Piles or hemorrhoids is a condition that affects the lower rectum or the outer part of the anus. Piles bring with it pain and discomfort during a bowel movement. The main causes of piles are diarrhea and constipation.
Anmol, a travel blogger, suffered from excruciating pain in the rectum. This would continue for hours after passing stools. At times, he also passed blood, along with stools. The pain he described was, “like sharp pins or splinters.” His job as a travel blogger involved frequent traveling – this further aggravated symptoms of piles. So, he had to stay out and eat different food. Often, he used to neglect nature’s call due to which he had constipation. He was prescribed with some medicine for piles based on his symptoms. Besides that, he was also asked to follow a particular diet pattern to prevent constipation and hence piles!
Hence, following a proper diet regime and monitoring food intake is the first step in treating piles. Let us go throw some light on the right food for piles cure.
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Right Food for Piles Cure
There is a lot of information out there regarding the best food for piles. But decision making is difficult when it comes to what to eat and what not to eat. Here are some tips on the right kind of food for piles patient and also what not to eat.
For piles diet and treatment advice, you may consult the Pristyn Care Clinic. You can cure Piles with Pristyn Care at their multi-specialty center using their most advanced technology.
Different kinds of Fiber
There are two main kinds of fibers – soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves easily in water and helps soften the stools that make it easy to pass through the intestine. This prevents constipation. Oatmeal is a good source of soluble fiber.
Insoluble fiber or roughage doesn’t dissolve but some amount of it helps to move unwanted waste out of the body to balance the digestive system. Beans, bran, whole wheat have insoluble fiber in them.
Most of the foods rich in fiber have both types in them. It is important to have only the right quantity of fiber to avoid other problems like Gas. Around 25 to 30 gms are recommended daily.
Lentils, Legumes and Nuts
The lentils and legume family of food will work very well towards curing piles. Just about half a cup of lima beans, kidney beans, black beans will suffice for your daily goal of lentil intake. Legumes also have adequate fiber in them.
Lentils are a regular part of Indian cuisine in the form of dals such as toor dal, moong dal and so on. Plan to include at least one kind of legume in your daily meal.
All kinds of nuts are also recommended. Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, flax seeds, wheatgrass and so on also have enough fiber to ease digestion and prevent constipation. They can be taken as a snack or as part of salads.
Whole grains
Switch from white flour to those of whole grains food to treat piles. Substitute pasta, white bread, biscuits with those made of grain flours, buckwheat, corn or rye. These options will increase the amount of insoluble fiber in your diet.
An interesting fact to note here is that oatmeal and barley have twice the amount of insoluble fiber than a piece of bread of bagel.
Fruits and Vegetables
You can never get enough of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Choose to eat them with skin whenever possible to get the maximum fiber. Fruits and vegetables have flavonoids that are compounds known to control piles and bleeding due to hemorrhoids.
Green leafy vegetables such as cabbage, kale, spinach are great options. Eat them semi-cooked for the best results. Broccoli, sprouts, onions, tomatoes, turnips are all also very good sources of fiber.
One serving of fruit a day is essential to procure the required amount of 10% daily fiber.
Some vegetables and fruits like cucumbers, watermelons, and celery are indirectly a good source of water as well.
Drink more Water
The most understated and ignored aspect of your daily routine is water consumption. Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water a day flushes out toxins from the body and keeps the immune system in good working condition. Enough water makes your bowel movement smooth and regular. Therefore, you do not get constipation and no more straining while passing stool.
Also Read: Liquid Diet for Hemorrhoids: What to drink?
What not to eat for Piles Patients
There are a few things to stay away from if you are suffering from piles:
Avoid Spicy foods
Spicy foods are actually healthy for the body because they contain various essential vitamins and nutrients. Eating spicy foods can upset the stomach and aggravate hemorrhoidal problems further.
Did you know that not only chronic constipation but chronic diarrhea can also contribute to piles? So if you eat a lot of spicy foods, you might get diarrhea and worsen the severity of piles.
Drink very less caffeinated beverages and alcohol
For piles patients, coffee and alcohol are a big no-no! Caffeinated drinks and alcohol dehydrate the body. Hence, excessive consumption will only worsen your hemorrhoids.
You need to keep yourself hydrated enough to ensure you have a regular bowel movement. Also, coffee irritates the stomach. So, if you are in a habit of drinking six to eight cups of coffee in a day, switch it to herbal teas.
Avoid fatty and processed foods as much as you can
If you are a working professional, then it doesn’t leave you with enough time to have or prepare healthy, homemade foods. Hence, after a long day, you don’t feel like cooking. You stock up the cupboards with processed foods that are devoid of any nutrition. The idea of burger and fries for dinner is not a suitable one for people suffering from piles.
It is best to avoid red meat if you have piles
Red meat has a high protein content. The body takes time to digest it properly. If you have bleeding during a bowel movement or feel bloated, then switch to a vegetarian diet for a couple of days.
Limit consumption of dairy products such as cheese, milk and so on
It’s okay if you eat cheese occasionally. You can consume cheese once in a while. But makes sure you don’t eat them in excessive amount. Similar to red meat, these dairy products are difficult to digest and hence, the symptoms of piles only worsen the condition.
If you follow a healthy diet and active lifestyle, you can get rid of piles or at least keep it under control. For any consultation, you may visit Pristyn Care Clinic to find out how to cure piles with Pristyn Care.
Also Read:
- Does Alcohol effect Hemorrhoids?
- Get Rid of Hemorrhoids at Home Fast
- Home Remedies for Piles
*Disclaimer: The content is written and reviewed as per the expertise and knowledge of the author and reviewer. For a final call related to ailment, we highly recommend people to Consult with a Specialized Doctor and take necessary decisions as per the Doctor’s suggestions.
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This article provides a lot of information about what foods to eat in piles. Drinking plenty of water is always a good remedy for piles. I also included fruits and vegetables in my diet which improved the condition of my piles.