11 foods to eat if you can't stop running to the bathroom

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Picture this: You're in the middle of shopping for your perfect wedding dress, admiring the look and feel of a pristine white outfit you can barely afford when, all of a sudden, the feeling strikes. You try to find a bathroom but, instead find yourself in the middle of the street kneeling down in that pretty white dress, suffering from a case of diarrhea.

OK, fine, that's the first cinematic movie scene that comes to mind when talking about this particular tummy trouble (seriously, "Bridesmaids" is the best), but having diarrhea is something everyone's experienced. Most people experience diarrhea a few times a year, but for people with chronic illnesses like Crohn's Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, diarrhea can happen on a more regular basis.

Though nobody wants to deal with these symptoms, there are some things that you can eat that may help you get through it more easily.

1. Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast

The best (and most recommended) diet to follow when experiencing diarrhea is the BRAT diet. This curiously named food plan stands for: Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Notice a trend? These bland foods are low-fiber, which will help firm your stool and calm your stomach.

Meanwhile, complex foods and foods with tons of spices can irritate your intestines, which may cause your diarrhea to worsen. Read: eat bland or risk pooping fiery liquid for the rest of eternity! Well ... not exactly ... but you get the point.

It should be noted that long-term use of the BRAT diet is not recommended, as these foods lack the main nutrients your body needs to function. Tread lightly, and ease yourself back onto more complex foods when recovering from an episode of diarrhea.

2. Hot cereal, potatoes, and crackers

Hot cereals like oatmeal, peeled and boiled potatoes, and plain crackers can also help relieve any uncomfortable diarrhea symptoms you may be experiencing.

3. Chicken soup

Portion control expert Dr. Lisa Young told INSIDER that she recommends people experiencing diarrhea consume chicken soup because it "is great to replenish the fluids lost." She notes that people with diarrhea should avoid salads and raw veggies, as these can cause intestinal gas and further irritate your stomach so a soup is a great way to get some nutrients.

See Also:

• 10 foods dietitians say you should avoid when you're sick
• 15 small diet tweaks you can make every day to lose weight
• 7 foods Americans eat that French people find disgusting