Diarrhea and Raw Foods
Known by a number of different names such as ‘Delhi belly’, ‘jippy tummy’ ‘the runs’, ‘runny tummy’ which reflects the need to explain to friends and family why we have the sudden and urgent need to go to the toilet. Some people find that an excess of spicy food (hence the first name for it) or excessive alcohol can bring on diarrhea and it can be quite a common experience when traveling in less developed countries where the water supply is suspect.
What is it?
This is the name given to a condition when you pass frequent runny stools. You might also feel cramps in the stomach and feel sick. In most cases this is a temporary situation but if it lasts more than two weeks or if you pass blood then you should go to the doctor.
What are the Causes?
It is caused by irritation of the lining of the intestine leading to increased water being passed in the stools. This irritation can be triggered by an infection from infected food or water or it can be passed direct through physical contact often by hands. Sometimes it can cause by emotional upset or anxiety.
Some children get diarrhea as a result of poor toilet hygiene when they are being potty trained. This can be very upsetting for them but bananas are a great hand held convenience remedy that can be popped in the handbag for outings or easily purchased in an emergency.
What lifestyle changes can you make?
In order to prevent diarrhea, make sure you practice good hand hygiene remembering to wash your hands after using the toilet, playing with pets or gardening. If you have diarrhea, do not share towels and avoid preparing food until it has cleared up for fear of passing it on to the rest of the household.
Long term use of aspirin and ibuprofen can cause diarrhea so if you can, try to find a raw food anti inflammatory such as turmeric that you can add to your cooking.
To be safe, it’s probably best to buy bottled water away from home to avoid any problems.
Raw Foods to Eat
As dehydration results from diarrhea you should make sure you drink plenty of water. It is a good idea to add some honey to it as this works wonders on the intestinal tract to kill off the bacteria. Grapefruit seed extract and freshly squeezed lemon juice also work well in water before a meal as prevention. Barley water is also a good tonic for diarrhea. Foods that are high in carbohydrate are advised but if you don’t feel like eating you could take these as soup.
Other foods that work as antibacterial agents in the intestinal tract are:
* Arrowroot
* Tapioca and semolina
* Black currant – found to stop the growth of E. Coli
* Blueberry
You should avoid the following, as these will have the opposite effect:
* Apples
* Bran
* Coffee
* Olive oil
Diarrhea can be most unpleasant especially when traveling in a foreign country, as it’s best to be near a private toilet at times like these. If you are planning to travel, take a note of some of these remedies and put some honey in your suitcase or backpack. If you tend to be prone to diarrhea keep a stock of dried blackcurrants or blueberries in your cupboard and crush them into water for an instant remedy.
To your health,
Omid