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Diarrhoea

The Food Chain > Nutrition and HIV > Managing Symptoms and Side Effects > Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea means having more frequent, lose or watery stools. It can be a side-effect of medications or as a result of damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms usually settle after an acute spell of diarrhoea but for some people, symptoms will persist. Other causes include: 

If untreated, diarrhoea can cause weight loss, fluid loss and an imbalance of the electrolytes needed to keep you healthy. So, treating diarrhoea is very important to limit loss of nutrients, protect health and nutritional status and prevent malnutrition.  Try to keep eating and drinking during a bout of diarrhoea. If new symptoms persist for more 7 days contact 111 or your healthcare team for advice. Use our Food & Symptoms Diary to record what you are eating and drinking and any symptoms – this will be useful to identify causes and to take to your next appointment. 

What can I do? 

Try to increase sources of soluble fibre in the diet. Soluble fibre contains gums and pectin that allows it to absorb water to form a gel in the stomach which adds bulk to the stool and helps to slow digestion. 

Try: 

  • Porridge with banana/orange for breakfast as a great source of soluble fibre. 
  • Eating plain carbohydrate foods such as white rice, white toast or boiled potatoes. 
  • Eating potassium rich foods such as bananas, oranges, potatoes, chicken, fish and tomatoes. 
  • Drinking plenty of fluids. Aim for 2 litres per day and include water, tea or diluted fruit juice. Try our Homemade rehydration drink to help replace lost fluids, electrolytes and calories.
  • Eating regular small meals.

Try to avoid: 

  • Wholegrains such as wholemeal breads, wholemeal pasta or rice and cereals. 
  • Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, beans, and fruits with their skin on.  
  • Stay away from fatty and highly spiced foods. 
  • Sugary drinks and caffeinated drinks including fruit juice, cola, energy drinks and coffee. 
  • Limit milk and milk products. 
  • Dried fruits, nuts and seeds. 

Don’t forget that it is important to re-introduce wholegrains, fruits and vegetables into the diet once your symptoms have passed. For more information, check out our Diarrhoea Factsheet