Foods to Eat and Avoid for Haemorrhoids (Piles) Relief

Having haemorrhoids (piles) can be a painful and uncomfortable experience. Dealing with haemorrhoids (piles) can be a real struggle — the pain, tenderness, bleeding, and relentless itching can make everyday life feel unbearable.

Around 75% of India’s population experiences piles, primarily because the condition is often neglected despite widespread awareness. Haemorrhoids (piles) are often related to bowel movements and, more importantly, the type of foods you eat.   

We’ve all heard the advice: “Eat more fibre.” “Stay more hydrated.” These are all the eating advice we get when it comes to haemorrhoids. Yes, they are good. But what does it mean when you’re at the grocery store or deciding what to put on your plate? 

In this article, we have listed the top foods to eat to help you with haemorrhoids (piles) and what foods to avoid to help you manage the symptoms of piles better.  But first, let’s go over the basics!

What Are Haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, form when blood pools in the veins surrounding the rectum and anus, leading to swelling and discomfort. This causes the associated veins and connective tissue to enlarge and the lining of the rectal wall to pouch forward.

Haemorrhoids fall into two main types: internal and external.

Internal haemorrhoids form inside the lower rectum and usually don’t cause any pain. You might not even know that you have haemorrhoids until you see a little blood on your stool.

External haemorrhoids occur on the skin around the anus. This type of pile causes most of the problems and pain because the skin is irritated and breaks down.

How Do You Get Hemorrhoids?

Most of the time, haemorrhoids (piles) are linked to repeated episodes of constipation. This disrupts blood flow, leading to pooling, and the pressure in the anal canal causes the blood vessels to swell. This occurs within the compact and smooth muscle of the anal canal.

Other causes of haemorrhoids (piles) include:

• Prolonged sitting 
• Excess weight
• Pregnancy
• Persistent diarrhoea
• Frequent Heavy Lifting 
• Low fibre diets
• Certain sexual practices

What Are The Symptoms of Hemorrhoids?

The symptoms of piles vary depending on where they are located: internal, external or thrombosed (clotted).

The most common symptom of piles is rectal bleeding associated with bowel movements. While bleeding is often painless, itching and discomfort are common symptoms of haemorrhoids.

If you have larger haemorrhoids, you might feel a constant fullness in your rectum or like you haven’t fully emptied your bowels.

Other symptoms of piles include:

• Anal swelling 
• Hard lump near the anus 
• Pain

How Diet Can Help With Haemorrhoids (Piles)?

Eating more fibre, low-fat, and whole foods helps reduce and prevent the symptoms of haemorrhoids.

This is because fibre appears to:

• Increase stool weight, which shortens the time faeces stay in the colon.
• Promotes water retention in the colon - making stools softer and easier to pass.
• Lower the pH levels in the colon, which also reduces the colon transit time or the time it takes for the food to pass through the colon.

According to the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it's recommended to aim for around 14 grams of fibre for every 1,000 calories you consume.

Foods That Are Good For Haemorrhoids 

Here is a list of the top foods that you should include in your diet to help you manage haemorrhoids (piles):

Legumes

To help prevent or avoid piles flare-ups, one very important step is to make sure that you get enough fibre.

There are two types of fibre found in food: soluble and insoluble. 

Soluble fibre forms a gel in your digestive system and is digested by beneficial bacteria, while insoluble fibre adds bulk to your stool.

Both of them are essential for a healthy gut. 

Legumes, such as beans, lentils, peas, soybeans, peanuts, and chickpeas, are packed with both types of fibre, especially soluble fibre.

Whole Grains

Just like legumes, whole grains are nutritional powerhouses. They retain their germ, bran, and endosperm, which are full of fibre and other beneficial components.

These grains are particularly high in insoluble fibre, which aids in digestion and can help alleviate the pain and discomfort linked to piles.

Whole grains aren’t just about whole-wheat bread and flour—other options like barley, corn, spelt, quinoa, brown rice, whole rye, and oats also fall into this category.

Oatmeal, in particular, is great for easing piles symptoms. It contains beta-glucan, a type of soluble fibre that acts as a prebiotic, feeding the friendly bacteria in your gut.

Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, arugula, bok choy, kale, radishes, turnips, and cabbage, are well known for their cancer-fighting benefits. They also offer a considerable amount of insoluble fibre.

Prunes

Prunes are dried plums. Stewed or dried prunes are packed with fibre, with just half a cup of stewed prunes providing about 3.8g of fibre.

Also, dried prunes can also help you feel fuller for longer, reducing the need for frequent eating.

Artichokes

Artichokes are an excellent source of fibre, with a medium-sized raw one (128 grams) providing about 7 grams.

As with other fibre-rich foods, the fibre in artichokes helps nourish the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Studies have found that inulin, a type of soluble fibre in artichokes, can help boost the growth of beneficial gut bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli.

By supporting a healthy gut microbiome and promoting regular digestion this could play a role in preventing or easing the discomfort of piles.

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, turnips, beets, rutabagas, carrots, and potatoes are not only hearty but also nutrient-dense.

They’re a great source of fibre, offering around 3–5 grams per serving.

For maximum benefit, remember that most of their fibre is concentrated in the skin, so it’s best to keep it on when you enjoy them.

Apples

A 2020 article highlights that apples are an excellent source of dietary fibre.

A medium apple, with its skin, provides about 4.4 grams of fibre, making it one of the most fibre-packed fruits.

The insoluble fibres in the skin remain undigested, helping to add bulk to stool and produce a natural laxative effect.

Pears

Pears are a fantastic source of fibre and other helpful nutrients for those dealing with haemorrhoids. Eating a pear with the skin on gives you a healthy boost of about 6 grams of fibre. Plus, the natural fructose in pears can work as a gentle laxative, helping to keep things moving smoothly.

Barley

Barley is full of a special fibre called β-glucan, which turns into a gel in your colon and makes stool softer. Plus, research shows that adding barley to your diet can be great for maintaining a healthy colon.

Cucumbers and Melons

Melons and cucumbers belong to the Cucurbitaceae plant family.

Like bell peppers and celery, they’re tasty and hydrating options that provide both fibre and water to your digestive system. Be sure to leave the skin on your cucumber to get the full fibre benefits.

Bananas

Bananas are a fantastic choice to help ease piles symptoms, thanks to their blend of pectin and resistant starch. A medium banana (about 7–8 inches) packs 3 grams of fibre. The pectin works by forming a gel in your digestive system, while the resistant starch feeds your good gut bacteria. Together, they can provide some much-needed relief for your haemorrhoids. 

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are another excellent vegetable for managing piles. A cup (92 grams) of sliced, mild peppers provides almost 2 grams of fibre. While they may not be as high in fibre as some other vegetables, bell peppers are packed with hydration, containing 93% water.

Foods To Avoid 

Consuming processed foods and those high in fats, sugar, or refined carbohydrates can raise the risk of conditions that contribute to haemorrhoids (piles), particularly constipation.

Here are some foods to avoid:

• Dairy products: These include milk, cheese and other variants.
• White flour: This flour has had the bran and germ stripped away, resulting in lower fibre content. Foods made from this flour include white bread, pasta, and bagels.
• Red meat: These meat are longer to digest and may worsen constipation.
• Fried foods: These foods are hard on your digestive tract and are difficult to digest.
• Salty Foods: These can lead to bloating and increase the sensitivity of haemorrhoids (piles).
• Caffeinated Drinks: Particularly coffee can harden your stools, making bowel movements more painful. 
• Alcohol: Just like caffeinated beverages, alcohol can dehydrate your stools, worsening the discomfort caused by haemorrhoids.

Conclusion

Now you have the list of the foods to eat and avoid with haemorrhoids (piles). Remember, making thoughtful dietary choices can significantly ease discomfort and support recovery. Your plate has the power to be part of the solution. With a balanced approach and a little mindfulness about what you eat, you can reclaim comfort and get back to living your life without the constant distraction of haemorrhoid discomfort.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/food-for-piles#Foods-to-avoid
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hemorrhoids-high-fiber-diet#foods-to-eat
https://healthmatch.io/hemorrhoids/5-foods-to-avoid-with-hemorrhoids#overview