What should I eat if I have diarrhoea during my treatment?

• It is important that you drink plenty of extra fluids to replace what is lost to prevent dehydration. You may find reducing lactose from milk and dairy products helpful. Alternatives sources of calcium such as rice and soya milk do not contain lactose.
• Potassium is essential for the heart to function effectively, and is lost during episodes of diarrhoea and vomiting. Eat foods rich in potassium such as bananas, peaches, potatoes, fish and chicken to replace the potassium lost during treatment as potassium is lost during treatment.
• Reduce insoluble fibre intake, especially dried beans, lentils and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. Other foods that contain insoluble fibre include vegetables, whole wheat breads and cereals, skins, fruit, seeds and nuts.
• Eat more soluble fibre. Soluble fibre helps to absorb the excess water and bulk the stool, allowing it to stay in the intestine for longer. White rice and pasta, psyllium husk[1], apple, barley and oat bran are good sources of soluble fibre.
• Reduce caffeine from coffee, tea and soft drinks such as colas. Caffeine can cause the gut to speed up and result in more bowel movements.
• Rice water… boil two handfuls of rice with one teaspoon of salt in two litres of water for 20 minutes. Strain and add a dessertspoon of glucose powder, honey or table sugar.
• Avoid high fat, greasy, and high sugar foods as well as those sweetened with sorbitol as these may make diarrhoea worse.
• Take plenty of fluids, such as jelly, broths and clear soups between meals, rather than with meals. You may find you tolerate room-temperature fluids better, particularly if you have chemotherapy induced mouth ulcers..
• Eat yoghurt to enhance the helpful bacteria in your gut. If you have a problem with dairy products acidophilus can be taken in pill form. If your CD4 count is under 50 this may not be advisable.