Infant formula, Similac for Diarrhea
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a specialized, lactose-free infant formula designed to help manage diarrhea by providing gentle, easy-to-digest nutrition. It has a mild, slightly sweet taste and a smooth, liquid consistency. Nutritionally, it's formulated with a balance of electrolytes and a reduced osmolality to support hydration and recovery.
Calorie split: 11% protein · 40% carbs · 49% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
Parents and caregivers appreciate it as a reliable, science-backed tool to help their baby recover comfortably from a stomach bug, offering peace of mind during a stressful time.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
It is a medical nutrition product, not for general use, and can be more expensive than standard formula. It should only be used under the guidance of a pediatrician, as prolonged use without medical advice isn't recommended.
Key benefits
- Helps manage acute diarrhea in infants
- Lactose-free to reduce digestive distress
- Contains electrolytes to support hydration
- Provides essential nutrients for growth during illness
- Easier to digest than standard formulas
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
This formula is often part of a 'rehydration then refeeding' strategy, where it's introduced after initial rehydration therapy to help restore normal feeding patterns and nutrition.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 87.8 g |
| Energy | 66.0 kcal |
| Protein | 1.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 6.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.70 g |
| Total Sugars | 6.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 69.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 5.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 49.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 71.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 29.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.49 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 5.9 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 0.89 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate, total | 10.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 10.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 17.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 7.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 60.0 ug |
| Retinol | 60.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.44 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.44 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 7.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.32 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.14 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.76 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.14 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.69 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.60 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
How is this different from regular formula?
It is specifically designed for diarrhea management: it's lactose-free, has a modified carbohydrate blend, and includes electrolytes to help with hydration, which standard formulas do not prioritize.
Can I use it for a baby without diarrhea?
No, it is a medical food intended for the dietary management of diarrhea. It should not be used as a routine infant formula without a doctor's recommendation.
How long should my baby use it?
The duration should be determined by your pediatrician, typically for a short period during the acute phase of diarrhea until normal stools return.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.66 kcal/g · 11% calories from protein · 0.7 g fiber · 6.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.41 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.