Diarrhea is a condition that causes loose, watery stools and frequent bowel movements. It‘s often accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. Whether it’s caused by a bacterial or viral infection, IBS, celiac disease, or food allergies, it can result in serious dehydration that may severely impact your health if not addressed on time. So if you are wondering how to stop diarrhea fast, eating the right kind of food can help.

Arrowroot powder
This is a starchy extract of the Maranta arundinacea plant, native to Western Brazil and Guyana. Research has found that it is one of the best foods to stop diarrhea fast and ease abdominal pain.

To consume it, add 2 teaspoons of arrowroot powder to cold water and make a loose slurry. Next, boil some water, mix in the slurry, and stir until it thickens into a porridge. You can season this with salt or sugar and have it with either diluted plain yogurt or diluted milk. You can also add this to soups or find arrowroot biscuits in the market if you do not want to use the powder.

In addition to reducing diarrhea, arrowroot, being rich in folate, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and protein, is good at providing nutritional benefits to the affected individual.

Probiotics

Plain yogurt, kefir, and kombucha are some of the best foods/drinks to stop diarrhea fast. Diarrhea may occur because of an imbalance of good bacteria in your intestine. Probiotics such as yogurt, kefir, or kombucha help restore good bacteria, thus promoting normal bowel function. This helps speed up recovery. Remember that excessive sugar can worsen diarrhea, so have plain, unsweetened probiotics if you want to heal the disease and get relief from its associated symptoms.

Rice water

If you want to stop diarrhea fast, try rice water. To make rice water, boil a cup of rice with double the quantity of water for a little more than 10 minutes or until the water becomes cloudy. Strain the water and sip on this to get relief from the disease. You can eat the cooked rice too. Rice water helps bind the waste in your intestine, resulting in bulkier and firmer stool. It also prevents dehydration, a severe risk in people affected by diarrhea.

BRAT meal plan
This is often listed among the best foods to stop diarrhea fast. The full form of BRAT is bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Ensure that the applesauce is not sweetened with too much sugar, which can worsen your diarrhea. These are low-fiber, starchy, and bland foods that are less likely to irritate your digestive tract. They also help bind the food waste in your intestine, making the stools bulkier and firmer, helping in reducing diarrhea.

Also, make sure you drink a lot of water or oral rehydration solution along with these foods to reduce the risk of severe dehydration.

Other bland foods
In addition to the BRAT meal plan, you can opt for other bland foods, such as clear broth, potatoes, and saltine crackers, when you are looking for ways to stop diarrhea fast. You can also have apple juice, soda crackers, and cooked cereal, such as cream of wheat. These foods are less likely to irritate your stomach and intestine and are considered some of the best foods to stop diarrhea fast.

Liquids other than water

Besides drinking plenty of water, you can consume the following liquids:

Electrolyte water
Oral rehydration solution
Coconut water
Clear broths and soups that are non-greasy
Decaffeinated tea

The liquids will ensure you are sufficiently hydrated and will not irritate your bowel further, helping you recover sooner.

In addition to being aware of how to stop diarrhea fast naturally, you should know about other treatment options and the measures that can help prevent the disease altogether.

When to seek clinical assistance

If you are in too much pain, have bloody stools, and are extremely tired, consult a physician. If you have bacterial gastroenteritis, you may need to be treated with antibiotics. You may also need other treatments if the cause of your diarrhea is a food allergy, IBS, or celiac disease.

Ways to prevent diarrhea

Apart from consuming the best foods to stop diarrhea flare-ups, it is necessary to follow these steps to prevent the resurfacing of the symptoms:

Washing hands frequently
Cooking food thoroughly
Cleaning vegetables and fruits properly
Not sharing personal things
Avoiding contact with infected people (in case of viral gastroenteritis)
Disinfecting surfaces that are touched often

If the symptoms of diarrhea aggravate or become difficult to contain naturally, you must seek help from a doctor. A doctor can identify any complications and suggest pharmaceutical treatment options to help you seek relief from diarrhea fast.