Food to Avoid in Piles: What to Skip for Faster Healing

Dealing with the discomfort of piles (hemorrhoids) can be a real pain, but did you know that your diet plays a significant role in managing this condition? While certain foods can provide relief, others can worsen symptoms like itching, pain, and bleeding. In today’s post, we'll talk about the types of food to avoid in piles, so you can make proper dietary choices to promote healing and achieve comfort.

How Does Diet Impact Piles or Hemorrhoids?

Diet has a direct impact on piles or hemorrhoids. Eating the right foods and drinking enough water is the key to preventing and managing piles. Foods that are rich in fibre, such as vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, are known to soften the stools and encourage regular bowel movements. Soft stools mean lesser strain during defecation and better control of piles symptoms.

On the other hand, eating a low-fibre diet without maintaining adequate hydration levels can lead to constipation and worsen the symptoms associated with piles. Therefore, it is important to watch what you eat when you have piles.

Food to Avoid in Piles

Here is the list of piles food to avoid for your reference:

Foods with too much salt

Salty food items like packaged snacks, pickles, and others are known to trigger piles, causing inflammation and swelling in the anal and rectal veins. This can make things painful and increase the discomfort. Hence, it is better to skip foods with too much salt when dealing with piles.

Fruits that aren’t ripe

Eating unripe fruits could be a bad idea when you have piles. Unripe fruits may contain compounds that worsen your piles symptoms and cause pain and discomfort. If you want to add fruit to your diet, which you must, make sure the fruit is ripe and ready for consumption.

Milk and dairy items

For many individuals, milk and dairy items like cheese can lead to hard stools and constipation. Therefore, if you are someone who is having a flare-up of the condition, it is better to avoid milk and dairy products until your symptoms subside.

Food with lots of spice

Spicy foods are a big no for individuals dealing with piles in everyday life. Though spices make your food tasty, they can aggravate your piles-related symptoms and make bowel movements painful, especially if they are swollen and bleeding.

Processed foods

Foods like frozen meals, chicken nuggets, flavoured crackers, potato chips, etc., are highly processed foods that contain significant amounts of salt and fat. These items are difficult to digest and may lead to hard stools, making bowel movements difficult and painful when you have hemorrhoids.

Deep-fried and greasy foods

These foods are best to be avoided when you have piles. As deep-fried and greasy foods have a lot of fat and salt content, they have a high chance of causing constipation and other digestive issues. So it is better to stay away from these foods when you are dealing with swollen veins in and around the anus.

Refined flour and grains

Refined grains like white rice and flour like ‘maida’ contain very low fibre content, as much of it is removed during the refining process. As fibre-rich foods are the go-to choice for piles, it is better to avoid these items when you have a piles flare-up.

Iron supplements

Iron supplements are notoriously famous for their constipating effect. People who don’t have piles also have a hard time when they take these supplements. So, avoid taking iron supplements when you have piles and inform your doctor about the same if you notice them prescribing iron supplements for you.

Fibre supplements

Though fibre is good for relieving constipation, it can make things worse if not combined with enough water. Plus, taking too much fibre suddenly can result in the opposite effect and make piles worse. It is better to increase the dose of fibre supplements gradually and see how your body is accepting it. If your symptoms don’t improve or worsen, you would be better off without them.

Alcohol

Limit your alcohol intake or avoid it altogether if you’re dealing with piles. Alcohol makes your intestines sluggish, making the movement of contents difficult and causing constipation. Plus, it dehydrates your body, encouraging your colon to hold on to more water, which eventually hardens the stools and makes their excretion difficult.

Sugary treats

Though sugar or sugary items like sweets do not cause piles, they may worsen the condition and increase its severity. As sweets and other sugary treats are low in fibre, high in fat, and have low water content, they can trigger constipation and aggravate piles symptoms.

What Else Should You Avoid?

In addition to paying attention to the things you should not eat when you have piles, there are a few other things you must keep in mind to prevent the worsening of your symptoms and promote healing. These include:

1. Sitting in one place for too long can put more pressure on your rectal veins and worsen your symptoms. It is better to take breaks and move around for a few minutes if you must sit for long periods.

2. Avoid straining when you are having a bowel movement, as this can put pressure on your anal veins and cause piles flare-ups.

3. Avoid using scented wipes or rough toilet paper and harsh soaps on your anal area. Doing so can irritate the skin area and worsen swelling and inflammation.

4. Ditch a sedentary lifestyle and include light exercises to improve bowel movements and reduce pressure around your sensitive bottom.

5. Avoid wearing tight clothing that can cause friction and irritation around your private parts. Choose breathable fabrics that are soft and comfortable to wear.

What to Eat When You Have Piles?

It is important to eat high fiber foods for piles prevention and management. These include:

• Fruits: Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), apples (with skin!), pears, bananas, prunes, figs, oranges
• Vegetables: Leafy greens (spinach, kale, collard greens), broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, sweet potatoes, peas
• Legumes: Lentils, beans (kidney, black, pinto), chickpeas
• Whole Grains: Brown rice, quinoa, oats, whole wheat bread, whole grain pasta, bran cereal
• Nuts and Seeds: Flaxseeds, chia seeds, almonds, walnuts

You must also combine your diet with plenty of water to stay hydrated, as it helps in softening stools, managing pain, and preventing flare-ups. You can also consume yoghurt and kefir as these contain probiotics that support gut health and prevent issues like constipation.

Summing Up

Making dietary choices when dealing with piles can seem confusing, but by having the right knowledge of food to avoid in piles, you can take a step towards comfort and healing. Foods such as spicy curries, processed foods, dairy products, alcohol, etc., are better avoided when you have piles. You will likely benefit by trying home remedies for piles and adding more high-fibre foods and fluids to your diet. With the right treatment and diet, it is possible to manage piles and live a comfortable life.

FAQs

What are the 5 foods to avoid with hemorrhoids?

To minimise hemorrhoid discomfort, steer clear of these common culprits: spicy foods, processed snacks, red meat, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages. These can irritate, cause constipation, or dehydrate you, worsening your symptoms.

What food shrinks hemorrhoids fast?

While no single food provides instant relief, high-fibre options like leafy greens, fruits (especially berries and bananas), and whole grains can help soften stools and reduce pressure on hemorrhoids, promoting faster healing.  

Which juice is good for piles?

Prune juice is a top choice for piles due to its natural laxative effect. It helps soften stools, making bowel movements easier and less straining. 

Is it okay to follow a liquid diet for hemorrhoids?

A short-term liquid diet can provide temporary relief during a hemorrhoid flare-up by allowing your digestive system to rest. Focus on clear broths, juices, and smoothies, ensuring adequate hydration. 

Which fruit is not good for piles?

Unripe bananas can be constipating due to their high starch content, potentially worsening hemorrhoid symptoms. Opt for ripe bananas instead, as they are easier to digest.

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Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider if you wish to add something new to your diet and for the diagnosis and treatment of any health condition. You can also consult a dietician for personalised dietary recommendations.