I use a lot of garlic salt on my food every day and get diarrhea about 1-2 times per month. could garlic be causing it? would onion powder be safer?

Maybe: It sounds more like you have irritable bowel syndrome and that is often set off by nerves, life problems, lack of sleep and stress. It would not hurt to stop the garlic salt for a month and see if it disappears. See your doctor to discuss this in more detail.

Garlic: Garlic salt typically will not cause diarrhea unless you overuse it extremely. Onion salt is a fine alternative; Try the Mrs Dash seasonings -- these are terrific. Too much stool softener could be the culprit- or simply the type of food you are eating could be relevant to the occurrence of occasional loose stools you have.