Best Diet Chart For Piles Patient

Mr. Alokesh (50-years-old) lives in Indore and works in the education department. Over the past few days, Mr. Alokesh noticed some changes in his bowel movement, along with some pain and irritation. He also experienced some difficulties while pooping. Initially, he ignored it but when he noticed some blood on his stool; he rushed to a doctor. After diagnosing, the doctor told him he has hemorrhoids and prescribed some medications to treat the condition. Though Mr. Alokesh’s hemorrhoids or piles are not significant, still he advised him to focus on a special diet chart for piles patients.

What are Piles or Hemorrhoids?

Piles are swollen and inflamed tissues that are usually found in the anal area. These piles can be internal or external and the sizes may also vary. Internal piles are generally located between 2 and 4 centimeters (cm) above the opening of the anus, and these piles are very common among people. On the other hand, external piles are found on the outer edge of the anus.

Piles can be classified into four grades and they are:

Grade I: These are tiny swellings that are commonly found in the lining of the anus. These piles are not visible.

Grade II: Though these piles are larger than the grade I pile, still, they remain inside the anus. They may get thrown out during pooping, but they will return unaided.

Grade III: These piles are called prolapsed hemorrhoids, and they are usually found on the outer area of the anus. Though they can be comfortably re-inserted, they used to hang from the rectum.

Grade IV: These piles need treatment and you can’t push them back inside. These are large and usually located outside of the anus. External piles are small lumps on the outer edge of your anus. They are very painful and itchy.

As per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, nearly 50% of adults over 50 years usually deal with hemorrhoids at some point.

Also Read: 11 Tips for Treating Hemorrhoids At Home Naturally

How Effective is a Diet Chart for Piles Patients?

Though the markets are crammed with various medications and topical anti-hemorrhoids cream that will help you to deal with your piles, still diet plays a pivotal role in controlling the symptoms of piles. Your diet should contain more high fiber, low-fat and whole foods to lessen or prevent the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Several experts also believed that people who have piles should consume at least 14 grams (g) of fiber for every 1,000 calories they consume. Because fiber enhances stool weight and water retention in the colon.

Which Foods Are Ideal If You Have Piles?

1. Legumes

Legumes are the edible seeds of plants that belong to the Fabaceae family. Legumes are beans, lentils, peas, soybeans, peanuts, and chickpeas. They are rich in both types of fiber, especially rich in the soluble type. For example, 1 cup (198 grams) of cooked lentils contains nearly 16 grams of fiber. Legumes will enhance the volume of your stool and you may have less strain while pooping. Thus, they are useful in preventing hemorrhoids or easing symptoms 

2. Whole Grains

Whole grains are amazing sources of insoluble fiber. They improve your digestion along and thus, reduce your pain and discomfort related to piles. Whole grain items are barley, corn, spelt, quinoa, brown rice, whole rye, and oats. If you try to minimize the symptoms of piles, you must incorporate oatmeal into your diet. Because it comes with a specific soluble fiber called beta-glucan that is useful for your gut microbiome. This component is used to act as a prebiotic. Prebiotics feed all friendly gut bacteria.

3. Prunes

Prunes are dried plums that are high in fiber. A half-cup of stewed prunes contains nearly 3.8 grams of fiber. Dried prunes will also give you a feeling of fullness. This means you will not eat frequently. This is beneficial in controlling both constipation and obesity, which will enhance your risk for hemorrhoids. Prunes are also rich in phenols that will act as an antibacterial agent in the gastrointestinal system and thus, minimize the risk of infection.

4. Root Vegetables

Root vegetables are sweet potatoes, turnips, beets, rutabagas, carrots, and potatoes that are packed with highly nutritious ingredients. They contain high gut-healthy fiber and you will get 3–5 grams of fiber per serving. You may roast, steam, sauté or boil these root vegetables and include them in your diet.

5. Pears

Pears are rich in fiber and other compounds that are beneficial for people who are dealing with hemorrhoids. A pear skin contains around 6 grams of fiber. Pears also come up with fructose that can act as a natural laxative.

6. Berries

 Berries like raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries contain a lot of fiber per serving. A 100 g serving of raspberries contains nearly 6.5 grams of fiber. Since berries contain a lot of water, hence they soften stools and smooth your digestive system. They also have a natural laxative called fructose.

Food Chart for Piles Patient

Let’s take a look at the piles patient diet chart.

• Breakfast: You can start your day with a bowl of vegetable upma with skimmed milk/ idlis with sambar/ brown bread/ poha with vegetables/ uttapams/ methi paratha/ chapatis
• Mid Meal: Yogurt with vegetables/ green gram sprouts 1 cup/1 cup fruits/lentil soup
• Lunch: For lunch, you can take rice or chapatis with chicken curry and cabbage curry/ chapatis with curry/ vegetable pulao with soya chunk curry
• Evening Snack: Biscuits/fruits/boiled chana (1 cup)/ Brown rice flakes poha (1 cup)
• Dinner: you can take idlis (4) with sambar/ wheat dosa/ chapatis (2) with curry/ Broken wheat upma (1 cup) with sabzi

Don’ts in Diet Plan in Piles Problem

• Discard spicy and hot curries
• Don’t use laxatives regularly
• Avoid too much coffee and alcohol
• Don’t sit in the toilet for a prolonged time
• Don’t strain for stools.
• Don’t sit for a long time, take breaks and move around periodically.

Also Read:  Food To Avoid In Piles – 9 Of The Worst Foods For Piles

The Bottom Line

Hemorrhoids or piles will give you a ton of pain and discomfort. Though certain food items may aggravate your symptoms, others can be highly beneficial to managing the symptoms. Always enhance your fiber intake to reduce the symptoms and stay hydrated with plenty of water.