Food to Avoid for Piles

Piles, also known as hemorrhoids, are characterized by swollen veins around the rectum and lower anus. Pile symptoms include painful lumps within and around the anus, bloody stools, and pain and discomfort during and after bowel movements when sitting and standing. According to a study, around 50% of the Indian population experiences piles at some point in their life. 

Piles can be internal or external. Although internal piles can occasionally swell out of the anus region, they cannot always be diagnosed via the external examination. If not treated rapidly, surgery may be required.

However, it has been found that some foods help in reducing the condition, while others may worsen it. Therefore, the foods you choose to eat make a huge difference when you are living with piles. So, read on to learn about the worst foods for hemorrhoids that need to be avoided.

11 Foods and Beverages to Avoid During Piles

During piles, doctors advise patients to avoid specific foods. These foods are also referred to as the "worst food for hemorrhoids" since they can significantly worsen the piles and cause an individual an extreme amount of pain and trouble. 

Here are some foods that trigger piles symptoms, and you should stop consuming them immediately: 

1. Refined Flour

White flour and refined flour both lack bran and germ, the fibre-containing portions of the wheat kernel. Therefore, there is little to no fiber in refined flour. Thus, you should avoid refined flour or any low-fibre foods if you are experiencing piles. This is because eating foods that lack fibre makes your stools thick and hard, and difficult to pass without straining. When you strain, your hemorrhoids are compressed, which makes them swell and bleed. 

2. Processed Meat

Consuming processed meats has been linked to a higher risk of cancer, high cholesterol, and heart disease. If you are experiencing a hemorrhoid, you need to take additional care to avoid them. Processed meats contain zero fiber, and you should avoid eating no-fibre meals during a hemorrhoid flare. Bacon, sausage, hot dogs, deli meats, and salted or cured meats are a few types of processed meats.

3. Spicy Food

Although there is no direct scientific evidence that spicy foods cause hemorrhoids, they can aggravate existing symptoms. If you already have swollen hemorrhoids, eating spicy food may trigger flare-ups or increase discomfort. This is partly due to capsaicin, the active compound in chilli peppers, which can be hard for your digestive system to break down. As it passes through the intestines and exits with stool, it may worsen the burning or pain around irritated hemorrhoidal tissue.

4. Fried, Greasy Foods

Greasy or fried foods are typically processed and have very little fibre. It means that they may make it more difficult for you to pass stool. Straining to pass stools increases your chance of developing piles and makes them more likely to worsen. If you are eating out, stay away from fried and oily foods. Instead of frying, try baking your meals at home. You also need to avoid prepared snacks that are high in fat, such as potato chips.

5. Alcohol

There are several ways that alcohol may affect your digestive system. First, drinking alcohol may slow down the intestines, which makes it more difficult for them to pass things forward. This could lead to constipation and worsened hemorrhoids. As alcohol dehydrates you, it can also cause constipation. It also inhibits the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), due to which you might urinate frequently. Your intestines will retain more water to make up for the water loss as you get dehydrated. As a result, your stool has less water, making it more difficult to pass. This may result in hemorrhoid inflammation and straining.

6. Dairy Products

Dairy products are high in protein, calcium, and vitamin D, but they do not contain essential fibres. Consuming cheese, milk, creamers, and ice cream in excess can make bowel movements harder to pass. This can lead to constipation and straining, both of which can worsen hemorrhoids. If you are healing from piles, reduce dairy intake temporarily. Consider switching to non-dairy alternatives with added fibre, and balance your diet with fruits, vegetables and whole grains to stay regular.

7. Unripe Fruits

Fruits are a lifesaver when it comes to relieving piles symptoms. But just make sure you are eating ripe fruit. For example, unripe bananas contain higher levels of resistant starch that can be constipating. This can lead to harder stools and increased hemorrhoid pain. Stick to ripe fruits like papayas, apples, berries, and pears that are rich in fibre and easy to digest. They help keep your stool soft and support healthy bowel function during recovery.

8. High-Salt Foods

Foods with a high salt content, such as chips, canned soup, cured meat, and salty snacks, cause water retention and dehydration. They raise blood pressure in veins, including those found around the rectum, and can make hemorrhoids worse. Too much salt also sucks water out of stool, drying and hardening it. Lowering your salt intake will relieve hemorrhoidal vein pressure. Eat fresh, home-prepared meals that contain little salt and add herbs for taste instead.

9. Iron Supplements and Some Other Medicines

Before you got piles, you might have been taking iron supplements. However, iron supplements are known to cause constipation. Additionally, constipation is an unexpected side effect of several commonly taken medicines (like those for cough and cold). Never stop taking a dose or change it suddenly. To address all of your health issues, it is important to speak with your doctor and choose the best course of action.

10. Avoid Fiber Pills

Do not take fibre pills, despite the fact that everyone tells you to eat enough fibre to relieve constipation. This is one of the piles diet mistakes to avoid. These pills add bulk but don't soften stool unless water intake is also increased. This can make passing stool more difficult and painful. Instead of relying on pills, increase your fibre through natural sources like fruits, vegetables, oats, and legumes. Gradually adding fibre to your diet allows your digestive system to adjust without causing additional pressure on hemorrhoids.

11. Caffeinated Drinks

Excessive consumption of caffeine might result in constipation and bloating. Caffeine has a diuretic effect, which means it can cause increased urination and possibly dehydration if ingested in excess. Tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks are among the beverages that should be avoided because they may worsen piles. Caffeine can also irritate the gastrointestinal lining in some people. Drinking plenty of non-caffeinated fluids and herbal teas can keep your stool soft and digestive system running smoothly while recovering from piles.

Also Read: How to sleep during piles?

Manage Piles with a Healthier Diet! 

Anything that causes pressure on your abdomen may lead to hemorrhoids flaring up. Diet restrictions for piles patients can impact how quickly you recover from it. Foods low in fibre, such as dairy, processed meats, and refined wheat, should be avoided during a flare. However, consuming foods high in fibre during a flare may speed up your recovery. Aim for at least 28 grams of fibre every day. 

If you are suffering from piles and looking for a comprehensive treatment approach, look no further than Apollo Spectra. We have skilled doctors to provide you with piles treatment and surgery. We are aware of the emotional and physical ups and downs associated with managing piles, fissures, or fistulas. Therefore, we offer a personalized treatment plan for piles.