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 many cases, diarrhea is caused by a virus or bacteria that your body is trying to flush out.

However, eating specific foods may also trigger a bout of diarrhea.

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.

For instance, you may experience diarrhea if you have:

That said, certain foods may cause diarrhea even if you don’t have a food intolerance.

Spicy foods like chili peppers and curry blends are common causes of food-induced diarrhea, especially spices your body isn’t used to.

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 may cause the following symptoms:

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.

Sugar substitutes include:

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

In particular, consuming high levels of sugar alcohols may cause diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Common foods that contain artificial sweeteners include:

  • chewing gum
  • sugar-free candies and desserts
  • diet drinks, such as diet soda
  • reduced-sugar cereals
  • low-sugar condiments, like coffee creamer and ketchup
  • some toothpastes and mouthwashes

If you experience diarrhea 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 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:

The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant, which can make you feel mentally alert and also stimulates your digestive system.

According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), drinking two to three cups of coffee or tea daily may 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, decaffeinated coffee may stimulate the gut because of other chemicals present in coffee.

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

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

For instance, 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

Fructose is a natural sugar found in fruit.

Eating fruits in excess, however, may cause diarrhea, according to the IFFGD.

Fructose is also found in:

  • candies
  • soft drinks
  • preservatives

The IFFGD notes that you may also experience looser bowel movements when fresh fruit and vegetables are more readily available in the summer months.

Garlic and onions have been shown to increase symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition characterized by symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.

These vegetables are high FODMAP foods. This group of carbohydrates may 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.

Broccoli and cauliflower are cruciferous vegetables.

These vegetables have many health benefits that could help fight inflammation and oxidative stress.

However, the digestive tract may have trouble processing them due to their high fiber content, especially if you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

If you aren’t used to eating large amounts of fiber, a big serving may 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 benefit your digestive and heart health.

Fatty, greasy, or fried foods are high in fat, which may cause diarrhea or worsen symptoms because fats are difficult to break down.

A 2023 study found that diarrhea was most commonly reported after eating fast food, fish and chips, and creamy sauces, among others.

Other common fast foods high in unhealthy fats include:

  • french fries
  • fried chicken
  • pastries and cakes
  • hamburgers
  • bacon

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

Drinking alcohol may lead to loose stool the following day, especially 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 digestive discomfort.

Treatment for diarrhea will depend on several factors, such as the underlying cause and whether it’s acute or chronic.

Treatment may include a combination of over-the-counter (OTC) and home remedies, such as:

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, eliminate certain foods to see if your symptoms improve. This can help you determine how different foods are affecting your body.

Learn more about how to relieve diarrhea.

Diarrhea will usually go away on its own after a few days.

However, diarrhea that lasts longer than 7 days, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms may be a sign of a health condition that requires medical treatment.

See a doctor if you experience:

  • severe abdominal pain or cramping
  • vomiting
  • unintentional weight loss
  • bloody stools
  • symptoms of dehydration, such as drowsiness, fatigue, and dizziness

They could provide a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for you.

How quickly can food cause diarrhea?

Diarrhea within 30 minutes of eating may be a sign of dumping syndrome.

What is the most common food cause of diarrhea?

There isn’t a single, most common food that causes diarrhea. Food triggers vary for each person.

What are the worst foods for diarrhea?

There is no single group of foods that are worst for diarrhea. However, common culprits include spicy, fatty, and greasy foods, as well as foods high in added sugar alcohols and fiber.

Foods that cause diarrhea will differ for each person and depend on several factors, such as whether you have a food intolerance or health condition.

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

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