Certain foods may cause diarrhea and other digestive symptoms, especially if you have a food intolerance. Common causes can include dairy, spicy food, and greasy food.

In most cases, diarrhea is caused by a virus or bacteria that your body is trying to flush out. However, eating specific foods can also trigger a bout of diarrhea.

The foods that trigger diarrhea differ among people, but common culprits include dairy, spicy foods, and certain groups of vegetables.

This article looks at 10 foods that commonly cause diarrhea, the best treatments, and when to see a doctor.

The types of food that trigger diarrhea differ among people. If you have a food intolerance, eating that specific food can cause diarrhea or loose stool.

Dairy and gluten are common food intolerances.

Food intolerances are often the cause of chronic diarrhea. Other symptoms of food intolerance include stomach cramps or pain, bloating, and gas.

A food intolerance is different from a food allergy. Food allergies can also cause diarrhea, along with hives, itchy skin, congestion, and throat tightening.

Malabsorption can also cause diarrhea. This is when the small intestine is less able to absorb nutrients from the food you eat. Some food intolerances can cause malabsorption.

That said, certain foods can cause diarrhea even in people with no food intolerances. These are often foods that contain large amounts of spices, artificial ingredients, oils, or colonic stimulants.

Summary

Various foods can cause diarrhea, even in people without food intolerances. The specific triggers vary among individuals.

Spicy foods are among the most common causes of food-induced diarrhea. This is especially likely with strong spices that your body isn’t used to.

Chili peppers and curry blends are common culprits. A chemical called capsaicin gives chili peppers their heat.

Research shows that while capsaicin can have various health benefits, such as treating pain and arthritis, it is also a potent irritant. Capsaicin can irritate the stomach lining during digestion.

When consumed in large amounts, capsaicin can cause the following symptoms:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • abdominal pain
  • burning diarrhea

If spicy foods are causing diarrhea, try adding a kick to your food with spices that don’t contain capsaicin, such as mustard powder or ground paprika. They tend to be milder on the stomach.

Summary

The capsaicin in chili peppers can irritate the digestive system. This can cause burning diarrhea and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Sugar substitutes include artificial sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose) and sugar alcohols (e.g., mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol).

Some sugar substitutes can upset the digestive system. In fact, some foods that contain them have a label warning about their potential laxative effect.

Eating or drinking sugar alcohols, in particular, can have a laxative effect, inducing diarrhea and gas.

If you suspect that sugar substitutes are causing diarrhea, try cutting back. Common foods that contain artificial sweeteners include:

  • chewing gum
  • sugar-free candies and desserts
  • diet sodas
  • other diet drinks
  • reduced-sugar cereals
  • low-sugar condiments, like coffee creamer and ketchup
  • some toothpastes and mouthwashes
Summary

Sugar substitutes called sugar alcohols can have a laxative effect. Check the ingredients label and look for a laxative warning.

If you find that you have loose stool after drinking milk or eating dairy products, you may have lactose intolerance.

Many people don’t know they have lactose intolerance. It tends to run in families and can develop later in life.

Lactose intolerance means that your body doesn’t have the enzymes to break down certain sugars in dairy.

Instead of breaking it down, your body disposes of these sugars very quickly, often in the form of diarrhea.

There are plenty of substitutes for cow’s milk on the market, including:

  • lactose-free dairy milk
  • oat milk
  • almond milk
  • soy milk
  • cashew milk
Summary

Lactose intolerance is a common cause of chronic diarrhea. If you have this condition, avoiding dairy products should clear up diarrhea.

The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant. It makes you feel mentally alert, and it also stimulates your digestive system. Many people have a bowel movement very soon after a cup of coffee.

According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), drinking 2–3 cups of coffee or tea in a day can often cause diarrhea.

Many people also add other digestive stimulants to their coffee, such as milk, sugar substitutes, or creamers, which increases the beverage’s laxative effect.

For some people, even decaffeinated coffee can stimulate the gut because of other chemicals present in coffee.

Using dairy substitutes, such as oat milk or a coconut creamer, can reduce the laxative effects of coffee. Otherwise, if you think coffee is causing diarrhea, try switching to green tea or another hot beverage.

Summary

Coffee contains caffeine, which stimulates bowel movements. Adding milk, creamer, and sugar substitutes can increase its laxative effect.

Aside from coffee, other foods and drinks that contain caffeine can cause diarrhea or loose stool.

Caffeine naturally occurs in chocolate, so any chocolate-flavored products could contain hidden caffeine.

Common foods and drinks that contain caffeine include:

  • cola and other sodas
  • black tea
  • green tea
  • energy drinks
  • hot cocoa
  • chocolate and chocolate-flavored products
Summary

Caffeine stimulates the digestive system. Chocolate is a common hidden source of caffeine.

Fructose is a natural sugar found in fruit. Eaten in excess, fructose can have a laxative effect.

Eating large amounts of fruit can cause diarrhea because this means taking in high levels of fructose.

Fructose is also found in:

  • candies
  • soft drinks
  • preservatives

Some people find that they have looser bowel movements when fresh fruit and vegetables are more readily available in the summer months.

Summary

Eating large amounts of fruit, or other high-fructose foods, can cause diarrhea.

Both garlic and onion contain juices that, when broken down by the acid in your stomach, can release gases and irritate the bowels.

Garlic and onions are fructans, which is a carbohydrate the body finds it difficult to digest. They also contain insoluble fiber, which can make foods move through the digestive system faster.

They are also high-FODMAP foods, which is a group of carbohydrates that can cause diarrhea in some people. Sugar alcohols, discussed earlier in this article, are another high-FODMAP food that can cause diarrhea.

If you want to replace garlic and onions in your diet, try experimenting with celery or fennel. These can give your food a similar taste, but with less risk of diarrhea and gas.

Summary

Garlic and onions are notoriously difficult to digest, causing gas and diarrhea.

Broccoli and cauliflower are cruciferous vegetables. They’re rich in nutrients and bulk vegetable fiber.

These vegetables have plenty of health benefits, but the digestive tract can have trouble processing them.

If you aren’t used to eating large amounts of fiber, a big serving can lead to constipation, gas, or diarrhea. Try starting with small portions and increasing your fiber intake slowly.

A high fiber diet can help reduce diarrhea and has benefits for your digestive and heart health. Read about the benefits of dietary fiber here.

Summary

Cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli and cauliflower, are difficult for the body to break down. Eating them has health benefits, but they can cause digestive discomfort.

Fatty, greasy, or fried foods contain saturated fats and trans fats. These foods can cause diarrhea or make the symptoms worse. This is because the body has trouble breaking them down.

These foods often contain little nutritional value, so the body has little to extract from them. They tend to pass through the body and exit quickly.

Common foods high in saturated fats include:

  • french fries
  • fried chicken
  • burgers and bacon

Instead, try choosing grilled chicken, turkey burgers, or vegetarian options when looking to satisfy fast food cravings.

Summary

Fatty, greasy, or fried foods contain unhealthful fats that are difficult to digest.

Drinking alcohol can lead to loose stool the following day. This is especially true when drinking beer or wine.

Try cutting out alcohol and seeing if the diarrhea goes away. If it does, consider reducing your alcohol intake to reduce this digestive discomfort.

Summary

Drinking alcohol can lead to diarrhea the next day.

When you have diarrhea, remember to drink plenty of water and prevent dehydration. Your body is losing more water than usual through watery stool.

The amount of water you need each day varies based on your sex, age, activity level, and build, so there are no official guidelines, but many sources suggest 8 or more 8-ounce glasses per day. Read more here.

Eating certain foods can also help ease diarrhea. The following diets can help:

  • the BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast
  • a bland diet that includes soft, low fiber foods like low fat dairy, processed grains, and lean protein
  • a low fiber diet

Potassium-rich bananas are gentle on the stomach lining and help you absorb water and electrolytes you might otherwise lose through waste.

A caffeine-free, herbal tea with ginger or peppermint might also calm your bowels.

If you need to take over-the-counter (OTC) medication, plenty of choices are available.

Loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) are the most common active ingredients in medications that help relieve diarrhea. However, don’t take OTC medications for diarrhea if your symptoms also include fever or blood in your stool.

Read more about diarrhea remedies here.

Summary

You can usually treat diarrhea at home with plenty of water and low fiber foods. Medications are also available.

Shop for diarrhea treatment

Antidiarrheal medications and home remedies are available over the counter at your local health stores and online.

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If you have frequent or chronic diarrhea, if might help to see a doctor. They can help you figure out if it’s linked with a food intolerance or a digestive system disorder.

Frequent diarrhea can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome or another gastrointestinal issue that could be treated.

See a doctor if you notice the following:

  • frequent or chronic diarrhea
  • severe abdominal pain or cramping
  • serious symptoms of dehydration
  • stool that contains blood or pus

If you aren’t sure what foods are causing diarrhea or other digestive symptoms, you might benefit from trying an elimination diet.

To do this, you eliminate certain foods to see if your symptoms improve. This helps you work out how different foods are affecting your body.

Summary

If you have chronic or severe diarrhea, or other worrying symptoms, see a doctor for advice about its causes and treatments.

Many common foods can cause diarrhea. This may be because of a food intolerance, or because the food irritates the digestive tract.

Common foods that cause diarrhea include spicy foods, fried or greasy foods, dairy, and sugar substitutes.

If you suspect that a certain food is causing diarrhea, try eliminating it from the diet to see if your digestive symptoms clear up.