A Complete Diet Guide to Identify the Trigger Foods for Loose Stools

Why Is It Important to Identify the Trigger Foods in Managing Loose Stools?

It is important to note that, when it comes to the food choices for managing diarrhoea, the foods you should eat are as important as those you should avoid while having diarrhoea. Why?

• Dehydration - Excessive fluid loss from the body leads to dehydration, possibly leading to an electrolyte imbalance.
• Discomfort - Associated cramps, stomach pain, urgency and repeated running to the loo can cause discomfort.
• Complications - Repeated diarrhoea can lead to difficulties in the anal region, such as fissure-in-ano (a small tear near the anal opening), piles (bulges of veins and anal tissues), infections, etc.
• Avoid health risks - Some of those diarrhoea episodes with triggers may be due to some underlying health condition, and those triggers may exacerbate the situation.

So, it is always important to be aware of your food choices to avoid episodes of diarrhoea caused by trigger foods.

Plan Your Gut-Friendly Diet - Know How to Be Mindful of Your Food Choices

Say No to These "Trigger Foods!"

Certain foods are known to trigger loose stools, which exacerbate digestive issues, causing diarrhoea to worsen, thereby paving the way to other complications that would adversely affect your quality of life.

Here is a list of foods that you should avoid as they are known to trigger loose stools 

• Milk and Other Dairy Products: These can have a laxative effect on your body, and due to the decrease in the amount of lactase caused by diarrhoea, the digestion of milk and milk products becomes difficult, leading to other difficulties.
   
• Coffee, Carbonated Drinks, and Other Energy Drinks: These foods can increase peristalsis and produce a laxative effect, causing dehydration.
   
• Alcoholic Beverages: These can irritate the gut lining and can cause increased gut motility.
   
• High FODMAP Foods: Garlic, onions, apples, mangos, dairy products, Honey, high-fructose corn syrup, almonds, cashews, wheat, rye, barley, etc, are known to trigger IBS symptoms in some.
   
• Acidic Foods: They are known to irritate the intestinal lining. 
   
• Spicy Foods: Just like acidic foods, spicy foods irritate your intestinal lining, triggering contractions and diarrhoea.
   
• Fatty, Fried Foods: Fried and fatty foods being rich in fats increase intestinal contractions, triggering severe diarrhoea. 

Loose Stools and Grahani: Viewing it Through the Ayurvedic Lens!

Ayurveda considers grahani a condition where the patient suffers from loose stools, predominantly a pitta disease, even though all three doshas are involved.

The Agni/Digestive fire of a patient can be lowered by various factors, leading to a condition called Mandagni / weak agni, one of the leading causes of Grahani.

Incompatible foods and wrong combinations of foods lower your agni by imposing a heavy load on digestion, leading to conditions like grahani.

Say Yes to These "Happy Gut" Foods!

Now, let's quickly look at the food choices that are green flags to controlling Loose stools!

• Try healthy alternatives to dairy products like almond, soya, oat, coconut, and unsweetened, non-dairy milk creams.
   
• Limit your meat intake. Also, try switching to skinless chicken, fish and portioned beef/pork (lean cuts are preferred.)
   
• Try plant-based sweeteners like stevia instead of sugar and artificial sweeteners.
   
• Avoid gassy beans; instead, try lentils, leafy greens, and starchy vegetables.
   
• Use cinnamon and ginger in moderation instead of adding too many spices to your food.
   
• Hydrate your body well with non-caffeinated drinks like herbal teas- peppermint, ginger or fennel.
   
• Drink enough water.
   
• Fatty Yoghurt can help you treat diarrhoea effectively, as it is a rich source of probiotics. Probiotics can help you heal the intestinal flora and ease the inflammation.

When to Seek Medical Help?

Even though you can manage loose stools and symptoms of diarrhoea at home, specific symptoms can prove the need for immediate medical attention. These symptoms can include:

• High degree fever
• Severe abdominal pain/ cramps
• Black stools
• Bloody/ Bloodstained stools

If any of these symptoms persist, even after trying home remedies, consult a healthcare practitioner within no time.

Wrapping it Up!

Loose stools are generally considered one of the common digestive disorders that most of us encounter. Many factors like food poisoning, dietary incompatibility or infections can cause them. In conditions like IBS, it is of genetic origin and can continue as a lifelong disorder. Being mindful of the dietary triggers and practising healthy lifestyle practices can help you effectively manage this condition.

Join our Nirva community to learn more about the holistic approach to treating Loose stools through effective diet plans and lifestyle modifications.