Explosive Diarrhea Outbreak: What Foods to Avoid if You're Concerned About the Parasite

An outbreak of a diarrheal illness is enough to make anyone think twice about what's on their plate. While public health officials work to identify and contain outbreaks, many people are left wondering what they should eat — and, perhaps more importantly, what they should avoid.

If you've been searching for information about an explosive diarrhea outbreak and what foods to avoid, it's important to know that recommendations can vary depending on the parasite or germ involved.

However, there are some general food safety guidelines that can help lower your risk of getting sick or prevent symptoms from getting worse if you're already infected.

If a parasite is behind a diarrhea outbreak, contaminated food or water is often the source, according to the CDC. Fresh produce that hasn't been washed properly, untreated drinking water, and raw or undercooked foods are among the most common culprits.

If you're currently experiencing diarrhea, experts generally recommend avoiding foods that can be difficult to digest or may irritate your digestive tract, including:

• Greasy or fried foods
• Spicy meals
• High-fat dairy products (especially if you're temporarily lactose intolerant)
• Alcohol
• Caffeinated beverages
• Sugary drinks and fruit juices, which may worsen diarrhea

Instead, stick with bland, easy-to-digest foods while staying hydrated. Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, plain crackers, oatmeal, and boiled potatoes are often recommended until symptoms begin to improve.

If health officials identify a specific contaminated food linked to an outbreak — such as leafy greens, fresh herbs, or imported produce — avoid consuming those products until they're declared safe.

Good hygiene also plays a major role in preventing illness per the CDC. Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing food, rinse produce under running water, cook meat to safe internal temperatures, and avoid drinking untreated water from lakes, rivers, or streams.

One of the most common parasites associated with explosive, watery diarrhea is Cryptosporidium (often called Crypto). Symptoms typically begin between two and 10 days after exposure and can last anywhere from one to two weeks in otherwise healthy people. In some cases, symptoms may come and go for up to a month, the CDC writes.

Another common culprit is Giardia, which often causes diarrhea, bloating, stomach cramps, nausea, and fatigue. Without treatment, symptoms may persist for two to six weeks or even longer.

Most healthy adults recover on their own with plenty of fluids and rest, though some people — including young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems — may need medical treatment. Anyone experiencing severe dehydration, bloody diarrhea, persistent vomiting, or symptoms lasting longer than several days should contact a healthcare provider.

Yes. Many parasites that cause diarrhea are contagious.

Parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia spread through what's known as the fecal-oral route, meaning tiny amounts of contaminated stool can be transferred through unwashed hands, contaminated food or water, shared surfaces, or recreational water like swimming pools, reports the CDC.

Someone can also spread the parasite to others even after their symptoms begin improving. That's why health experts recommend frequent handwashing with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.

If you're sick, it's also a good idea to avoid preparing meals for others and to stay out of pools, hot tubs, and splash pads until public health guidance indicates it's safe to return. Taking these simple precautions can help reduce the spread of illness and protect those who may be more vulnerable to severe infection.