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Cancer treatments and medicines can cause your bowels to move
much more often and become very loose (diarrhea). Uncontrolled diarrhea
can lead to weight loss, dehydration, poor appetite, and weakness. If
you have diarrhea, try avoiding high-fiber foods, which may make the
problem worse. These include nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, dried
fruits, and raw fruits and vegetables. You should also avoid high-fat
foods, such as fried and greasy foods, because they can also promote
diarrhea. Stay away from gassy foods and carbonated drinks too. Be sure
to sip fluids all during the day to prevent dehydration. Once the
diarrhea has stopped, slowly start back eating foods containing fiber.
What to do
- Drink plenty of mild, clear, non-carbonated liquids during
the
day. Drink liquids at room temperature. This may be better tolerated
than very hot or cold beverages.
- Eat small, frequent meals and snacks during the
day.
- Avoid greasy, fried, spicy, or very sweet foods.
- Limit milk or milk products to 2 cups a day. Yogurt and
buttermilk are OK.
- Avoid drinks and foods that cause gas, such as carbonated
drinks, gas-forming vegetables, and chewing gum. (You may drink
carbonated beverages if you leave them open for at least 10 minutes
before drinking.)
- Drink and eat high-sodium
foods such as broths, soups, sports
drinks, crackers, and pretzels.
- Drink and eat high-potassium
foods such as fruit juices and
nectars, sports drinks, potatoes with the skin, and bananas.
- Increase soluble fiber foods such as applesauce, bananas,
canned peaches and pears, oatmeal, and white rice.
- Drink at least 1 cup of liquid after each loose bowel
movement. Try water, sports drinks, or bouillon.
- Avoid chewing sugar-free gum and eating candies made with
sugar alcohol (i.e., sorbitol, mannitol, or xylitol).
- Call your doctor if diarrhea continues or increases, or if
your stools have
an unusual odor or color.
What to eat or not eat when you
have diarrhea*
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Eat
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Foods that may cause problems
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High protein
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Baked or broiled beef, pork, chicken, turkey, veal,
fish, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt
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Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta
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Bread and rolls made from refined, white flour; pasta;
converted or instant rice; refined cereals such as farina, cream of
wheat, cream of rice, oatmeal, cornflakes; pancakes; waffles;
cornbread; muffins; graham crackers
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Whole grain breads and cereals such as whole wheat, oat,
and rye; bran; shredded wheat; granola; wild rice
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Fruits and vegetables
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Soups made with allowed vegetables; cooked asparagus
tips, beets, carrots, peeled zucchini, mushrooms, celery, tomato paste,
tomato puree, tomato sauce; baked potato without skin; canned or frozen
fruit without peel
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Fresh, unpeeled fruit; pears; melon; all other vegetables
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Drinks, desserts, and other foods
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Butter; margarine; mayonnaise; salad dressing; vegetable
oil; cake; cookies; flavored gelatin desserts; sherbet; fruit pie made
with allowed fruit; decaffeinated beverages; salt, pepper, spices, and
gravy as tolerated
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Desserts with nuts; coconut; dried fruit; chocolate;
licorice; pickles; popcorn; foods with a lot of pepper, chili
seasoning, or taco seasoning; hot sauces
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*Adapted from Eldridge B, and Hamilton KK, Editors, Management
of Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Cancer and Educational Handouts
Chicago, Il: American Dietetic Association; 2004.
Revised: 02/04/2008
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