How to Deal with Diarrhea That Disrupts the Holidays

The best Filipino holiday memories don’t just come from the dining table—they are made in the kitchen! There’s laughter over a bubbling pot of spaghetti sauce, friendly banter while slicing hams, and meaningful conversations as the chicken roasts to golden perfection. Every stir and slice becomes part of the fun. It’s messy, lively, and full of love, just the way the Filipino holidays should be.

Cooking and sharing meals together are what make the holidays truly special! But in between the feasting, it’s easy to forget that your tummies can only handle so much. The generous servings and endless taste tests can be too much for your gut to handle. And when that happens, one uninvited guest crashes the party and spoils the celebration: holiday diarrhea.

This unwelcome surprise can quickly turn your celebrations into exhausting trips to the bathroom. But don’t worry, you don't have to spend the holidays in discomfort. Here’s how you can manage diarrhea without letting it ruin the festivities.

1. It’s Common: Don’t Panic About Holiday Diarrhea!

First, understand that digestive issues are incredibly common during the holidays. Overeating, trying unfamiliar foods, consuming excessive alcohol, or just the stress of hosting or traveling can upset your stomach.¹ Most cases are mild and self-limiting unless caused by infection. Don’t be embarrassed or beat yourself up about it. Acknowledge the issue, take steps to manage it, and give your body the care it needs.

2. Stay Hydrated (This Is Priority #1)

Having three or more loose stools per day causes your body to lose fluids quickly, making dehydration the most serious risk associated with diarrhea.² At the first sign of loose stools, here’s what you can do to rehydrate:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Take electrolyte-balanced liquids if you're feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or weak. You can use oral rehydration solutions (ORS) and sports drinks to replace lost water and electrolytes you’re losing with diarrhea.³
• Avoid caffeinated, sugary, or alcoholic drinks as they can worsen dehydration and irritate your gut further.

3. Watch What You Eat (Even at the Party)

When you’re dealing with diarrhea, it’s best to take a short break from those crave-worthy, greasy favorites and switch to gentler, low-fiber meals instead. Don’t worry! These foods are easy on the stomach and can help firm up stools.³

• Bananas
• Rice
• Potatoes
• Applesauce
• Toast
• Noodles
• Lean beef
• Fish
• Chicken without the skin

These foods are easy on the stomach, and can help firm up stools. You can always save a plate for guilty indulgences when you’re feeling better!

4. Practice Good Hygiene to Avoid Spreading It

If your diarrhea is caused by a virus (like norovirus or rotavirus), it's highly contagious. To avoid passing a stomach bug to your loved ones during holiday gatherings, strict hygiene is crucial. Here’s what you can do:³

• Per CDC, alcohol-based sanitizers are less effective against norovirus — washing with soap and water is preferred.⁴
• Wipe down commonly touched surfaces (doorknobs, faucet handles, phone screens).
• Use separate towels and avoid sharing utensils or cups.
• Keep a hand sanitizer handy, especially when soap and water aren’t available.

No one wants a “family-wide stomach bug” to be the memory of the holidays.

5. Rest and Let Your Gut Recover

The holidays can be exhausting, but when you’re sick, your body needs rest more than ever. Don’t push yourself to cook for the potluck. Additionally, give yourself permission to step away from the kitchen and sit out a few games. Resting allows your gut to recover faster and significantly reduces the chance of a relapse.⁵

6. Probiotics for Holiday Gut Troubles

There are times when the simple diarrhea remedies just don’t seem to work. That’s when probiotics can step in! They can help restore the balance of intestinal microflora, ease discomfort, and even reduce the severity of diarrhea. Just remember: choose the right strain for the best results.

One well-known probiotic strain is Saccharomyces boulardii. Studies have shown that it helps reduce the frequency and duration of diarrhea, restore healthy intestinal flora, and support better digestion. It also helps improve lactose tolerance, may support nutrient absorption, and strengthen your gut’s natural defenses against harmful bacteria.^6,7

To keep your digestion ready for the celebrations, consider taking probiotics before and during the holidays. They can help strengthen your gut, particularly when you’re indulging in rich, festive dishes. And here’s some good news, probiotics are available over the counter! Consider BIOME^® Gut Care to help keep your tummy in top shape all season long.

BIOME^® Gut Care contains 5 billion active CFUs of Saccharomyces boulardii. As mentioned earlier, Saccharomyces boulardii is a trusted strain of probiotic known for supporting a healthy intestinal environment and boosting your body’s resistance to intestinal infections.^6,7,8

BIOME^® Gut Care is available in leading drugstores nationwide, and online via Lazada and Shopee in boxes of 20 capsules (blister packs of 10) at a suggested retail price of Php 700.00.

Holiday diarrhea can be uncomfortable and even a little embarrassing, but it doesn’t have to ruin the magic of the season. With the right steps, a bit of caution, plenty of fluids, and some probiotic support, you’ll be back on your feet (and at the dessert table) in no time.

Health Comes First, Even During the Holidays

Most diarrhea cases resolve in a day or two, but seek medical attention if you experience:

• Diarrhea lasting more than 3 days
• Severe abdominal pain or cramping
• High fever (over 102°F or 39°C)
• Bloody or black stools
• Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, dizziness, little or no urination)

Mahalagang Paalala: Ang BIOME® Gut Care ay hindi gamot at hindi dapat gamiting panggamot sa anumang uri ng sakit.