Food to Avoid for Piles: What You Should Keep Off Your Menu

Studies have estimated that around 10 million people in India suffer from piles every year, and a survey found that around 11% of the population in India has piles. This is higher than the global prevalence of 4.4%. 

Piles, or hemorrhoids, are very common in India. They may cause pain, bleeding, or discomfort during bowel movements. The major factor contributing to piles is not just a lack of awareness but also a lack of seriousness about managing the condition. Food is a key factor in controlling and preventing piles. 

This blog will help you understand piles, identify foods to avoid, and adopt lifestyle modifications for better management. Let’s dive in! 

What Are Piles?

Hemorrhoids or piles are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus. Piles are similar to varicose veins. It can develop inside the rectum and also develop under the skin around the anus, called internal and external piles, respectively. 

Internal Piles

Internal hemorrhoids lie inside the rectum. Usually, you can’t see or feel them. They rarely cause discomfort but can cause painless bleeding during bowel movements. Here are some foods to avoid if you have internal piles to prevent complications. 

• Fast Foods
• Fluids like energy drinks, tea, and soda
• Spicy foods
• Iron Supplements
• Unripe fruits 

External Piles

External hemorrhoids lie under the skin around the anus, which may cause bleeding, pain, and swelling. The blood pooled up can form a clot called a thrombus. This may result in swelling, inflammation, and severe pain. Here are some external piles of foods to avoid when managing symptoms and preventing serious complications. 

• Dairy Products 
• Fried Foods 
• Alcohol 
• Caffeinated Beverages 
• Salty Foods 

12 Foods to Avoid For Piles 

Piles may cause serious health complications if left untreated. Various treatments can help with recovery. However, some foods are more likely to irritate your piles. 

Here is a list of foods to avoid if you have piles to prevent discomfort and manage symptoms effectively.

1. Dairy products
1. Milk
2. Yogurt
3. Ice cream (especially full-fat varieties) 
4. Cheese
5. Creamers
2. Refined Flour
1. White bread and bagels
2. Pizza made with a refined flour crust
3. Non-whole-grain pasta
4. Market-prepared foods that contain bread
5. Bakery items like muffins, pies, and cakes
3. Red Meat
4. Processed Meats
1. Bacon
2. Hot dogs
3. Deli meats
4. Sausage 
5. Cured or salted meats
5. Fried Foods
6. Salty Foods
7. Spicy Foods
8. Caffeinated beverages
9. Alcohol
10. Unripe fruits
11. Refined Grains 
12. Iron supplements 

There are some days when you feel more pain than some other days. It is your food and the kind of diet you consume. Foods play a vital role in worsening or improving your bowel movements. The above-listed foods are a must to avoid hemorrhoids. 

Here is a table-wise classification of foods and reasons to avoid them. 

Foods	Reason to Avoid
Deep-fried and processed foods	Heavy and difficult to digest.  High sodium content and unhealthy fats can contribute to constipation and poor digestion.
Spicy Foods	Cause painful bowel movements.  Troublesome with sores or bleeding  Cause anal fissures.
Dairy Products	This may lead to gas formation  Cramps in the stomach  Cause constipation
Alcohol	Disrupt the digestive balance  Cause a dehydrating effect on the gut  Slow down your intestine Cause constipation and worsened hemorrhoids
Unripe Fruits	Cause constipation  Irritating compounds may increase the pain or suffering
Refined Grains	Low in fiber content Less bran component
High Salted foods	High salt content  Cause water retention  It affects the blood vessels
Iron Supplements	Cause constipation  Often referred to as a ‘constipating supplement.’
Caffeinated Beverages	May harden your stool
Processed Meat	No-fiber food It may increase the risk of high cholesterol, heart disease, and cancer
Excessive Fiber	Fiber is useful to relieve supplements. However, excessive fiber consumption may cause side effects. Start with an optimal fiber intake and gradually increase your fiber intake.

15 High-Fiber Foods for Piles 

While some foods may worsen your symptoms, some may be highly beneficial. Typically, foods high in fiber are the ultimate solution for piles. The following are the foods to add to your daily diet. 

1. Legumes
2. Whole grains
3. Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables
4. Artichokes
5. Root vegetables
6. Squash
7. Bell Peppers
8. Celery
9. Cucumbers and melons
10. Pears
11. Apples
12. Raspberries
13. Bananas
14. Stewed prunes
15. Fluids

Best Food to Eat	Why eat?
High-fiber cereals	The best source to relieve piles symptoms.
Beans	Rich in fiber and protein.  It is a great meat substitute. It can be consumed in various forms, such as salads, roasted, baked, mashed, or pureed.
Fruits and Vegetables	They are high in fiber.  The fiber content can help your piles heal.  It is low in calories and fats and can be enjoyed as roasted, lightly sauteed, or baked.
Legumes	Fiber content can help with the digestive tract.  Help prevent hemorrhoids and ease symptoms.  Promote a healthy gut.
Whole Grains	Contains soluble fiber, which benefits the gut microbiome by acting like a prebiotic.  Rich in insoluble fiber.  Reduce pain and discomfort with piles Whole grains like barley, corn, quinoa, brown rice, oats, and whole rye are beneficial for managing piles and should be included in your diet.
Cruciferous Vegetables	Gut bacteria can break down Glucosinolate (a plant chemical).  Boost immunity and improve the gastrointestinal system.  Insoluble fiber content can help prevent piles. Include: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage.
Root Vegetables	Reduce constipation  Ease on pile symptoms  Rich in gut-healthy fiber Root vegetables like sweet potatoes, beetroots, carrots, and potatoes.
Bell Peppers	Fiber content can make your stool easier to pass and prevent straining.  Made up of 93% water, it is best for hydrating.
Chia Seeds	High in fiber and can absorb water to form a gel-like consistency.  Soften stools and promote regular bowel movements  Add chia seeds to your breakfast through yogurt, oatmeal, and smoothies.
Figs or Anjeer	High in fiber  Ease constipation  Promote smooth bowel movements  Provide relief in piles
Nuts	Excellent source of fibre and healthy fats  Nourish digestive health  Easier to pass stools
Sweet Potatoes	High in dietary fiber and low in glycemic index  Aids in digestion and controls blood sugar levels  Rich in soluble and insoluble fiber  Regular bowel movements and keep the digestive system smooth.
Yogurt	Support gut health Improve digestion  Prebiotics aid in breaking down food  Reduce the discomfort of piles
Sprouts	Rich in fibers, vitamins, and calcium  Manage bowel irritation Raw sprouts can sometimes worsen piles' symptoms; consuming them cooked is better.

Also, read, Helping Guide to Fiber-rich Foods 

8 Symptoms of Piles 

Symptoms of piles depend on their type, i.e., internal or external hemorrhoids. Nonetheless, an individual may have the following symptoms of piles. 

1. Itching 
2. Bleeding
3. Lumps
4. Pain
5. Mucus
6. Swelling
7. Feeling of fullness
8. Discharge 

8 Causes and 3 Health Complications of Piles

During piles, the veins around the anus tend to stretch under pressure and may swell. The following are the causes of piles. 

1. Being Obese
2. Straining during bowel movements 
3. Sitting for a long period, especially on the toilet. 
4. Lifting heavy weights regularly
5. Eating a low-fiber diet.
6. Pregnancy 
7. Having chronic diarrhea or constipation
8. Having anal sex

Piles may cause serious health complications. However, they are rare. These include:

• Blood clot—A clot may form in a hemorrhoid, which can be painful. Experts call this a thrombosed hemorrhoid. 
• Anemia- It is very rare. However, piles may cause anemia. 
• Strangulated Hemorrhoid- When the blood supply is cut off, it is called a strangulated hemorrhoid. 

5 Tips to Cure Piles

Unfortunately, piles do not have a permanent cure, but they can be effectively managed. 

• Exercise regularly for 30 minutes at least. 
• Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. 
• Try not to exert pressure while passing stools.
• Sitting in warm water, i.e., a sitz bath, can provide great relief. 
• Apply creams, ointments, and suppositories to relieve swelling and discomfort.

A doctor may also prescribe surgical and non-surgical treatments to cure piles. Rubber band ligation, electrotherapy, and infrared coagulation are some non-surgical treatments, whereas hemorrhoidectomy and stapled hemorrhoidopexy are surgical procedures. 

Key Takeaways

Piles can be painful and uncomfortable, but diet plays a key role in managing symptoms. Avoiding certain triggering foods can help manage symptoms, act as a natural supplement, and prevent serious health consequences. Fiber-rich foods—such as legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables—support digestion and ease symptoms. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor.

FAQs 

Ques1 Which fruit is not good for piles?

Ans1 Unripe fruits like figs, plums, bananas, and pomegranates are not good for piles. They can worsen the symptoms of piles. 

Ques2 Which juice is good for piles?

Ans2 Juices that include aloe vera, beetroot, and pomegranate can help reduce inflammation, constipation, and digestion. 

Ques3 What food shrinks hemorrhoids fast?

Ans3 Foods high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds, can help prevent hemorrhoids, treat severe symptoms, and soften and make stools easier to pass.