Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stool. For some, diarrhea is mild and will go away within a few days. For others, it may last longer. It can make you lose too much fluid (dehydrated) and feel weak. It can also lead to unhealthy weight loss.
A stomach or intestinal illness is a common cause of diarrhea. Medical treatments, such as antibiotics and some cancer treatments can also cause diarrhea. Many other medicines can also cause diarrhea.
Diarrhea can be unpleasant and disruptive leaving you wondering what foods are safe to eat. Many people love the savory taste of ham but aren’t sure if it will make diarrhea worse. The answer depends on the individual the type of ham, and how it’s prepared.
Understanding Diarrhea
Diarrhea occurs when you pass loose, watery stools more frequently than usual. It’s typically caused by a stomach virus or bacterial infection and often accompanies nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating, and other flu-like symptoms.
Diarrhea results from inflammation and excess fluid in the intestines. It can also be triggered by underlying conditions like IBS, food intolerances, medications and digestive disorders. Mild, short-term diarrhea usually resolves on its own but severe or persistent cases may require medical treatment.
The BRAT Diet for Diarrhea Relief
When diarrhea strikes, doctors often recommend the BRAT diet to help calm the digestive tract. BRAT stands for:
- Bananas
- Rice
- Applesauce
- Toast
These bland, low-fiber foods are binding and easy to digest The starch in bananas and rice soaks up excess fluid in the intestines, while toast and applesauce provide nutrients without overtaxing your system.
Is Ham OK to Eat With Diarrhea?
In moderation, most people can tolerate lean ham during occasional bouts of diarrhea. It provides protein, vitamins, and minerals without too much fat or fiber. However, some preparation tips can make ham easier on your stomach:
- Choose lean cuts like ham steak over fatty options like ham hocks.
- Opt for low-sodium ham when possible.
- Limit portions to 2-3 oz diced or sliced ham.
- Avoid ham with heavy glazes, sauces, or seasonings.
- Rinse cured ham to reduce sodium.
- Pair ham with bananas, rice, toast, or applesauce.
Cases to Avoid Ham
While small portions of lean ham are often fine, avoid it completely if:
- Your diarrhea is severe or bloody
- You have nausea, vomiting, fever, or dehydration
- You have a weakened immune system
- You’ve eaten spoiled or questionable ham
When very ill, stick to the BRAT diet until diarrhea improves. Then reintroduce bland proteins like eggs and chicken before venturing back to ham.
Choosing the Best Ham for Diarrhea
To minimize gut irritation, look for ham that is:
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Lean – Opt for 95% fat-free ham or ham steak over higher fat varieties.
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Low-sodium – Limit added salt by choosing low-sodium ham when possible.
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Nitrite-free – Some people are sensitive to these added curing agents.
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High-quality – Select ham that looks and smells fresh. Avoid old or suspicious deli meat.
Shopping for ham that is fresh, unprocessed, and low in fat allows you to get nutrition without taxing your digestive system further.
Safe Ways to Prepare and Serve Ham
Follow these tips to prepare ham in a gut-friendly way:
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Stick to small portions of 2-3 oz ham.
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Dice or slice ham into bite-sized pieces to aid digestion.
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Rinse cured ham under running water before eating to remove excess sodium.
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Avoid high-fat sauces, glazes, or seasonings that may irritate your stomach.
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Pair ham with bananas, white rice, applesauce, or dry toast.
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Stay hydrated with water, herbal tea, or electrolyte drinks while eating.
Listening to Your Body
When sick with diarrhea, proceed cautiously with ham and listen to your body. While most people can handle small amounts, everyone has different tolerances. Keep ham portions modest and discontinue it if you notice worsened diarrhea or discomfort.
Focus on hydration and the BRAT diet until the diarrhea passes. Then slowly reintroduce bland proteins before adding back ham in moderation. With some care, you can likely satisfy your ham cravings during occasional bouts. Just take it easy on your sensitive stomach.
How to Relieve Diarrhea
These things may help you feel better if you have diarrhea:
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of clear fluids every day. Water is best.
- To get rid of loose stools, you should drink at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water.
- Instead of three big meals, eat several small ones throughout the day.
- Eat some salty things, like soup, pretzels, and sports drinks.
- Eat some foods that are high in potassium, like potatoes, bananas, and fruit juices.
To improve your nutrition, talk to your doctor about whether you should take a multivitamin or drink sports drinks. Also ask about taking a fiber supplement, such as Metamucil, to add bulk to your stools.
Your provider may also recommend a medicine to slow down your diarrhea. Take this medicine as you have been told to take it.
Eating When you Have Diarrhea
You can bake or broil beef, pork, chicken, fish, or turkey. Cooked eggs are also OK. Use low-fat milk, cheese, or yogurt.
You might have to stop eating or drinking dairy for a few days if you have very bad diarrhea.
Eat bread products made from refined, white flour. Pasta, white rice, and cereals such as cream of wheat, farina, oatmeal, and cornflakes are OK. You may also try pancakes and waffles made with white flour, and cornbread. But dont add too much honey or syrup.
You should eat vegetables, including carrots, green beans, mushrooms, beets, asparagus tips, acorn squash, and peeled zucchini. Cook them first. Baked potatoes are OK. In general, removing seeds and skins is best.
You can include desserts and snacks such as fruit-flavored gelatin, fruit-flavored ice pops, cakes, cookies, or sherbet.
9 FOODS To Bring You Back To Life When You Have Diarrhea
FAQ
Can you eat ham when you have Diarrhoea?
What meats are OK for diarrhea?
What sandwich can I eat with diarrhea?
Can you eat a lot if you have acute diarrhea?
Most likely, you aren’t going to feel like eating much, especially if you have stomach cramping or pain. With acute diarrhea, the key is getting over whatever caused the problem in the first place, which usually means waiting things out. In this case, “food isn’t the solution,” says Katz. Once you are ready to try food, go easy.
Can you have food poisoning without diarrhea?
Food poisoning’s main signs are nausea and vomiting. Vomiting is a protective mechanism by which the body protects the upper gut. Diarrhea or loose stools are usually present in food poisoning or infections of the gut, but this is not the primary symptom of the disease in food poisoning cases.
Can fermented foods help treat diarrhea?
For example, a 2022 review in Nutrition and Health suggests that fermented foods, which contain probiotics, seem to help treat diarrhea by reducing its severity and duration. Probiotics are sometimes used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other chronic digestive conditions.
Can you eat dairy if you have diarrhea?
You should avoid most dairy products if you have diarrhea. Even if you don’t have lactose intolerance, you may still have trouble digesting them. That is because dairy products contain a sugar called lactose that your body digests with an enzyme called lactase.