PREVENTING DIARRHEA IN SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME

In Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS), foods can move too quickly in the GI tract and cause weight loss and diarrhea. While increasing overall daily calories can help prevent weight loss, avoiding certain foods can help prevent diarrhea.

Foods to Avoid to Prevent Diarrhea in SBS:

Foods high in sugar tend to cause diarrhea and loose stools. In limiting or completely eliminating these foods from the diet, diarrheal episodes should be reduced. These include:

• Juices
• Sports drinks and sodas
• Sugary desserts
• Candy
• Fruits (other than bananas)
• Milk and soft cheeses (almost everyone with short bowel syndrome is lactose intolerant)
• Sugar-free foods that have xylitol, sorbitol or other sugar alcohols 

For those with only mild symptoms, fruit can be eaten in small to moderate amounts as long as there isn't any  bloating, gas, or diarrhea.  

Sweeteners, especially natural ones, can be used in small amounts. Milk may or may not be well tolerated in SBS due to the sugar naturally found in milk called lactose. If milk can no longer be tolerated due to SBS, you can opt for lactose free milk, or alternative, plant-based milk which is dairy free.