Kamil Perry
Diarrhea is an unpleasant but common condition that can be caused by a variety of factors, including contaminated food, viruses, and antibiotics. While it often resolves on its own, certain foods and drinks can worsen diarrhea and prolong the discomfort. One of the food groups that are often implicated in aggravating diarrhea is dairy products, including cheese. This is because cheese contains lactose, a sugar that can be difficult for some people to digest, especially when they are experiencing diarrhea. In this article, we will explore the relationship between cheese and diarrhea, offering insights into how cheese may impact digestive health and providing guidance on managing diarrhea effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese bad if you have diarrhea | Yes, cheese could cause diarrhea in some circumstances, especially if you have certain health conditions. |
| Reasons | Dairy intolerance, sensitivity, or allergy; temporary sensitivity; lactose malabsorption; type of cheese; quantity consumed |
| Alternatives | Low-lactose cheese; non-dairy cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Lactose intolerance and cheese
Diarrhea can be caused by various factors, such as contaminated food, viruses, or medication. Certain foods and drinks, including dairy products, can worsen diarrhea. If you have diarrhea, it is generally recommended to limit or cut out milk and other dairy products, especially if they are making your symptoms worse.
Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body is unable to fully digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. This can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. However, most people with lactose intolerance can still tolerate cheese, especially harder, matured cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, and feta. These cheeses are lower in lactose or contain no lactose at all. Other dairy products, such as butter, cream, and yogurt, also contain very low levels of lactose and are usually well-tolerated by those with lactose intolerance.
It is important to note that lactose intolerance varies from person to person, and some individuals may be more sensitive to lactose in cheese than others. Aged, hard cheeses like Swiss, parmesan, and cheddars are lower in lactose, while softer, creamier cheeses like ricotta and cream cheese are higher in lactose. Fresh cheeses, such as cottage cheese and ricotta, have very low levels of lactose and are typically well-tolerated in small amounts.
If you suspect you have lactose intolerance, it is not necessary to completely eliminate dairy from your diet. Dairy foods are rich sources of nutrients, especially calcium. Instead, you can try gradually introducing small amounts of cheese and other dairy products to determine your tolerance level. Additionally, lactose-free cheese and dairy-free cheese alternatives are available for those who want to avoid lactose completely.
In summary, while cheese and other dairy products may be limited or avoided during bouts of diarrhea, most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate certain types of cheese. It is important to listen to your body and adjust your diet accordingly, as the tolerance level varies from person to person.
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Diarrhea-causing foods
Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, including contaminated food, viruses, antibiotics, and certain foods. While experiencing diarrhea, it is advisable to avoid greasy, fried, and fatty foods, as well as specific fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes that can cause gas and bloating. Examples of gas-causing foods to avoid include broccoli, peppers, beans, peas, berries, prunes, chickpeas, leafy greens, and corn. Alcohol, carbonated drinks, and caffeine can also aggravate diarrhea by irritating the digestive tract, causing inflammation, and disrupting the bacterial balance in the gut.
Dairy products, including cheese, are often implicated in worsening diarrhea. This is particularly true for individuals with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. Lactose, a sugar found in dairy, can be difficult to digest for people with diarrhea because the condition can deplete the enzyme lactase, which is responsible for lactose digestion. As a result, consuming lactose can lead to diarrhea, gas, nausea, and bloating. Softer cheeses like ricotta, cottage cheese, and American cheese tend to have higher lactose content and are more likely to trigger diarrhea.
However, not everyone experiences digestive issues with cheese, and individual tolerance varies. To prevent diarrhea, opting for cheeses lower in lactose may be advisable. Additionally, consuming cheese in moderation and pairing it with fiber-rich foods can help alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms. It is also important to consider other factors influencing digestion, such as hydration, physical activity, and stress levels.
If diarrhea persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional. They can advise on dietary modifications, medications, or treatments to address the condition effectively.
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Diarrhea-friendly foods
Dairy products, such as cheese, are best avoided when experiencing diarrhea. This is because lactose, the sugar found in dairy products, can be difficult to digest and may aggravate diarrhea. If your diarrhea is severe, you may need to stop consuming dairy products for a few days.
- Bananas
- Boiled potatoes
- Plain rice
- Applesauce
- Toast
- Skinless chicken breast
- Lean, fat-free cuts of turkey, beef, pork, and fish
- Soft-cooked or scrambled eggs
- Low-fat or vegan yogurt
- Clear broths
- Plain pasta
- Saltines or crackers
- Pancakes and waffles made with white flour
- Cornbread
- Vegetables that are easily digested, such as zucchini, carrots, green beans, mushrooms, beets, asparagus tips, and peeled zucchini
It is recommended to eat bland, simple, and easily digestible foods when experiencing diarrhea. These foods are less likely to irritate the digestive system and can help speed up recovery. It is also important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids to replenish lost minerals and electrolytes.
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Alcohol and diarrhea
Alcohol can negatively impact the digestive system and cause diarrhea. It can irritate the intestines, causing inflammation and speeding up digestion. Alcohol can also affect the water absorption process, acting as a laxative and causing excess water in the gut, which leads to loose stools and diarrhea.
Additionally, alcohol can cause intestinal malfunction by killing off some bacteria and allowing others to grow rapidly, upsetting the balance of "good" and "bad" bacteria in the gut. This can be particularly problematic for people with bowel diseases, gluten intolerance, or a sensitive digestive tract. Alcohol can also worsen diarrhea for those with lactose intolerance, as dairy products can be harder to digest when the body is processing alcohol.
The type of alcohol consumed may also play a role. Beer, for example, contains more carbohydrates than other alcoholic beverages, and the body may struggle to break down these extra carbs while processing alcohol. Wine may cause diarrhea in those with a sensitivity or allergy to tannins, and mixed drinks with high sugar content can worsen diarrhea.
To reduce the likelihood of alcohol-induced diarrhea, it is recommended to eat before drinking, as food in the stomach slows the absorption of alcohol. Drinking slowly and alternating alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic drinks, such as water, can also help ease stress on the digestive tract.
If alcohol-induced diarrhea occurs, it typically resolves within 24 hours. Staying hydrated is crucial, as alcohol can be dehydrating. Bland, easily-digested foods such as rice, toast, and crackers can also help prevent further intestinal distress. In cases of severe diarrhea, over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications can be taken to slow down the movement of waste through the colon.
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Allergies and diarrhea
Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, including contaminated food, viruses, antibiotics, and allergies. Allergies can sometimes lead to gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea. When an individual with allergies consumes a substance they are allergic to, it can trigger an immune response, causing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and resulting in diarrhea.
Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome (PFAS) is a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly identifies proteins in certain foods as similar to pollen proteins. For example, if you are allergic to birch pollen, you may experience PFAS when consuming celery, peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, fennel, or apples, which can lead to diarrhea. Similarly, ragweed pollen allergy may cause reactions to bananas, zucchini, melons, or cantaloupe, potentially resulting in diarrhea.
Seasonal allergies can also cause diarrhea due to the release of histamine, which can lead to gastrointestinal upset. Histamine binds to receptors in the gut, causing muscle contractions in the digestive system and resulting in abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
In addition to allergies, lactose intolerance can be a factor in diarrhea. Even if lactose intolerance is not the cause, individuals may develop a temporary sensitivity to dairy products, which can worsen diarrhea. It is recommended to limit or cut out milk and other dairy products if they are aggravating diarrhea or causing gas and bloating.
To manage diarrhea, it is advisable to avoid greasy, spicy, and fatty foods, as well as alcohol and carbonated drinks. Instead, opt for lighter, easily digestible foods such as rice, lean meat, plain yogurt, and well-cooked vegetables like zucchini.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese can be bad if you have diarrhea, especially if you have a dairy intolerance, sensitivity, or allergy. Softer, fresh cheeses such as ricotta, cottage, and American cheeses contain more lactose and are more likely to cause diarrhea. Harder cheeses are generally better tolerated.
It is recommended to avoid greasy, fatty, and fried foods, as well as carbonated beverages, caffeine, and alcohol. Spicy foods and certain fruits, vegetables, and legumes can cause gas, which can be uncomfortable if you already have diarrhea.
It is recommended to eat lighter, easily digestible foods such as rice, lean meat, and well-cooked vegetables like zucchini. Plain, simple foods such as oatmeal, bananas, boiled potatoes, and plain crackers are also good options.
It is important to stay hydrated, so drinking water or unsweetened/lightly sweetened herbal tea is recommended. Alcohol, sodas with high-fructose corn syrup, and drinks containing caffeine should be avoided as they can irritate the digestive system and contribute to dehydration.
