How does food help in piles?
Whole foods that are low in fat and high in fiber are good for piles. You need both soluble and insoluble fibers. Soluble fibers such as nuts, peas, lentils, barley, etc., are water-soluble and form a gel-like consistency that can be easily digested. Insoluble fibers such as whole grains, wheat bran, etc., do not dissolve in water and give roughage or bulk to the gut.
Both soluble fiber and insoluble fiber are good for your gut health but these foods should be taken in the right quantity, otherwise, they can cause bloating or gas. It is also important to drink a lot of water to help your body use these fibers.
These foods help in:
- Increasing the stool bulk.
- Reduces transit time in the colon.
- Helps in easy passage of stool.
- Increases the volume of water retention and softens the stool so that it can pass easily.
- Decreases colon pH levels which helps in easy digestion and decreases the transit time of stools from the colon.
Foods that are good for piles
Leafy green vegetables
Leafy vegetables like spinach, celery, radish greens, etc., are high in antioxidants and good for digestion and your gut health. They are nutritious and give weight to your stool and help it to pass through the gut easily.
Legumes
Legumes have various health benefits like they help to lower cholesterol, promote gut health, and are good for diabetes. They are easily available and affordable too. Legumes like lentils, soybeans, beans, chickpeas, peas, etc. are rich in soluble fiber. They provide bulk in the stool and reduce the need to strain during bowel movements.
Whole grains
They are good sources of insoluble fibers that are difficult to digest and add volume to the stool. They help in easy passage of the stool without any discomfort. Oats, corn, barley, quinoa, whole rye, and brown rice, are good for piles. If you are suffering from chronic piles, you can take oatmeal. It contains a soluble fiber known as beta-glucan which is a type of prebiotic that helps in the growth of gut microbiomes, cleanses the digestive tract, and assists smooth excretion of the feces. You can start your day with a hearty oatmeal breakfast.
Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, bok choy, radishes, kale, cabbage, and turnips are known for their anti-cancerous properties. But apart from that, they are also rich in insoluble fibers and encourage regular painless bowel movements. They also feed healthy gut bacteria and improve immunity. Regular consumption of these vegetables can help you to get rid of piles in no time.
Root vegetables
Potatoes, turnips, sweet potatoes, carrots, and beetroots, are power-packed with nutrition, and essential carbohydrates, and are well-balanced with both soluble and insoluble fibers. The good part is that you can even eat these vegetables along with their skin as they contain a lot of nutrition.
Squash vegetables
Squash is a group of vegetables that include butternut, acorn, pumpkin, Hubbard squash, zucchini squash, chayote, etc. These vegetables are fibrous in nature (contain 2 to 9 grams of fiber) and can make the stool soft and bulky for easy movement through the colon.
Fruits
Doctors always advise to include two to three servings of fruits daily in the diet. The best fruit for acute constipation is bananas. It contains about 2.5 grams of fiber, resistant starch, and pectin which is good for gut health and helps in painless bowel movements. If you do not like the taste of ripe bananas, mix them with other fruits and prepare a fruit salad. Alternatively, you can also have a banana milkshake which is very nutritious and filling. Other fruits like apples contain 3-5 grams of fiber and have soluble fibers that grease the digestive tract.
Raspberries have approximately 8 grams of fiber and have almost 85% water content and help in easy passage of the stool without straining. Another fiber-packed fruit is pear. Most of its fiber is in its skin. So, it is best to eat the fruit along with its peel. Both ripe and raw papaya are cleansing agents and are good for chronic constipation.
Nuts and seeds
They are loaded with fibers, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and soluble fat. You can mix some pistachios, peanuts, pecans, hazelnuts, walnuts, and almonds and keep them in a jar. They are very low in calories and contain around 2 to 3 grams of fiber. They are stomach-filling and are healthy options for an evening or mid-day snack. Chia seeds contain 10 grams of fiber per ounce and are very good for constipation. Take half a teaspoon of chia seeds and soak it into your favourite fruit juice, mix it with your smoothie, pudding, or salad.
Fluids
Dehydration can cause constipation. Water keeps your gut healthy, and makes your stool soft and easy to pass through the colon. It prevents hemorrhoidal pain. Infuse some flavour into the water by adding some lemon juice, ginger, and mint leaves, and prepare a smooth summer drink. Drink plenty of fresh fruit juices.
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