10 Foods to Avoid When You Have Diarrhea

The main causes of diarrhea are improper diet and a weak digestive system. So, in daily food, which ones can cause or worsen diarrhea?

1. Sesame, also known as Hu Ma

It contains rich fatty oil and has a lubricating effect on the intestines. The "Ben Cong Xin" says: "Taking Hu Ma makes the intestines slippery."

The "Ben Qiu Zhen" also states: "For those with a deficiency in the lower body and loose stools, ... it should be avoided." Therefore, those with diarrhea should especially avoid eating it.

Braised Duck with Mushrooms

2. Duck

Duck is a light and nourishing food that can nourish yin and the stomach, but it is not suitable for people with diarrhea. As stated in the "Sui Xi Ju Yin Shi Pu": "Eating too much can cause qi stagnation, slippery intestines; those with yang deficiency, weak spleen, unresolved external pathogens, diarrhea, or intestinal bleeding should all avoid it." Regardless of the type of diarrhea, it should be avoided.

3. Crab

It is a very cooling food and not suitable for anyone with diarrhea. The "Ben Jing Shu" points out: "... For those with a cold and slippery spleen and stomach, it should not be taken."

The "Sui Xi Ju Yin Shi Pu" also says: "Those with deficient middle qi and cold, unresolved external pathogens, phlegm, cough, and diarrhea should all avoid it." Especially, it should not be eaten with persimmons, otherwise it can cause unstoppable diarrhea. Be very cautious.

Lily and Pear Soup

4. Pear

Pears are cool in nature and sweet with a slightly sour taste. The "Ben Tong Xuan" says: "Raw ones clear the heat of the six fu-organs, while cooked ones nourish the yin of the five zang-organs." Therefore, for those with cold-dampness (wind-cold) type diarrhea, spleen deficiency type diarrhea, and yang deficiency type diarrhea, raw pears should not be eaten.

As the "Ben Jing Shu" says: "... For those with spleen diarrhea, abdominal pain due to cold accumulation, ... and cold vomiting in the stomach, it should all be avoided."

5. Banana

Bananas are cold in nature and sweet. They both clear heat and lubricate the intestines, so those with cold-dampness diarrhea, spleen deficiency diarrhea, and yang deficiency type diarrhea should not eat them. Eating them will also affect the function of the digestive system, because the sugar in bananas ferments in the stomach, worsening diarrhea and loose stools.

Persimmon Cake

6. Persimmon

Persimmons are cold in nature and not suitable for anyone with diarrhea, and especially not to be eaten with crab. The "Ben Tu Jing" has long warned: "When eating persimmons, one must not eat them with crab, as it causes severe abdominal pain and diarrhea."

The reason is that both persimmons and crabs are cold in nature. Eating them together can easily cause the protein in the crab to coagulate and form clumps that accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms like "severe abdominal pain and diarrhea."

7. Bitter Melon

Bitter melon is cold in nature, with a bitter and sweet taste. It can damage the qi of the spleen and stomach. For those with spleen deficiency type diarrhea, cold-dampness type diarrhea, and yang deficiency type diarrhea, it should be avoided.

As stated in the "Dian Nan Ben Cao": "For those with a weak and cold spleen and stomach, eating it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain."

Garlic Mashed Spinach with Egg

8. Spinach

Spinach is cool in nature and sweet, and can lubricate the intestines and promote bowel movements. Therefore, it is suitable for those with constipation but should be avoided by those with diarrhea.

The "Ben Jing Feng Yuan" once pointed out: "All vegetables can relax the intestines, but spinach is especially cold and slippery." Cold, slippery, and lubricating foods, if eaten in excess, can more easily cause diarrhea and loose stools.

9. Honey

Honey: It has a lubricating effect on the intestines. Both acute and chronic diarrhea sufferers should avoid it.

The "Ben Jing Shu" has long pointed out: "Raw honey is cold and slippery, can cause diarrhea, and is not suitable for those with deficient qi in the large intestine or undigested food in the stool."

Braised Eggplant

10. Eggplant

Eggplant is cool in nature. For those with chronic, deficient, and cold type diarrhea and loose stools, it must not be eaten in excess.

As stated in the "Ben Qiu Zhen": "Eggplant is sweet in taste and cold in nature, its texture is slippery and promoting; taking it often risks moving qi, causing abdominal pain, and diarrhea." The "Sui Xi Ju Yin Shi Pu" is even more explicit in its warning: "Those with loose stools should avoid it."