15 Safe Bets When You Have Hemorrhoids: Food For Piles

Piles or hemorrhoids is a painful ailment that is characterized by the inflammation of the veins that are present in the rectum and anus of a person. The people affected with piles are not able to pass bowels without experiencing severe discomfort in the process. There are several causes of this illness that range from being chronically constipated, experiencing diarrhea, engaging in heavy weight lifting activities to pregnancy.

This condition is treatable and the person often recovers if a proper treatment course is administered. To help the person deal with this problem, the doctor may recommend various over-the-counter medications and ointments. However, the best way by which you can treat this illness at home is by healing yourself internally. It means that you need to have a good understanding of food for piles. Eating a nutritious and fiber rich diet is key to preventing this condition.

15 Foods That Help in Fighting Piles

Variety of fruits, Credit: Pixabay

If you or someone close to you is suffering from piles, you may often hear your doctor repeating the same advice again and again, that is, to eat more fiber. What is the reason behind this advice, you may wonder. Well, the reason your doctor recommends you to add more fiber rich foods in your diet is because fiber acts as a natural stool-softening agent, that helps you to pass your stool more easily with less pain.

Food items like green leafy vegetables contain loads of antioxidants that promote good digestion and remove toxins from your body. It results in a reduction in swelling and pain in the affected areas. You need to consume both soluble and insoluble fiber in the form of food to ease the symptoms of piles.

15 best food items to consume when suffering from piles are:

1. Whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat bread, and oats

2. Leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, among others

3. Juices of fruits like blackberries and blueberries

4. Certain herbal teas like that of dandelion and mullein

5. Fruits like bananas, oranges, and papayas

6. Legumes like chickpeas and kidney beans

7. Pulses

8. Artichokes

9. Root vegetables like carrots, beets, and turnips

10. Acorn and butternut squash

11. Pumpkin

12. Bell peppers

13. Cucumber

14. Lots of water

15. Dairy products like yogurt

Now that you know all about safe food for piles, it’s time to become aware about what kinds of food you need to avoid to recover from this illness.

5 Foods to Avoid with Hemorrhoids

Milk and cheese, Credit: Pixabay

You should completely avoid consuming those food items that have little to no fiber in them. These food items will never cure your hemorrhoids and will only make it worse over time. Here is a list of five foods that you should completely eliminate from your diet.

1. Milk and cheese

2. Meat

3. White bread and related products

4. Processed food items like junk food, chips, burgers, etc.

5. Food with high sodium or salt content

All these food items may worsen your constipation and as a result you will  find your hemorrhoid symptoms aggravating. Eating sodium rich food items will make your body retain water. It will in turn exert pressure on your blood vessels. Hence, the veins in your anus and rectum will swell further and cause you immense pain. However, to cure constipation and other digestive issues you can try adding iron supplements in your diet. But always take these supplements under the supervision of your doctor.

Apart from the above pointers, you must also remember to stay away from indulging in heavy weight lifting activities and stop straining yourself excessively when trying to have a bowel movement. A healthy diet remains one of the best cures for this condition.