Smart Eating for Relief
Experiencing hemorrhoids can be incredibly uncomfortable and distressing for people as they wait for their bodies to heal. While there are several at-home remedies for hemorrhoids and medical treatments for more severe cases, the best way to aid the body and promote healing is to learn how to avoid foods that can cause further irritation.
By eliminating low-fiber and fatty foods from your diet, you can quickly resume a healthy and happy relationship with your gut and digestion. So, be sure to read on to learn five must-avoid foods when dealing with hemorrhoids!
5 Foods to Keep Off Your Plate
1. White Flour
Foods in which white flour is a primary ingredient should be strictly avoided when people are trying to treat their hemorrhoids. Food staples, such as white bread and pasta, contain white flour, which is highly processed and lacks fiber. Depending on an individual’s stomach, this can lead to either constipation or diarrhea, which can irritate hemorrhoids and prolong the healing process.
The gluten found in white flour products can also cause gut irritation and increase the likelihood of diarrhea.
Switching to wholegrain or gluten-free alternatives is a great way to supplement white flour-based products. Wholegrain flour does not undergo the same level of processing, leaving it rich in fiber and natural carbohydrates.
2. Spicy Food
While adding spice to dishes has been proven to have many health benefits, it can cause skin irritation and further discomfort when people are struggling with hemorrhoids. Excessive spice can also unbalance the microbiome of the gut, damaging the stomach lining and causing heartburn.
For those with more sensitive stomachs, digesting spicy food can lead to diarrhea, which will further irritate their hemorrhoids and cause a significant amount of pain. Dieticians advise anyone with hemorrhoids to avoid spicy food and, once recovered, to only consume it when it is accompanied by cream or yogurt, as they can help counteract the irritant properties that cause discomfort.
3. Dairy
Whether in the form of milk, ice cream, cheese or butter, dairy products should be avoided when people are seeking to heal their hemorrhoids. These foods are low in fiber and can subsequently lead to or worsen constipation. In addition, for people who are less tolerant of dairy, high consumption of these products can result in gas production, which can further the discomfort of constipation.
Unfermented dairy products can also promote the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut, damaging the stomach’s natural microbiome and further delaying a return to healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. There are countless dairy substitutes available, such as almond butter or coconut milk, which can safely be consumed while treating hemorrhoids.
4. Processed Food
It is impossible to entirely avoid processed food, given that many dietary staples, such as rice and flour, have to be processed to be digestible. However, highly processed foods, including fast food and sandwich meats, are lacking in the fiber and protein that aid gut health and regular bowel movement.
Processed foods also have incredibly high salt levels. Excessive sodium intake has long been proven to have a negative impact on internal health, but it can be especially harmful when dealing with hemorrhoids. Salt can serve to draw moisture away from the intestines, leading to dehydration and harder stools or even constipation. Therefore, it is best to avoid processed foods and switch to healthier alternatives, such as nuts, if people are still craving salt.
5. Fried Food
Fried food is another food type that always harms the body, regardless of the presence of hemorrhoids. When food is fried, the oil soaks into it, making it harder to digest and disrupting the natural balance of the gut’s biome. These oils also include high quantities of saturated and trans fats, which can irritate the stomach.
As a result, consuming fried food can cause diarrhea and further irritate hemorrhoids. It is better to stick to fresh, organic food, such as brightly colored fruit and leafy greens, when treating hemorrhoids.
Navigating Hemorrhoid Relief
By switching out particular food products for fiber-rich alternatives and temporarily eliminating the consumption of certain meal types, people can quickly resume their regular lifestyle and avoid the discomfort associated with hemorrhoids. While the foods listed here are especially harmful when experiencing hemorrhoids, by continuing to avoid excessive consumption of them, people can significantly improve their internal health and prevent hemorrhoids from returning in the future.
Fiber-rich and organic foods are key to gut health and easy, pain-free digestion. By simply substituting white flour products for their wholegrain counterparts and introducing a form of fermented dairy into their diets, people can quickly establish a healthier, happier relationship with their gut.