22 Food for Piles: What to Eat and Avoid for Piles and Hemorrhoids

The incidence of Piles is increasing day by day. Changing dietary patterns, the influence of western food habits, a diet that lacks adequate soluble fibre, and an inappropriate diet regimen cause constipation and lead to piles. In this article, we will be discussing the Ayurvedic Piles Diet, what to eat and avoid in piles, which fruits are good for piles in detail.

If you are looking for a fast-acting Ayurvedic medicine for piles, Piles Care by Dr Vaidya’s is helpful in getting sustainable relief from piles & fissure symptoms.

What Are Piles?

Piles or haemorrhoids are swollen or dilated veins in your lower rectum and anus. It is one of the most common problems observed in men and women. Piles are known as Arsha in ayurved.

Know More about Piles: Causes and Symptoms

Diet for Piles

 

Ayurved has a holistic approach to disease treatment. Along with Ayurvedic medicines for piles, various procedures like Ksharasutra and rarely surgery are available for the treatment of piles. In addition, making dietary and lifestyle changes is also recommended in ayurved to get relief from haemorrhoids.

ayurved mentions that all diseases occur due to Mandagni (weak digestive power). Therefore, a detailed recommendation of the Pathya (wholesome) and Apathya (unwholesome) diet is mentioned with medicinal treatments in ayurved.

Foods For Piles

Constipation or disturbed digestion is a common cause of piles. Preventing constipation itself will control the disease to a certain extent. Hence, the diet for piles should have enough fibre content.

How Does Fiber Help In Piles?

Soluble fibres of the food help create a bulkier and softer stool that is easier to pass, thus reducing the risk of constipation.

These, in turn, will prevent the recurrence of haemorrhoids and minimize the irritation of the existing haemorrhoids.

Whole Grains, vegetables, beans, fresh fruits are recommended fibre-rich foods for piles. 

You can also consult Ayurvedic Doctors for a personalized Ayurvedic Diet Plan For Piles.

List Of High Fiber Foods for Piles Diet:

Whole grains as Food for Piles: 

 

Ayurved has recommended Yava (Barley), Godhuma (Wheat), Raktha Shali (Red rice), Kulatha (Horse gram) for piles patients. 

Oatmeal, bran cereals, whole grain flour are also good options to include in the Indian diet plan for piles. Made from whole wheat chapati is good for piles. It prevents moisture loss from the stools.

Here's a detailed list of whole grain foods for piles:

Wheat Bran

Wheat bran is high in insoluble fibre, which contributes to a bulky stool. This facilitates bowel movements. From a scientific standpoint, 1/3 to 1/4 cup of wheat bran contains 9.1 to 14.3 grams of fibre.

Pile patients are advised to include shredded wheat in their diet. This low-calorie snack provides between 5 and 9 grams of fibre.

Barley

Barley is considered a superfood that promotes digestive health. It consists of -glucan, a type of fibre. This fibre generates a gel-like substance in the colon, facilitating stool's smooth passage.

It has been observed that barley consumption promotes colon health.

Corn

Corn is a popular food among many people. These fiber-rich meals for piles can be boiled and used to make popcorn or salads. Due to the presence of abundant fibre, it facilitates bowel movements.

Corn is easier for the body to consume and process. In addition, they contain antioxidants that inhibit free radicals from causing cell damage.

One cup of cooked sweet corn has around 4.2 grams of fibre. This is ideal for bowel movements.

Oatmeal

Individuals with constipation can add oatmeal to their morning meal. This will assist them in avoiding developing haemorrhoids. Oatmeal includes almost 4 grams of fibre. Additionally, it enhances intestinal health and promotes beneficial microorganisms for enhanced digestion.

Oatmeal consumption will soften the colon and decrease the likelihood of straining or blockages.

Lentils

Every Indian family prepares a dish with pulses, split peas, chickpeas, etc., for lunch and dinner. These lentils are an excellent source of fibre, which facilitates bowel movements.

A cup of cooked lentils should have approximately 15.6 grams of fibre. Lentils increase stool weight and decrease its colonic presence.

In addition to identifying the best foods for piles, individuals should make a list of the veggies to include in a balanced diet. This will assist them in planning a diet that promotes healthy bowel motions.

Fresh Vegetables as Food for Piles:

 

 

Include Patol (Parwar or Pointed gourd), Suraṇa (tuber of elephant’s foot), Punarnava (Spreading hogweed), spinach, cabbage, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and cucumber in daily diet.

The high fibre content of these veggies improves digestion, cleanses, detoxifies the gut, relieves constipation, and thus, helps reduce piles symptoms.

Here's a detailed list of vegetables for piles:

Artichoke

These vegetable petals include prebiotics, which promotes gut health and bowel movement. The indigestible carbohydrate prebiotics un artichoke nourishes beneficial intestinal flora and inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria, according to scientific research.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables are an excellent source of fibre, which aids in bowel movement. This group includes vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, bok choy, radishes, arugula, and turnips, among others.

They are reported to have a high concentration of insoluble fibre and anticancer effects. A cup of raw broccoli should include approximately 2 grams of nutritional fibre.

These vegetables contain glucosinolate, which promotes the development of beneficial microorganisms. This makes them the perfect nourishment for piles sufferers.

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables such as turnips, sweet potatoes, carrots, rutabagas, beets, and potatoes are high in fibre and nutrients.

These vegetables are ideal for eating in mounds. They provide beneficial fibres for digestive health and bowel movement.

According to scientific research, each serving of the aforementioned veggies contains approximately 3 to 5 grams of fibre.

Due to their starch resistance, the carbohydrates in root vegetables quickly move through the digestive tract. Moreover, it supports the growth of intestinal bacteria by feeding them.

Squash

This vibrant vegetable adds flavour and helps digestive health. Squash variations include zucchini, pumpkin, yellow squash, and butternut squash, among others.

Each cup of squash provides approximately 9 grams of fibre, which is ideal for combating haemorrhoids.

Bell Peppers

Peppers belong to the category of vegetables used for piling. It includes about 93% water, which aids in stool softening. This veggie contains nearly 2 grams of fibre.

Those who dislike veggies can examine the fruits for heaps. They include natural sweeteners, making them nutritious and refreshing to consume. Additionally, fruits can be simply consumed for breakfast, before or after meals.

Potatoes

One medium-sized baked sweet potato with skin has 3.8 grams of fibre, while one medium-sized baked potato with skin contains 3.6 grams of fibre. Generally speaking, potatoes contain both soluble and insoluble fibre. Additionally, sweet potatoes have a stronger laxative impact than other vegetables.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are high in fibre and water, easing constipation and facilitating bowel movements. Natural antioxidant naringenin has a laxative impact on a few types of constipation. Consequently, tomato is an additional recommended diet for managing piles.

Beans

Pulses, beans, and peas are exceptionally high in fibre. Half-cooked beans contain 9.6 grams of fibre, while a half-cup of kidney beans contains 5.7 grams.

Broccoli 

Broccoli helps assist digestion since it contains sulforaphane. Constipation can be avoided by consuming 20 grams of raw broccoli sprouts daily for weeks. It decreases stress and speeds up bowel movements. 

Fruits for piles:

Fruits are a great source of dietary fibre as well as other essential nutrients. Eat amla, apples, raisins, prunes, and grapes with their skin. Don’t forget to wash them before consuming them.

Papaya, banana, pomegranate, oranges, and muskmelon are also beneficial fruits for piles. The best time to eat fruits is on empty stomach.

Dry figs are an easy and effective Ayurvedic remedy for piles. Soak some dried figs in warm water overnight, and eat them the first thing in the morning

Read here more on Home Remedies For Piles

Here's a detailed list of fruits to help reduce the risk of piles:

Apples

Apples are the ideal food to consume during piles since they contain pectin, a soluble fibre. This assists bacteria in fermenting and producing short-chain fatty acids.

This assists in hydrating the colon and softening the faeces. Additionally, this lowers the gastrointestinal transition time.

A medium-sized apple has approximately 4.8 grams of fibre.

Prunes

Prunes contain cellulose, which increases the amount of water in faeces. This characteristic makes it a suitable diet for treating piles. The fermentation of these prunes in the colon produces short-chain fatty acids. This raises the weight of the faeces.

Nearly 3 grams of fibre are present per 40-gram serving.

Kiwi

The actinidin in kiwi helps intestinal function and gut health. A single kiwi contains approximately 2.30 grams of fibre. Kiwi can be either raw or blended into a smoothie.

Raspberries

Raspberries are both delicious and nutrient-rich. They contain roughly 85 percent water, which is good for softening stools. Raspberries have 8 grams of fibre per cup. They can be added to cereals and fat-free desserts.

Bananas

Bananas are more accessible and included in the piles treatment foods list. This fruit includes resistant starch and pectins with anti-piles characteristics.

Pectins transform food in the digestive tract into a viscous gel that facilitates the passage of stool. In addition, they nourish healthy gut flora and improve overall gut health. A medium-sized banana provides approximately 3 grams of fibre.

Pears

Pears are perfect for use in smoothies and other beverages. These fruits are high in fibre and chemicals that are beneficial to persons with haemorrhoids. Fructose is an excellent laxative that facilitates bowel movements. A pear contains almost 6 grams of fibre.

These are some helpful, easily accessible, and flavorful fruits for piles patients. However, people with piles should know what foods to avoid.

Dairy products

Ayurved has recommended Takra (buttermilk) and Navaneetam (butter) for piles. Buttermilk is mentioned as one of the best medicines for piles as it pacifies all three doshas and relieves constipation. Buttermilk, being a good source of probiotics, also improves digestion.

Drink a glass of fresh buttermilk with carom seeds and black salt daily after meals to get relief from discomforts caused by the pile.

Oils

Castor oil is well-known for its mild laxative property.

Drink a small teaspoon (about 3 ml) of castor oil with a cup of milk at bedtime. It softens the stool to make it easy to pass and reduces the pressure on the rectal walls and muscles.

Drink sufficient water

Drinking water in a sufficient quantity is as important as eating healthy foods in piles. Water increases the volume of the stool and makes it soft. It also reduces dehydration.

Try to drink six to eight glasses of water daily to avoid dehydration and make the easy passage of stools. Having said this, keep in mind that ayurved suggests drinking water in moderation in piles. Drinking excess water can further disturb digestion and worsen pile problems.

Foods to avoid in Hemorrhoids

ayurved advises avoiding Viruddha ahara (incompatible food combination), Vishtambika ahara (foods that cause indigestion), Guru ahara (difficult to digest foods), Anupa Mamsa (meat of animals residing in water i.e., fish), and Dushta udaka (contaminated water). Intake of these foods disrupts digestion and prevents the proper formation of feces.

As per ayurved, excessive consumption of foods having Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), and Kashaya (astringent) tastes can disturb digestion. Therefore, one should avoid these in piles.

Junk, processed, salted, and deep-fried food items cause moisture loss from the faeces making stools harder. So, it is better to avoid them. 

List Of Foods to Avoid With Hemorrhoids:

Foods Low in Fiber

Low-fibre foods like white rice, white bread, plain pasta, or noodles lead to more straining during defecation as they make stools smaller and hard. Straining raises abdominal pressure, obstructs venous return, makes rectal veins weak, and makes your piles go from bad to worse.

Deep-fried and salty foods like burgers, french fries are hard to digest and can cause bloating to worsen pile symptoms.

Meat

Meat particularly, red meat, processed meat, and fish, are low in fiber, difficult to digest, and contain high sodium. They exacerbate constipation that leads to haemorrhoids.  

Nightshade Vegetables

Potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant lead to dosha imbalance and worsen piles symptoms.

Gassy Foods

Beans like Masha (black gram), pulses, and sprouts are hard to digest, irritate the bowel. They should be used in a minimum quantity that too after proper cooking. 

Foods with Refined Sugar

Avoid products made with refined white flour such as biscuits and cakes, refined cereals like white rice. Foods that are high in refined sugar or carbohydrate and fat irritate the bowel and lead to constipation.

Spicy and Fermented Foods

Avoid spicy foods or other foods that you know can cause constipation or diarrhea. They can increase pain, discomfort, and bleeding associated with piles.

Fermented food items like idli and dosa aggravate Pitta and Vata dosha to make piles worse. So, it is better to avoid or limit their use.

Dairy Products

Except for buttermilk, avoid other dairy products like raw milk, Dahi (curd), paneer, cheese. In piles, digestion is weak, and eating these heavy foods can further complicate things. 

Alcohol and Caffeine

To get relief from piles, avoid alcohol. Alcohol and any beverage containing caffeine like coffee dehydrate your body. Dehydration can cause you to strain during bowel movements increasing pain and discomfort.

Final words on Foods for Piles

Ayurveda emphasizes eating healthy food to treat and prevent recurrence of piles. For this, classical Ayurvedic texts have mentioned the Pathya Apathya of Arshas in detail. Following a fibre-rich piles diet, consuming fresh vegetables and fruits, avoiding processed, junk foods is a key to get fast and long-lasting relief from piles.

References

1. Dhanya P.V et al. Prevention of Arshas with Reference to Lifestyle Changes: Scope In ayurved, Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2014; 2(6): 1-6.
2. Sushrutha: Sushrutha Samhitha with commentary of Dalhana, edited by Vaidya Jadvji Trikamji Acharya, Chowkamba Sanskrit samsthan, Varanasi, reprint 2010, Sutrasthana, Chapter 33, Verse 4, pp - 824, pg - 144.
3. Vagbhata, Astanga Hrudaya, Sarvanga Sundara Commentary of Arunadatta and ayurved Rasayana Commentary of Hemadri, edited by; Pandit Hari SadasivaSastri Paradikara Bhisagacharya, Choukambha Sanskrit samsthan , Varanasi, reprint-2011, Nidanasthana, 7th Chapter, Verse-2, pp- 956, pg -490.
4. Vaidya Lakshmipati Sastri, Yogaratnakara, with Vidyodini Hindi commentary Edited by Bhisagratna Brahmasankar Sastri, Chaukambha Sanskrit Samsthan, Varanasi, Sixth Edition 1997, poorvardha, Arsorogadhikara, pathyapathya-verse 1,2, pp 583, pg 306.
5. Temhunna S, Mishra S, Parida N. An ayurvedic vivechan on arsha vyadhi. Int J Health Sci Res. 2019; 9(7):277-281.
6. Amandeep et al, Causes and Treatment of piles (Arsha): A review, World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, 2018,4(6), 133-135.