Are Potatoes Good for Diarrhea?

Yes, plain, well-cooked potatoes can be a reasonable food during diarrhea if you tolerate them, because their starch provides easily digested energy without much fat. There is no good evidence that ordinary potatoes shorten diarrhea, and replacing lost fluids and electrolytes is more important. Potatoes are one of several best foods for diarrhea that may be easier to manage while you recover.

When are potatoes a good choice for diarrhea?

Potatoes may be a good choice when you feel able to eat and want a mild, filling food. Boiled or baked potatoes without rich toppings are generally a better choice than fried potatoes or potatoes served with a lot of butter, cream or cheese.

You do not have to eat potatoes if they make you uncomfortable. Appetite and tolerance vary, so start with a few bites and see how you feel. Eating only potatoes is not necessary; return to a varied diet as your appetite and tolerance allow.

How might potatoes help during diarrhea?

Potatoes supply carbohydrates for energy. Cooking softens them, and peeling removes some fiber, which may make them easier for some people to tolerate while stools are loose. Neither cooking nor peeling makes potatoes a medicine for diarrhea.

Potatoes also contain potassium, an electrolyte the body needs. However, eating potatoes does not reliably replace the water and electrolytes lost through diarrhea. An oral rehydration solution can replace both; mix a commercial product with the exact amount of clean water stated on its label. The best drinks for diarrhea include options for staying hydrated.

If you have been told to limit fluids or potassium because of kidney disease or another condition, ask a healthcare professional how to rehydrate safely. Do not assume that extra potatoes or fluids are right for you.

What does the evidence say about potatoes and diarrhea?

Evidence that ordinary potatoes treat or shorten diarrhea is lacking. Their practical role is to provide food that many people can tolerate, not to address the cause of diarrhea.

One study of genetically modified potatoes in mice investigated whether potatoes could deliver a rotavirus vaccine. The mice developed an immune response, but the study did not test ordinary potatoes as a diarrhea treatment in people. Its findings do not show that eating potatoes prevents or treats diarrhea.

How should you prepare potatoes during diarrhea?

Choose plain potatoes and cook them until soft. Peeling them may be worth trying if the skins seem difficult to tolerate. Avoid frying and use little or no added fat; rich toppings can make symptoms worse for some people.

Plain boiled potatoes

Ingredients

• 150 g potatoes, about 1 cup when peeled and diced
• 480 mL water, about 2 cups, or enough to cover

Steps

1. Wash, peel and dice the potatoes.
2. Place the potatoes and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
3. Cook until the potatoes are soft enough to pierce easily with a fork.
4. Drain, let cool enough to eat, and serve plain.

Start with a few bites rather than forcing a full serving. If the potatoes are comfortable to eat, have more as your appetite allows. Continue drinking fluids separately; a serving of potatoes is not a substitute for rehydration.

There is no need to keep eating a restricted diet once you can tolerate your usual foods. If dairy toppings seem to worsen symptoms, leave them off while diarrhea continues.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Seek urgent medical care for blood or black, tarry stools, severe abdominal pain, a high fever, inability to keep fluids down, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine or marked dizziness. Confusion, fainting, or a child who is difficult to wake warrants emergency care.

Adults should seek medical advice if diarrhea lasts more than 2 days; contact a child's clinician if it lasts more than 1 day. Do not wait for those time limits if symptoms are severe or dehydration is suspected. Contact a clinician promptly about diarrhea in an infant, who can become dehydrated quickly.

Children should continue breastfeeding or their usual formula; do not dilute formula. Ask a pediatrician about oral rehydration, particularly if the child is drinking poorly.

Contact a healthcare professional early if you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, kidney disease or diabetes, or develop diarrhea while taking antibiotics. Do not stop prescribed medication without speaking to the prescriber.