What Foods to Eat If You Have Diabetes and Are Experiencing Diarrhea

The typical diarrhea diet flies in the face of most dietary recommendations for people with diabetes. While most diets for people who have diabetes are rich in fibrous fruits, vegetables and beans, foods that help to ease diarrhea symptoms tend to be the exact opposite. However, that doesn't mean that you must endure diarrhea just to stick to your meal plan. There are a number of foods beneficial to people with diabetes that also help you bounce back faster from diarrhea. If you have diarrhea that lasts longer than five days or is combined with a fever, the University of Maryland Medical Center advises that you contact your doctor.

After experiencing a bout of diarrhea, your number one priority is rehydration. You've lost significant amounts of fluid and the best way to get it back is through water, Health Castle reports. Electrolyte containing beverages such as Pedialyte and Gatorade may help in your hydration efforts. However, they tend to be high in simple sugars and should be avoided or limited if you have diabetes. That's why pure water -- which is calorie and sugar free -- is your best bet. Health Castle recommends that you drink at least eight glasses of fluid per day to replenish fluid lost during your diarrhea spell. In addition to water, you can also rehydrate with beverages such as caffeine-free tea or diet soda.

Vegetables and other fiber-rich legumes should be avoided while having diarrhea, Health Castle reports. Fibrous foods can worsen diarrhea. However, this doesn't mean that you need to get your carbohydrates from starchy veggies such as white bread and crackers. By boiling your vegetables extensively so that they're soft, you can still eat the vegetables included on your diet without making your diarrhea worse. You may also want to consider removing the skin or seeds from vegetables such as tomatoes and eggplants before eating them.

Bananas are the "B" in the commonly used B.R.A.T. diet for diarrhea. While the B.R.A.T diet remains unproved, the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, reports that bananas may improve diarrhea symptoms. Also, bananas in moderation are part of a healthy diet for people with diabetes. However, limit your banana intake to one or two serving per day as they are high in the fruit sugar fructose. Mayo Clinic warns that excessive fructose intake can induce diarrhea in people who are fructose intolerant.