Hemorrhoids Diet
A Good Diet For Hemorrhoids
There are a number of cures and treatments for hemorrhoids, but a proper diet for hemorrhoids is often all that is needed. Hemorrhoids can be very uncomfortable and even painful, and treatment varies from those things that will keep the hemorrhoids from being irritated, to reducing their size, to removing them surgically.
There are two sets of veins in the lower rectum and near the anus which can become swollen and inflamed. Straining during bowel movements and constipation are considered to be the main causes of hemorrhoids, though pregnancy is also sometimes a factor.
Hemorrhoids can be reduced in size by what are called fixative procedures, they can be removed completely by surgical means, or they can be treated by following a special diet for hemorrhoids which usually results in the swelling eventually dissipating.
Fiber Is The Key - What is a good diet for hemorrhoids? The quick answer might be fiber, fiber, and more fiber. The object is to make the stools softer and bulkier, so they pass through the rectum more easily and consequently do not irritate the hemorrhoids. In fact, the opposite may be true, as softer stools can have a soothing effect on the tissues. Fiber in the diet is also very helpful in lessening the chances for constipation. Constipation not only is a major cause of hemorrhoids, but certainly can serve to make a preexisting condition worse.
A diet for hemorrhoids first and foremost should be a healthy diet. Don't focus on foods which are rich in fiber to the exclusion of other foods which help meet your basic nutritional needs. That really shouldn't be a problem, as many of the fruits and vegetables we eat, as well as whole grain breads and cereals, are high in fiber. What should be avoided are those foods which could cause hard stools, constipation, or excess stomach acid, which could make the problem worse. A good diet for hemorrhoids should provide about 30 grams of fiber each day.
Bran Flakes Top The List - Starting with breakfast, the bran cereals are best but many cereals are fairly rich in fiber, so with a little luck, your favorite cereal may happen to be a good choice. One-half cup of 100% Bran Flakes will provide just over 8 grams of fiber, or a little over a quarter of your daily need. All Bran is just as good, and Raisin Bran provides about half the amount. Other favorite cereals such as Wheaties and Cheerios provide much less, around a gram or two of fiber, but if these are your favorites, keep on eating them, and look for other foods to help make up the difference.
Most Veggies Are Good Sources - Peas, carrots, string beans, broccoli and Brussels sprouts all provide around 2 grams of fiber per serving, and corn yields around 3 grams per serving. If when you eat your potatoes you include the skin, you'll get double the amount of fiber.
Legumes - As Good As Bran - The legumes are where you'll really start getting some benefit however. Cooked beans and lentils all yield about the same amount of fiber per serving as does a bowl of bran flakes, which is to say around 8 grams. A bowl of bran flakes in the morning and a serving of baked beans for lunch will get you half way towards meeting your recommended daily need for fiber. Apples, oranges, pears, and berries, all yielding between 3 and 4 grams of fiber per serving, get you even closer.
If you like spaghetti, consider switching to wheat spaghetti, a cup of wheat spaghetti contains 4 grams of fiber, as opposed to regular egg noodle spaghetti which contains only a gram.
The bottom line, if you usually eat healthy foods, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and include a bowl of cereal in the morning, the chances are you already have a made-to-order diet for hemorrhoids, or can get there without too much of a problem. A fiber supplement could of course help matters along, but if you can get by without the cost of an added supplement, so much the better.