Is Salmon OK to Eat When You Have Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is never fun to deal with. The uncomfortable symptoms and frequent trips to the bathroom can really disrupt your day. When diarrhea strikes, one of the most common questions is what you can safely eat without making your symptoms worse. Salmon is often thought of as a healthy food. But is it OK to eat salmon when you have diarrhea?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the impact salmon can have if you are experiencing diarrhea. We’ll cover the nutritional profile of salmon how fatty foods like salmon can affect diarrhea tips for eating salmon safely during diarrhea, and when you may need to avoid it completely.

How Diarrhea Affects Your Body

Before diving into salmon, let’s quickly review what exactly happens when you get diarrhea. Diarrhea refers to loose watery stools that you pass more frequently than usual. It’s often accompanied by abdominal cramping bloating, and urgency to use the bathroom.

Diarrhea occurs when something disrupts the normal absorption of water in your intestines. It can be caused by:

• Bacterial infections
• Viruses
• Parasites
• Food poisoning
• Food intolerance or allergies
• Reaction to medications
• Bowel diseases like IBS or IBD

Whatever the cause, the result is your body expelling watery stool before it has a chance to solidify. This leads to the loose bowel movements that characterize diarrhea.

Some of the biggest concerns with diarrhea are dehydration and loss of electrolytes like potassium and sodium. It’s important to replenish fluids when you have diarrhea to avoid these issues.

Nutritional Profile of Salmon

Now let’s look at why salmon is considered a nutritious food. A 3-4 ounce serving of salmon contains:

• 200 calories
• 27g protein
• High in omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA
• Rich in B vitamins, selenium, potassium, vitamin D

So salmon provides high-quality protein, anti-inflammatory omega-3s, and a range of vitamins and minerals. These nutrients provide benefits like:

• Supporting heart health
• Boosting brain function
• Strengthening bones
• Improving immunity

However, there are some important caveats when it comes to eating salmon with diarrhea.

Fatty Foods Can Worsen Diarrhea

While salmon is very nutritious, it is also high in fat. A 3 ounce serving of cooked salmon contains about 12 grams of fat.

Consuming high fat foods can be difficult when you have diarrhea for a couple reasons:

• Fat digestion may be impaired – The digestive enzymes needed to break down fats and oils may not be secreted properly when you have diarrhea. This can lead to fat malabsorption.

• Fatty foods stimulate motility – Eating high fat foods triggers your gut to move contents faster through the intestines. This can worsen diarrhea symptoms.

So while the omega-3 fats in salmon provide health benefits, the high overall fat content can be problematic when your digestive system is already upset.

Tips for Eating Salmon With Diarrhea

If you are experiencing mild diarrhea and still want to get the benefits of salmon, there are some tips to make it easier to digest:

• Choose leaner cuts – Opt for wild salmon or cuts labeled “skinless” to reduce fat content.

• Avoid added oils or sauces – Salmon cooked plain or broiled has much less fat than salmon served in creamy sauces.

• Eat smaller portions – Limit portion size to 3-4 ounces to prevent overload.

• Cook thoroughly – Make sure salmon reaches 145°F internally to kill any potential parasites or bacteria.

• Pair with easily digested carbs – Rice, pasta, or bland toast can help balance the fat content.

• Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of fluids like water, diluted juices, or oral rehydration solutions.

Being mindful of portion size, fat content, and hydration can allow you to get salmon’s benefits without exacerbating diarrhea.

When to Avoid Salmon with Diarrhea

While properly prepared salmon in moderation may be OK, there are some instances where it is better to avoid it completely:

• Severe diarrhea – If you have severe watery diarrhea, it’s best to avoid fatty foods altogether until symptoms improve. Stick to a bland, low fiber BRAT diet.

• Nausea and vomiting – Salmon may be too rich if you have nausea or vomiting along with diarrhea.

• Ongoing medical treatment – Diarrhea caused by medications or treatments like chemotherapy may require a fat-restricted diet. Check with your healthcare provider.

• Underlying conditions – Those with conditions like diverticulitis, IBD, IBS, or pancreatitis may need to avoid trigger foods like salmon when having a flare up.

When in doubt, it’s best to avoid salmon until your diarrhea has resolved. After symptoms have improved, you can try reintroducing it.

Other Foods to Eat During Diarrhea

When salmon is off limits, focus on eating foods that are easy to digest. Some options include:

• BRAT Diet – Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast are binding foods.

• Chicken/Turkey – Lean proteins like skinless poultry are easily digested.

• Soups/Broths – Provides hydration and minerals without fiber.

• Yogurt – Look for brands with live cultures to promote good gut bacteria.

• Bland starches – Potatoes, noodles, oatmeal.

• Hydrating fruits and veggies – Melons, peeled apples.

• Oral rehydration solutions – Helps replenish electrolyte losses.

Avoid greasy, fried, spicy or dairy-heavy foods until diarrhea improves. Stay hydrated by sipping fluids frequently throughout the day.

Call Your Doctor if Symptoms Persist

While short bouts of diarrhea will often resolve on their own, it’s important to monitor your symptoms. Contact your doctor if you experience:

• Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days
• Blood or pus in stool
• Fever over 102°F
• Signs of dehydration
• Severe pain or cramping

Infants and children with diarrhea are at greater risk for dehydration. Seek medical care if diarrhea lasts over 24 hours in babies or if worrying symptoms develop.

The Bottom Line

Salmon is a nutrient-dense fish that provides many health benefits. However, its high fat content can be difficult to digest when you have diarrhea. Using caution with portion sizes, choosing fattier varieties, and proper cooking can allow you to incorporate salmon in moderation. But it’s best to avoid when diarrhea is severe, accompanied by vomiting, or related to an underlying condition. Focus on hydration and bland, low-fiber foods. Seek medical attention if diarrhea is prolonged or worrisome symptoms arise.