
Foods To Avoid In Piles: 5 Foods To Avoid With Hemorrhoids
During piles, what you eat makes a significant impact on your recovery. When piles occur, it disturbs the digestive metabolism and make your bowel movements irregular.
This can cause hardening of the stool, constipation, and swelling of the nerves.
Therefore, I recommend that you eat food that doesn’t trigger your stomach and affect your digestion.
I am Dr Pooja Verma, and during my ayurvedic journey, I have treated several patients with piles.
Today I will share my experience about the same, about foods to avoid with hemorrhoids and how you can take care of yourself during piles for better and quicker relief.
5 Foods to Avoid With Hemorrhoids
Consumption of a low-fiber diet is one of the major causes behind the hardening of stool, constipation, and swelling of tissues in the inner or outer area of the anus, along with a burning sensation and irritation, let’s check out those low-fiber 5 foods to avoid with hemorrhoids:
Apart from knowing those 5 foods to avoid with hemorrhoids, it is necessary to check the causes of avoiding such foods:
1. Spicy and Processed Foods
With the increasing intake of spicy foods, anything cooked in the microwave becomes difficult to digest. Such food items cause blockages and tightening in the intestines.
As a result, it makes it difficult for the stool or poo to pass through. Such food items are often found in roadside restaurants.
These food items may taste good but generate toxins in the intestines and cause irritation, bleeding and itching through the anal canal during stool discharge.
Avoid this |
Eat this Instead |
Red chilli-based curries |
Mild dal, vegetable khichdi, lauki/sabzi curry |
Spicy pickles & sauces |
Homemade curd, plain lemon juice with jeera |
Fried snacks |
Roasted chana, unsalted nuts, baked snacks |
White bread, noodles |
Whole grain roti, oats, daliya, brown rice |
Frozen/processed foods |
Fresh home-cooked meals with green vegetables |
2. Dairy Products
Regular intake of milk, cheese and other dairy products does not make the person better. Such milk products cause disturbance in the stomach in the form of gas.
Dairy products are indeed harmful foods to avoid with external hemorrhoids and internal also for managing constipation or any form of anal disorder.
But then you can consume buttermilk and curd in moderate amounts to relief from stomach pain in the stomach. It helps in activating the bacteria to boost easy stool discharge.
Avoid this |
Eat this Instead |
Full-fat milk |
Low-fat or skimmed milk |
Processed cheese |
Fresh homemade paneer (in moderation) |
Butter & cream (large amounts) |
Use small amounts of ghee or cold-pressed oils |
Ice cream & flavoured shakes |
Plain yoghurt or homemade buttermilk |
Sweetened yogurt |
Unsweetened natural yoghurt |
Condensed milk sweets |
Fresh fruits or milk-based desserts with less sugar |
3. Fatty, Sugary and Salty Food
Unaware of the future consequences, we eat food from outside dhabas or restaurants enriched with fatty, sugary and salty items.
These foods are cooked in unhygienic conditions and are loaded with harmful chemicals.
After consuming these food items, we get into trouble with our stomachs by struggling with gas and bloating.
Pakoras, samosas, and vadas may suit the taste of your tongue, but these fried items go inside and disturb the digestive system.
Starch-rich ingredients like maida, baking soda and potato used for preparing different deep-fried items harden the stool. Because food items do not have enough water content.
Avoid this |
Eat this Instead |
Deep-fried and oily snacks |
Roasted snacks, puffed rice, steamed dhokla |
Cakes and sugary sweets |
Fresh fruits, dates, and jaggery in small amounts |
Soft drinks and sweet beverages |
Coconut water, lemon water, and unsweetened herbal tea |
Salt-heavy foods and snacks |
Homemade soups, lightly salted veggie dishes |
Pizza and burgers |
Whole wheat roti with sabzi, vegetable khichdi |
4. Red Meat
People often eat salami and sausages made from red meat, and it does harden the stool. Red meat is not a soft meat like chicken and fish. It often becomes difficult to chew and eat the items.
Once it reaches the intestine, it does not get digested so easily. It gets collected in the form of waste in the lower anal canal and the person has to face difficulty in discharging the stool. And so it is one of the 5 foods to avoid with hemorrhoids.
Avoid This |
Eat This Instead |
Mutton, beef, pork |
Moong dal, masoor dal, chana dal |
Sausages, salami |
Homemade paneer (moderate), tofu, sprouts |
Heavy meat curries |
Steamed/boiled lentils with mild spices |
Fried red meat dishes |
Lightly sautéed or boiled vegetables with legumes |
Meat with white rice |
Mixed veg daliya, brown rice with dal or sabzi |
5. Low fibre foods
Eating foods with lower fibre intake makes stools hard and dry, causing pain, bleeding, and strain during bowel movements, all of which can worsen piles.
Consuming such food slows down the movement of waste through your gut. The longer the stool sits in the colon, the more water it loses, making it even drier and tougher to pass.
Avoiding low-fibre, refined foods (white bread, white rice, cookies, instant noodles, etc.) and replacing them with high-fibre choices can help you recover faster from piles.
Avoid This |
Eat This Instead |
White bread, maida roti |
Whole wheat roti, multigrain bread |
White rice |
Brown rice, red rice, or vegetable khichdi |
Maida pasta or noodles |
Whole wheat pasta, millet-based noodles |
Sugar-coated cereals |
Rolled oats, muesli with fruits, and soaked chia seeds |
Cookies and bakery items |
Homemade laddoos with jaggery, dates, and dry fruits |
Summary of foods to avoid with Hemorrhoids
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Intake of tea, coffee or any caffeinated beverage and alcohol.
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Spicy food is prepared in a microwave oven and with different processing techniques.
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Milk products
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Fried items and high-fat, sugary and salty food items.
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Consumption of red meat.
What Else Needs to be Done to Control Hemorrhoids?
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Take regular sitz baths by sitting in a tub with warm water for at least 15–20 minutes, twice a day.
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Engage in daily physical activity like walking, yoga, or light exercises to improve digestion and prevent constipation.
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Avoid straining during bowel movements. Let the stool pass naturally without forcing it.
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Consider using Ayurvedic medicines for managing piles. It can help reduce swelling, improve bowel movement, and promote healing.
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Follow some home remedies for symptom relief, like applying coconut oil, using witch hazel, or drinking warm water with honey and lemon.
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Stick to a piles-friendly diet that includes high-fibre foods, plenty of water, and avoidance of spicy or processed foods.
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Do not hesitate or shy away from discussing the problem with your family members and doctor.
If you are searching for ayurvedic ways to get piles relief, consider taking Dr. Piles Free that you can buy to get recovered from all types of problems arising from the anal area.
The presence of herbs like kutaj, nag kesar, Tamra bhasma and vidanga in capsules, powder for oral purposes and oil for local application of this ayurvedic pack will help in:
Summary
A strong and healthy working digestive system is essential for piles recovery. It will not work properly if we are not developing healthy food habits and not doing regular exercise.
Most of us suffer from constipation and piles regularly. It is difficult to carry on with our studies and work if we do not discharge our bowels properly and at the right time. Ignoring it can harden the stool.
Later, when we struggle to pass the stool, we suffer from inflammatory, itching, painful and swollen tissues.
There is a need to control or even avoid starchy, salty and sugary fried foods, dairy products and red meat.
With Ayurvedic medicine for piles, you will attain faster recovery. This is how we can combat constipation and piles and stay healthy.
FAQs
What food shrinks hemorrhoids fast?
Food that is hydrating, anti-inflammatory and rich in fibres can help in shrinking the hemorrhoids faster. Some of these food items are Broccoli, Beans, peas and lentils, Grains and cereals enriched with bran, Turnips or any form of root vegetables. Drinking sufficient amounts of water during such times also helps it shrink afterwards.
Is rice good for piles?
Rice is low in fibre, and it’s generally advised to avoid such low fibre food as it can worsen constipation, making piles symptoms worse. Instead, you can opt for brown rice or other whole grains, which are higher in fibre and support smoother bowel movements.
Is milk good for piles?
Milk can lead to constipation or bloating in some people, which can worsen piles symptoms. It's best to limit full-fat dairy and choose buttermilk or plant-based alternatives like almond milk for better digestion.
Which fruit is not good for piles?
Unripe bananas and citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons may irritate the digestive tract or cause acidity, which can worsen piles. It’s good to choose ripe, fibre-rich fruits like papaya, apples, or pears for relief.
What are the top bleeding hemorrhoids foods to avoid?
When dealing with bleeding hemorrhoids, it's important to avoid foods that can lead to constipation, inflammation, or strain during bowel movements. Avoid consuming foods such as Mutton and beef, processed food items like chips and pizza, to prevent worsening the condition and delay in healing.
References
- Mayo Clinic. Hemorrhoids: Symptoms and causes [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2023 [cited 2025 May 20]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/symptoms-causes/syc-20360268
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hemorrhoids [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): NIDDK; [cited 2025 May 20]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/hemorrhoids
- Cleveland Clinic. Hemorrhoids [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 2023 [cited 2025 May 20]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9357-hemorrhoids
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Hemorrhoids [Internet]. Arlington (VA): ASCRS; [cited 2025 May 20]. Available from: https://fascrs.org/patients/disease-condition/hemorrhoids
- WebMD. Understanding Hemorrhoids – The Basics [Internet]. New York: WebMD LLC; [cited 2025 May 20]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-hemorrhoids-basic-information
- Harvard Health Publishing. The right diet for constipation [Internet]. Boston (MA): Harvard Medical School; [cited 2025 May 20]. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-right-diet-for-constipation

Dr. Pooja Verma
Dr. Pooja Verma is a sincere General Ayurvedic Physician who holds a BAMS degree with an interest in healing people holistically. She makes tailor-made treatment plans for a patient based on the blend of Ayurveda and modern science. She specializes in the treatment of diabetes, joint pains, arthritis, piles, and age-related mobility issues.