We all enjoy eating junk, greasy, and spicy foods even after knowing how adversely these foods could affect our health. With changes in our basic diet, the diseases which were rare in the past, have now become common, and one such disease is piles. About 75% of the Indian population are affected by piles and this is not because of lack of awareness, but due to lack of seriousness.
People may make unhealthy food choices and follow an unhealthy lifestyle, which can increase the risk of piles. Piles are one of the easily preventable and treatable conditions. An easy way to prevent or treat piles is to select the right diet. Read the article to know the best foods for piles or the best diet for hemorrhoids sufferers.
Table Of Contents
About Piles
Piles or hemorrhoids are the inflamed and engorged blood vessels around the anus or near the lower rectal region. Many factors contribute to development of piles but the main cause of piles much pressure on the veins located around the anus or lower rectum. Here are some daily harmless habits that are some of the causes of piles. A painful lump around the anus, painful bowel movement, painless bleeding during a bowel movement, and itching or irritation around the anal region are few symptoms of piles.
The Best Diet for Piles
The main goal of the Indian diet plan for piles is to reduce straining during bowel movement and prevent further complications associated with piles. People who suffer from piles should choose foods that are fiber-rich, as these tend to increase the bulk of stool and promote proper bowel movements, hence preventing and treating piles. The following are considered as good food for piles:
- Leafy vegetables:
These foods are nutritious, and rich in antioxidants and fiber, that are good for stomach health and digestion. Some examples that can be included in your diet are spinach, fenugreek, celery, radish greens, mustard greens etc. - Whole grains:
Whole grains, such as brown rice, oatmeal, bran cereals, whole grain flour, or multi-grain bread are good food for piles. These foods have high fiber content that form stool bulk and promotes bowel movements. - Fresh fruits:
Fresh fruits, especially along with their skin, are a rich source of fibers, vitamins, and minerals. Eating fresh fruits, such as apples, grapes, banana, oranges, improve the digestive health and promote smooth bowel movement. - Sprouts:
Sprouts are rich in fibers, vitamin C, proteins, and calcium. The presence of these nutrients makes sprouts effective food to treat piles. Eating one cup of steamed or boiled sprouts daily helps in managing irritation of the bowel. However, one should not eat raw sprouts, doing so can worsen the symptoms of piles. - Curd or Buttermilk:
Curd or buttermilk are rich in probiotics, which enrich gut microbes and promotes digestive health. Including curd or buttermilk in your daily diet may improve your immunity and gut health, thus, relieving the symptoms of piles. - Water:
The above-mentioned dietary changes may not work unless you consume sufficient water. Water is an important source to break food, absorb nutrients, soften the bowel, prevent constipation, and piles. So, consume at least three to four liters of water daily.
Foods to Avoid
Try avoiding the following foods, as they may increase the risk of piles or may worsen the symptoms of existing piles.
- Foods rich in carbohydrates or fats
- Meat, fish, and eggs
- Caffeinated foods, such as coffee, tea
- Alcohol
- Spicy foods
Now, that you are aware of what foods to eat and what foods to avoid, here is an example of a day’s Indian piles diet plan.
- Breakfast (around 8:00 to 8:30 AM): Have one cup of oats upma and half cup low-fat milk.
- Mid-meal (11:00 to 11:30 AM): Have one cup of plain curd with raw or grilled vegetables.
- Lunch (2:00 to 2:30 PM): Have half cup rice + two medium roti + half cup kidney beans curry + half cup snake gourd curry + half cup buttermilk.
- Evening (4:00 to 4:30 PM): Have three oatmeal or digestive biscuits
- Dinner (8:00 to 8:30 PM): Have two roti with half cup ridge gourd curry.
Remember to stay physically fit and active with whatever diet plan you follow.
Reach us
If you have been suffering from piles and looking for effective treatment, then get in touch with us via email or call us. Our specialist, Dr. Parthasarathy is one of the most renowned surgical gastroenterologists in Hyderabad, India. He has about 15 years of experience and has performed 3000+ advanced laparoscopic procedures, also he performs more than a hundred successful laser surgeries for piles every year.
