In the absence of complications, treatment usually
involves over-the-counter corticosteroid creams that
can reduce the pain and swelling of hemorrhoids and
bathing in tubs with warmwaterto ease painful peria-
nal conditions. Another important step in treating
hemorrhoids is to relieve anal pressure and straining.
This can often be done by controlling constipation
with ahigh-fiber diet.
DescriptionFoods that are high infiberhave been shown to
help in the treatment of constipation and hemor-
rhoids. The American Academy of Family Physicians
recommends the following simpledietary guidelines
to prevent or lower hemorrhoids symptoms:
Eating at least 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables each
day.
Replacing white bread with whole-grain breads and
cereals.
Eating bran cereal for breakfast.
Adding 1/4 cup of wheat bran (Miller’s bran) to
foods such as cooked cereal or applesauce or meat
loaf. (This advice is contrary to other experts and
organisations who advise against this practice as it
can make constipation worse.)
Eating cooked beans each week.
In its most recent 2005 public health recommen-
dations for dietary fiber, the National Academy of
Sciences established an Adequate Intake (AI) level of
38g of total daily fiber for males 19–50 years of age and
25g for women in this same age range. The following
foods are excellent sources of dietary fiber and can be
included as part of a hemorrhoid diet:
cinnamon, ground, 2 tsp (2.5g)
turnip greens, cooked, 1 cup (5.0g)
basil, dried, ground, 2 tsp (1.2g)
coriander seeds, 2 tsp (1.4g)
oregano, dried, ground, 2 tsp (1.3g)
raspberries, 1 cup (8.3g)
thyme, dried, ground, 2 tsp (1.1g)
mustard greens, boiled, 1 cup (2.8g)
rosemary, dried, 2 tsp (0.9g)
romaine lettuce, 2 cups (1.9g)
cauliflower, boiled, 1 cup (3.4g)
collard greens, boiled, 1 cup (5.3g)
broccoli, steamed, 1 cup (4.7g)
cloves, dried, ground, 2 tsp (1.5g)
celery, raw, 1 cup (2.0g)
swiss chard, boiled, 1 cup (3.7g)
cabbage, shredded, boiled, 1 cup (3.5g)
spinach, boiled, 1 cup (4.3g)
chili pepper, dried, 2 tsp (2.6g)
black pepper, 2 tsp (1.1g)
fennel, raw, sliced, 1 cup (2.7g)
green beans, boiled, 1 cup (4.0g)
eggplant, cooked, 1 cup (2.5g)
cayenne pepper, dried, 2 tsp (1.0g)
cranberries, 1/2 cup (2.0g)
strawberries, 1 cup (3.3g)
bell peppers, red, raw, 1 cup (1.8g)
winter squash, baked, 1 cup (5.7g)
kale, boiled, 1 cup (2.6g)
split peas, cooked, 1 cup (16.3g)
summer squash, cooked, 1 cup (2.5g)
carrots, raw, 1 cup (3.7g)
lentils, cooked, 1 cup (15.6g)
brussel sprouts, boiled, 1 cup (4.1g)
asparagus, boiled, 1 cup (2.9g)
black beans, cooked, 1 cup (15.0g)
green peas, boiled, 1 cup (8.8g)
pinto beans, cooked, 1 cup (14.7g)
cucumbers, slices, with peel, 1 cup (0.8g)
lima beans, cooked, 1 cup (13.2g)
turmeric, powder, 2 tsp (1.0g)
flaxseeds, 2 tbs (5.4g)
kiwifruit, 1 each (2.6g)
wheat, bulgur, cooked, 1 cup (8.2g)
tomato, ripe, 1 cup (2.0g)
oranges, 1 each (3.1g)
kidney beans, cooked, 1 cup (11.3g)
barley, cooked, 1 cup (13.6g)
apricots, 1 each (0.8g)
blueberries, 1 cup (3.9g)
onions, raw, 1 cup (2.9g)
chickpeas, 1 cup (12.5g)
papaya, 1 each (5.5g)
apples, 1 each (3.7g)
grapefruit, 1/2 (1.7g)
beets, boiled, 1 cup (3.4g)
navy beans, cooked, 1 cup (11.7g)
rye, whole grain, uncooked, 1/3 cup (8.2g)
pear, 1 each, (4.0g)
soybeans, cooked, 1 cup (10.3g)
yam, cubed, cooked, 1 cup (5.3g)
sweet potato, baked, with skin, 1 each (3.1g)Hemorrhoids