6 Foods to Avoid If You Have Hemorrhoids (and 3 to Try Instead)

If you have hemorrhoids (sometimes called “piles”), you know that a hemorrhoid flare can be very uncomfortable. As soon as you feel the itching and pain coming on, you likely break out all your hemorrhoid treatment supplies. 

But did you know that your diet can play a role in how fast you recover from a hemorrhoid flare? Some foods are more likely to irritate your hemorrhoids. And some foods are more likely to calm your hemorrhoids. If you’re experiencing symptoms, here are six foods you want to avoid until you’re feeling better.

1. Refined flour

Refined flour — like white flour — has no bran or germ. These are the parts of the wheat kernel that contain fiber. So refined flour contains very little to no fiber. It’s best to avoid low-fiber foods if you have a hemorrhoid flare. 

Studies have shown that you’re more likely to experience ongoing vein swelling (prolapse) and hemorrhoid bleeding if you don’t get enough fiber in your diet. That’s because low-fiber foods create hard, thick stools that are more difficult to pass without straining. Straining puts pressure on your hemorrhoids, causing them to swell and bleed. 

So until your hemorrhoid flare calms, avoid foods made from refined flour, such as:

• Breads and bagels made from white flour

• Pasta made from white flour

• Pizza crust

• Bakery items like cakes, muffins, and pies

You can swap these items for their whole-grain counterparts, which do contain fiber.

2. Dairy products

Dairy products can be a good source of calcium, vitamin D, and protein. But they don’t contain any fiber. For this reason, dairy products can make your stool harder and more difficult to pass. Straining to pass stools can increase your risk for developing hemorrhoids and also makes them more likely to flare. So while you’re waiting for your hemorrhoids to get better, it might be a good idea to limit dairy.

Popular dairy items include:

• Milk

• Yogurt

• Ice cream

• Cheese

3. Spicy foods

There’s no solid evidence that enjoying spicy foods on occasion can trigger a hemorrhoid flare. But if your hemorrhoids are already inflamed, there are a couple of reasons to cut back the heat until you feel better. 

Spicy foods contain capsaicin, which may not be completely digested by your intestines. As the leftover spice leaves your body in stool, it will pass over your swollen hemorrhoids and may worsen burning and pain. 

Many people with hemorrhoids also develop anal fissures, which are small tears in your anal canal. Anal fissures are extremely painful on their own, and they become even more painful if something irritating, like capsaicin, gets into them. 

4. Alcohol

Alcohol can affect your digestion in a few different ways. First, alcohol consumption can slow down your intestines, making it harder for them to move things along. This can lead to constipation and worsened hemorrhoids.

Alcohol can also lead to constipation because of the way it dehydrates you. It blocks antidiuretic hormone (ADH), making you pee more when you drink alcohol. As you become dehydrated, your colon holds on to more water to make up for that water loss. The result is less water in your stool, which makes your stool harder and more difficult to pass. This can lead to straining and hemorrhoid irritation.

5. Processed meat

Processed meat is a type of ultra-processed food that has been linked to a higher risk of cancer, high cholesterol, and heart disease. In general, you should limit how much processed meat you eat. But if you have a hemorrhoid flare, you should be particularly careful to avoid it. Processed meats don’t contain any fiber, and you want to steer clear of no-fiber foods during a hemorrhoid flare. 

Examples of processed meats include:

• Bacon

• Hot dogs

• Sausage

• Deli meats

• Cured or salted meats

6. Fried, greasy foods

Fried or greasy foods are often highly processed and very low in fiber. This means they can make your stools harder and difficult to pass.

If you’re going out to eat, avoid greasy and fried foods. At home, try swapping frying for baking when preparing your meals. And try to limit fried packaged snacks, like potato chips. 

What are the best foods to eat if you have hemorrhoids?

Now that you know what foods to avoid, you may be wondering what you can eat to help your hemorrhoids heal. The best foods to eat if you have hemorrhoids are high-fiber foods. That’s because fiber makes your stools easier to pass without straining. This gives swollen veins a chance to shrink and heal. 

A hemorrhoid-friendly diet doesn’t have to be complicated. There are plenty of great-tasting, familiar food options that are high in fiber and can help you heal faster — and prevent hemorrhoids from developing in the future. 

The following foods don’t have to be the only thing you eat in a day. But if they’re not a regular part of your daily diet, consider adding them. They’re a great way to help you meet your daily fiber goal, which is approximately 14 g per every 1,000 calories per day. This amounts to approximately:

• 25 g per day for women

• 38 g per day for men

How to prevent hemorrhoids

There are practical steps you can take to help prevent hemorrhoids, and they mostly come down to reducing pressure and irritation in the rectal area. Try to:

• Keep stools soft and regular by eating enough fiber, drinking enough water daily. If you’re not used to a lot of fiber in your diet, increase your consumption gradually. A sudden increase in fiber can actually cause constipation.

• Avoid straining or pushing during bowel movements.

• Stay physically active, since regular movement helps prevent constipation, and keeps your bowels functioning well.

• Avoid sitting too long, since prolonged sitting — whether on the toilet or in a chair — can increase rectal vein pressure. 

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Written by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Edited by:

Meredith Hoffa

Meredith Hoffa is a senior health editor at GoodRx, where she leads journalists and clinicians covering various well-being topics, particularly in diet and nutrition.

Reviewed by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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