Can you eat chocolate with diarrhea?

The holidays are around the corner, which means it’s time to indulge in some of our favorite treats. But what if you’re dealing with diarrhea? Uh-oh! Does that mean you have to skip out on your beloved chocolates? Worry not, my friend! This ultimate survival guide has all the answers.

What is Diarrhea?

Before we dive into this hot mess (See what I did there?), let’s first understand what diarrhea really is. It’s a digestive condition where one experiences watery and loose stool frequently throughout the day. It can last for several days and can cause severe dehydration.

Why Does Diarrhea Occur?

Several factors trigger diarrhea, including:

  • Stomach infections
  • Viruses
  • Food sensitivity/Allergy
  • Medications
  • Eating too much sugar or caffeine

Suddenly having an “urgent” bathroom visit during normal daily activity is no picnic!

Who Suffers From It More Than Anyone Else?

Well, children under five years old are believed to suffer more from acute diarrheal diseases than any other age group; although anyone irrespective of their ages can catch it due to poor hygiene habits or contaminated food consumed without proper preparation.

But guess what’s just as bad as getting a case of diarrhea – missing out on eating chocolate (Gasp!!)

Chocolate lovers beware! That rich cocoa buttery goodness might not be serving you well when dealing with this gastrointestinal nightmare. Here’s why:

  1. Chocolates contain Caffeine – A stimulant that increases bowel movements leading further aggravation (2).
  2. Excessive Sugar levels in chocolates worsen symptoms and leads toward flatulence.
  3. Stimulants present such as Theo-bromin promotes muscle relaxation worsening your gut issues.

So What Can We Eat Instead?

We don’t have to throw in the towel and wave goodbye to all food dishes loaded with goodness. Afterall who knows better than us that restraining from our beloved treats result in an unmanageable craving!

But there are still food alternatives we can consume, without risking of disturbing the fragile biological balance within our intestines:

  1. Bland Foods
  2. Probiotics
  3. Broth-based soups
  4. Boiled vegetables
  5. Rice

When You Do Decide To Eat Chocolate During Diarrhea

If you must pitch your tent on team chocolate during diarrhea, then it’s recommended to follow these key tips:

  • Go for a smaller serving size.
  • Dark chocolate instead of milk? (less sugar)
  • Avoid chocolates containing nuts or nut butter.
  • Don’t eat it alongside other trigger foods such as spicy food or oily meals.
  • Always remain mindful about how much sweets one should consume

Let’s Not Forget Preventative Measures!

Prevention is always better than cure! Some great changes tweaked towards your diet can go a long way :

1) Consume adequate amounts of water throughout your day(preferably 8 glasses). This helps maintain hydration levels and prevent dehydration as well as promote regular bowel activity.

2) Switch up what you’ve been eating! Try consuming more fiber-rich foods like broccoli, legumes etc but start gradually improving (too rapid increase can actually worsen symptoms). fibers assist digestion concentration promoting bowl movement & prevents constipation/diarrhea problems(3)

3) Reduce dairy products like cheese / ice cream – Anybody lactose intolerant here 👋 ?

That feeling of bloatedness after spooning out fresh creamy vanilla atop waffles isn’t normal… It’s possible that lactose intolerance might be causing stomach cramps/Bloating problems while increasing variety could get confined due to repeat digestive suffering.

As much as we all love chocolates, it’s best to keep our distance from food items that can aggravate diarrhea symptoms. It’s wise to know what exactly triggers your diarrhea before taking any step ahead (as only an expert can trace the cause). But if losing chocolate means losing one’s mind too then there is no harm in enjoying small servings of dark chocolate only during this tiring time . Take care of yourself and always remember: “where there is a will, there’s always some way ”!

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