthier option.

6. Caffeine and Carbonated Drinks

Your morning coffee may be a daily requirement, but the caffeine in it may cause looser stools. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase the speed of your digestion, exacerbating diarrhoea. Additionally, carbonated beverages can cause gas and bloating.

Alternatives

• Hydration: Consume adequate amounts of water and clear broths and beverages like coconut water, full of electrolytes, to help restore any lost fluids from diarrhoea.
• Opt for herbal teas: If you must consume coffee, drink a small quantity of herbal tea instead of a large cup.

7. Gas-Producing Foods 

Some foods cause gas, which may be unpleasant when you have loose motions. These include cruciferous vegetables such as lentils and pulses, onions, and fruits such as apples, particularly with the skin. Fermentation in the stomach results in additional gas, causing bloating.

Alternatives

• Choose low-gas options: Select vegetables such as peeled zucchini, carrots, or green beans, which are less likely to cause gas.

General Guidelines for Dealing with Loose Motions

While there are some foods for loose motions that can ease symptoms, a few general dietary principles can guide you toward a smoother recovery process:

1. Listen to your body: Your body will naturally tell you what it can and can't handle. Pay attention to how you feel after consuming various foods and adjust your diet accordingly.
2. Opt for small and frequent meals: Instead of the usual three-a-day meals, opt for smaller and more frequent meals. This puts less strain on your digestive system, allowing it to focus more on the recovery process.
3. Consider the BRAT diet: This stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast and is a bland diet recommended for managing loose motions. While it's not the only option available, the BRAT diet can serve as a great starting point for subsequent meal planning.
4. Stay hydrated: Loose motions can lead to dehydration. Sip water, clear broths, or coconut water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

Wrapping Up

During episodes of loose motion sickness, avoiding certain foods for loose motion can reduce symptoms and speed up recovery. By steering clear of dairy, spicy foods, high-fibre foods, greasy and fried foods, caffeine and carbonated beverages, artificial sweeteners, and high-acid foods, individuals can give their digestive systems a chance to heal and return to normal functioning. Instead, choose easily digestible, hydrating, and comforting foods that soothe pain and promote recovery. However, consult a doctor for loose motion treatment if symptoms do not improve or worsen. 

If you face loose motions a lot, then this may indicate an underlying and a major problem. So, book a full-body test with Pathkind today and get screened for any potential problems early on!