Can You Eat Shrimp When You Have Diarrhea?

Diarrhea can be an unpleasant and disruptive symptom to deal with. It can come on suddenly and make it difficult to leave the house. When you have diarrhea, one of the most important things is staying hydrated. However, what you eat can also make a big difference in how long it lasts and how severe your symptoms are. In this article, we’ll take a look at whether shrimp is a good food choice when you’re experiencing diarrhea.

What is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is characterized by loose, watery stools that occur more frequently than usual. Most cases are acute, meaning they last a short time. Acute diarrhea often lasts 1-2 days and goes away on its own. It’s usually caused by a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection.

Chronic diarrhea lasts for at least 4 weeks. It can be a symptom of more serious medical conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome. Diarrhea can also be a side effect of certain medications.

In addition to loose stools common diarrhea symptoms include

• Cramping and abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Dehydration
• Urgency to have a bowel movement
• Inability to control bowel movements

Severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which is especially dangerous for infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. It’s important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. You may need intravenous fluids if you’re unable to keep down liquids.

Diet Tips for Diarrhea

What you eat and avoid eating can help manage diarrhea symptoms. Here are some diet tips to follow when you have diarrhea:

• Stick to bland, low-fiber foods – Fiber, especially insoluble fiber from foods like raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts, can worsen diarrhea. Focus on low-fiber, starchy, and easy-to-digest foods.

• Avoid dairy – Dairy products like milk, ice cream, and soft cheeses can make diarrhea worse. Yogurt and aged cheeses like cheddar may be better tolerated.

• Avoid fatty, greasy, or spicy foods – These types of foods can irritate your gastrointestinal tract and worsen diarrhea symptoms.

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol – Caffeine and alcohol can stimulate the digestive system and worsen diarrhea.

• Eat small meals – Eating smaller, more frequent meals is easier on your digestive system than large meals.

• Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of clear fluids like water, broth, and electrolyte-rich drinks. Avoid sugary drinks and excessive fruit juice.

• Get probiotics – Probiotics from yogurt and fermented foods can help replenish healthy gut bacteria.

• Avoid artificial sweeteners – Sugar substitutes like sorbitol and xylitol can have a laxative effect.

The BRAT Diet for Diarrhea

The BRAT diet is a go-to treatment for diarrhea. BRAT stands for:

• Bananas – Contains potassium and pectin to absorb excess fluid.

• Rice – Low-fiber, binding, and easy to digest.

• Applesauce – Low-fiber, soothing source of nutrients.

• Toast – Low-fiber white bread is gentle on the stomach.

Other recommended BRAT foods include:

• Saltine crackers
• Boiled potatoes
• Oatmeal
• Pasta
• Broths and clear soups
• Skinless chicken
• Eggs

The BRAT diet provides the stomach with low-fiber, high binding foods that are easy to digest. This helps firm up loose stools. It also replaces lost nutrients like sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

However, the BRAT diet is not nutritionally adequate for long-term use. It should be followed for 1-2 days to manage acute diarrhea symptoms and then slowly transition back to a regular, balanced diet.

Can You Eat Shrimp When You Have Diarrhea?

So can you eat shrimp if you have diarrhea? Shrimp can be a good food choice when you have diarrhea for a few reasons:

• It’s low in fiber – Fiber can worsen diarrhea, so low-fiber foods like shrimp are recommended. A 3 oz serving of shrimp has 0 grams of fiber.

• It provides protein – Diarrhea can cause you to lose protein. Shrimp is a lean source of protein to help replace what’s lost.

• It contains key minerals – Shrimp provides minerals like iodine, selenium, zinc, and iron that support immune function.

• It’s easy to digest – Shrimp is low in fat and easy on the stomach. It contains prebiotics to support healthy gut bacteria.

• It has a bland flavor – BRAT diet-approved foods are bland in flavor. Shrimp has a mild, neutral taste.

Shrimp that is steamed, boiled, or grilled is safest when you have diarrhea. Avoid breaded or fried shrimp and shrimp in heavy, creamy sauces.

For best results, follow these tips when eating shrimp with diarrhea:

• Peel and devein shrimp to remove potential irritants
• Cook shrimp thoroughly until opaque
• Choose plain preparations without butter or oil
• Eat smaller portion sizes – 1-2 oz to start
• Avoid spicy seasonings that can worsen symptoms

Other Seafood Options for Diarrhea

While shrimp is usually well-tolerated, some people may find it aggravates their diarrhea symptoms. In that case, here are some other seafood options to try:

• Canned tuna – Provides protein without extra fat or fiber. Choose tuna packed in water.

• Salmon – Contains inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids to soothe the gut. Opt for boiled or grilled salmon fillet.

• Tilapia – Has a mild flavor and is easy to digest when baked or broiled.

• Crab meat – Low in fat and fiber. Pick canned crab or imitation crab meat.

• Cod – Lean, white fish that is high in protein but low in fiber and fat.

Seafood like mussels, clams, smoked fish, and fish with high mercury levels are not recommended when you have diarrhea due to higher bacteria risk, high fiber or high purine content.

Always ensure seafood is fully cooked through before eating. Cooked seafood can generally be eaten for 2-3 days refrigerated but should not sit out for more than 2 hours.

Foods to Avoid with Diarrhea

While the BRAT diet focuses on binding, low-fiber foods, there are many foods that can worsen diarrhea symptoms. It’s best to avoid:

• Raw fruits and vegetables – High insoluble fiber content
• Whole grains – High insoluble fiber content
• Beans, lentils, peas – High insoluble fiber content
• Nuts and seeds – High insoluble fiber content
• Fried and greasy foods – Hard to digest
• Spicy foods – Can irritate GI tract
• Caffeinated drinks – Stimulant laxative effect
• Alcohol – Irritates stomach and intestinal lining
• Sugary foods and drinks – Can worsen diarrhea
• High fat dairy – Lactose and fat hard to digest
• Artificial sweeteners – Laxative effect

Some people also find it helpful to avoid or limit high FODMAP foods during diarrhea episodes. FODMAPs are certain carbohydrates that may ferment in the gut and contribute to digestive issues like diarrhea, gas, and bloating. High FODMAP foods to be cautious with include:

• Fructose – Fruit, high fructose corn syrup, honey
• Lactose – Dairy products
• Fructans – Wheat, garlic, onion
• Galactans – Legumes, lentils
• Polyols – Stone fruits, xylitol, sorbitol

When to See a Doctor

Diarrhea often resolves on its own within 1-2 days. However, you should seek medical care if you experience:

• Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days with no improvement
• Severe pain or cramping
• Dehydration symptoms like excessive thirst, dry mouth, little to no urination
• Fever over 102°F (38.9°C)
• Bloody or black stool
• Signs of dehydration in infants and children – sunken eyes, lack of tears, dry mouth, no wet diapers for 3+ hours

Seeking prompt medical treatment is crucial if you are experiencing severe dehydration or symptoms of a more serious condition. Your doctor can determine the cause of your diarrhea and provide appropriate treatment.

Diarrhea is never fun to deal with. What you eat can significantly help manage your diarrhea symptoms. In general, you want to stick to binding, low-fiber, bland foods that are easy on