5 Foods to Avoid With Hemorrhoids & What to Eat Instead

Hemorrhoids (or piles) are swollen veins that form around the anus.

You usually don’t feel them if they're inside the rectum, but if they're outside the anus, they can be very painful—especially when you try to go to the bathroom. 

A few treatment options can help heal hemorrhoids, including medications and lifestyle and dietary changes. 

Keep reading to learn what foods to avoid while managing hemorrhoids and what you can eat instead.

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5 Foods to Limit With Hemorrhoids & What to Eat Instead

If your hemorrhoids are linked to chronic constipation, you may feel better by limiting your intake of low-fiber foods. 

Most adults need approximately 25-30g of fiber daily, and not getting enough can make it harder to go to the bathroom regularly and cause prolonged straining while on the toilet.

Straining while in the toilet puts pressure on your lower rectum, which can cause or worsen hemorrhoids. 

Below are five foods to limit if you have hemorrhoids.

If you want more personalized recommendations, consider working with a registered dietitian. 

1. Cheese

Cheese contains protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients.

However, it’s not high in fiber and doesn’t help you stay regular.

You can enjoy cheese in moderation (a sprinkle of feta on your salad is OK), but add more fiber-rich ingredients to your meals to optimize your nutritional intake.

To add fiber to your favorite cheese dishes, add vegetables to a grilled cheese sandwich made with whole-grain bread.

You can also choose high-fiber crackers for a simple crackers and cheese snack. 

2. Ultra-Processed Foods

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are heavily refined and carry less nutritional value and fiber than whole or minimally processed items.

Examples of UPFs include:

• Potato chips, french fries, and other deep-fried savory foods. 
• Commercially sold baked goods and desserts, including frozen treats.
• Candies, including packaged “snacks” like fruit roll-ups or fruit gushers. 
• Breakfast cereals with added sugars.
• Instant soups, including ramen or chicken soups. 
• Sweetened beverages, including juices, carbonated drinks, and smoothies. 
• Sweetened dairy products and plant-based alternatives (milk, yogurt, etc.) 

3. Meat

Meat alone doesn’t offer fiber, but it can fit into a balanced meal plan when paired with fiber-rich sides.

For example, add a shredded kale salad to your steak dinner. 

Plant-based proteins are rich in both protein and fiber and are beneficial for your overall health.

Here are some ways to incorporate more plant-based proteins into your meals: 

• Make a lentil soup. 
• Boil a bean-based chili. 
• Roast kidney beans for a salad.
• Add edamame to a stir fry.  
• Spread hummus (chickpea-based spread) on a sandwich or wrap. 
• Combine ground meat and lentils in your red pasta sauce. 

4. Low-fiber Grains

White grains include rice and refined white flour products like bread or pasta.

These foods are fairly low in fiber but can be included in a balanced meal plan. 

The current USDA Nutrition Guidelines recommend that 50% of your carbohydrate intake come from whole grains to help you meet your fiber and nutritional needs. Examples include quinoa, teff, millet, oats, and more. 

5. Prepared Meals and Snacks 

Many prepared snacks and meals are ultra-processed and contain small amounts of fiber.

Examples include: 

• Frozen dinners. 
• Instant mashed potatoes and other sides. 
• Hot dogs and sausages.

What to Eat Instead

Incorporate more fiber into your diet by adding these fiber-rich foods to your meals and snacks more often.

Try gradually increasing your fiber intake over a few weeks so your digestive system can adapt.  

Fruits

Fruits are a great source of fiber and antioxidants and provide energy.

They’re also naturally sweet, which can add a yummy flavor to cereals, yogurts, salads, and other dishes. 

Here’s a quick list of fruits to choose from: 

• Blueberries. 
• Strawberries. 
• Raspberries. 
• Blackberries. 
• Cherries. 
• Apples.
• Plums.
• Pears. 
• Mangos. 
• Guava. 
• Persimmons. 
• Oranges. 

Vegetables

Vegetables are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients that help you stay healthy.

You can enjoy them raw, baked, grilled, or blended into a smoothie. 

Here are some fiber-rich vegetables you can add to meals and snacks: 

• Broccoli. 
• Cauliflower. 
• Carrots. 
• Celery. 
• Kale. 
• Turnips. 
• Snap peas. 
• Beets. 
• Eggplant. 
• Swiss chard. 
• Brussels sprouts. 
• Asparagus. 

Whole-grains 

Whole-grains are rich in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and fiber.

To eat more whole-grains, try serving them as a side dish, using them in salads, or incorporating them into your baking. 

Here are some whole-grain options to try: 

• Teff. 
• Millet. 
• Bulgur. 
• Quinoa. 
• Wheat berries. 
• Brown rice. 
• Wild rice. 
• Oats. 
• Whole-wheat flour for baking. 

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Beans and Legumes

Plant-based proteins are high in fiber and can help you stay regular. 

When buying canned beans, they should be drained and rinsed thoroughly before eating—if you use dehydrated beans, you’ll need to cook them according to the package instructions first. 

Here are some beans and legumes to try: 

• Chickpeas (or Garbanzo beans). 
• Kidney beans. 
• Black beans. 
• White navy beans. 
• White kidney beans. 
• Lentils. 
• Black-eyed peas. 
• Pinto beans. 

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are rich in healthy fats and fiber.

You can add whole seeds to yogurt, cereals, and salads or use nut butter on whole-grain bread and soups.

Aim for plain, unsalted varieties when possible, as flavored products can be heavily processed. 

Here are some nuts and seeds to try: 

• Peanuts. 
• Almonds. 
• Cashews. 
• Pecans. 
• Walnuts. 
• Pistachios. 
• Sunflower seeds. 
• Pumpkin seeds. 
• Chia seeds. 
• Flax seeds. 
• Sesame seeds. 

Other Diet and Lifestyle Tips for Hemorrhoid Management

Other ways to manage hemorrhoids include taking a stool softener to make it easier to go to the bathroom.

This can decrease straining and excessive time spent on the toilet, which are both risk factors for hemorrhoids.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist what product they recommend and how to take it. 

If you’re experiencing discomfort while healing from a hemorrhoid, try soaking in a bathtub (also called a sitz bath).

The warmth can alleviate some pain and itching that are common with hemorrhoids.

It’s okay to take over-the-counter pain relief medication as well.

‍US health authorities suggest ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or naproxen.  

Lastly, avoiding regular heavy lifting is also recommended, as the strain can put pressure on your colon.

Completing exercise therapy with a physiotherapist specializing in colon health may be helpful, and you can ask them how to exercise and move safely without worsening symptoms. 

When to See a Medical Provider

You should seek medical care immediately if you’re experiencing the following symptoms: 

• Bleeding from the rectum (may appear as blood in your stool or on toilet paper after wiping). 
• Discomfort and pain in your abdomen. 
• Diarrhea. 
• Fever. 

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Takeaway

Hemorrhoids are a common occurrence that can be “silent” (having no symptoms) or cause painful tenderness around the anus.

To treat hemorrhoids, it’s recommended that you use a combination of medication, lifestyle, and dietary changes to heal. 

Foods low in fiber can increase the risk of constipation and should be limited in your diet.

These include ultra-processed foods, meat-heavy diets, and a high cheese intake (which replaces other fiber-rich ingredients). 

Fiber-rich foods to eat instead include fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole-grains.  

How a Dietitian Can Help

Medications can clear up small hemorrhoids, but if you’re prone to frequent constipation, they could return.

A gut health dietitian can help you make nutritional changes that could decrease your risk of developing hemorrhoids again. 

At Nourish, all nutrition visits are done remotely to accommodate your schedule.

During your session, your dietitian will review your current lifestyle and dietary habits and recommend personalized nutrition changes that fit your health needs. 

You may not know what to expect if you’ve never met with a dietitian before.

Here are some questions to ask: 

• What are some high-fiber foods I can eat at breakfast?  
• Does overeating cause constipation? 
• What kind of groceries should I buy to support gut health?
• How do I know if I have an unhealthy gut?  

‍Find a dietitian who accepts insurance through Nourish