9 Best Foods for Hemorrhoids

Oats, pears and lentils are among the best foods for hemorrhoids because their fiber can help soften stools and make bowel movements easier to pass. Adequate fluids also help; see the best drinks for hemorrhoids for options.

Which 9 foods are best for hemorrhoids?

The AI symptom analyzer can help you organize symptoms, but it cannot diagnose hemorrhoids or rule out another cause of bleeding. Contact a healthcare professional if you have rectal bleeding rather than assuming hemorrhoids are the cause.

These foods provide fiber in forms that can fit into everyday meals. Fiber can help make stools easier to pass, potentially reducing the need to strain, but it does not guarantee relief or replace medical treatment.

A clinical review of hemorrhoid management supports dietary and lifestyle changes for low-grade hemorrhoids. Research has not established that any one food on this list works better than another for hemorrhoids; their benefits are inferred mainly from their fiber content, not from direct trials of each food.

1. Oats

Oats contain soluble fiber, which absorbs water and can help stools retain moisture. They are also easy to add to breakfast if you prefer a soft, warm food.

Try 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal and adjust the portion to your appetite. Add pear or berries for variety, and choose a preparation you enjoy without relying on a large amount of added sugar. Evidence for oats specifically as a hemorrhoid treatment is indirect; the broader recommendation is to include fiber-rich foods.

2. Pears

Pears provide fiber, including fiber in the skin, so an unpeeled pear can contribute more than a peeled one. Their water content also makes them a useful part of a meal or snack, though fruit does not replace drinking enough fluid.

Try 1 medium pear, washed and eaten with the skin if you tolerate it. Slice it into oatmeal or have it alongside a meal. The case for pears is based on their fiber content rather than direct evidence that eating pears treats hemorrhoids.

3. Lentils

Lentils are a convenient source of fiber that can add bulk to stool and support regular bowel movements. They also make a substantial addition to meals without requiring a large serving.

Start with 1/2 cup of cooked lentils in soup, a grain bowl or a salad. If beans and lentils tend to cause gas for you, begin with a smaller amount and increase gradually. Evidence for lentils specifically is indirect: they are a practical way to add dietary fiber, not a proven stand-alone hemorrhoid treatment.

4. Black beans

Black beans provide fiber that can help make bowel movements more regular and easier to pass. Regularity may reduce the temptation to sit and strain when a stool is hard to pass.

Try 1/2 cup of cooked black beans in a rice bowl, salad or tortilla. If you use canned beans, rinsing them can reduce some of their sodium; introduce them slowly if they cause bloating. The studies we found do not show that black beans specifically treat hemorrhoids, but they are a fiber-rich food.

5. Raspberries

Raspberries offer fiber in a small, easy-to-serve portion. Adding them to a meal can increase its fiber without requiring you to change the whole meal.

Try 1/2 cup of raspberries with oatmeal or plain yogurt, or eat them as a snack. Fresh and frozen berries are both options; thaw frozen berries if you prefer a softer texture. The evidence for raspberries and hemorrhoids is indirect, based on their fiber rather than trials showing that the fruit relieves hemorrhoid symptoms.

6. Broccoli

Broccoli provides fiber that contributes to stool bulk. Cooked broccoli may be easier to tolerate than a large serving of raw vegetables if you are just starting to increase fiber.

Try 1/2 cup of cooked broccoli as a side dish or mixed into a grain bowl. Increase the amount gradually if you enjoy it, particularly if it causes gas. Research has not established broccoli as a specific hemorrhoid treatment; it is one option for building a higher-fiber eating pattern.

7. Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes provide fiber, and eating the skin adds to the fiber in the flesh. A baked or roasted sweet potato can be a useful alternative to a refined-grain side dish.

Try 1 small cooked sweet potato, with the skin washed and left on if you like it. Pair it with lentils or beans, but start with modest portions if combining higher-fiber foods causes bloating. The evidence for sweet potatoes is indirect: they can contribute fiber, but studies have not shown them to treat hemorrhoids specifically.

8. Whole-wheat bread

Whole-wheat bread contains more of the grain's fiber-rich parts than bread made mainly from refined flour. Replacing a refined-grain food with a whole-grain version can increase fiber without adding an extra meal.

Try 1 slice of whole-wheat bread with a meal or snack. Check the ingredient list for whole-wheat flour, since a brown color alone does not establish that bread is whole grain. Evidence for this swap comes from the general role of fiber in bowel regularity, not from a trial of whole-wheat bread for hemorrhoids.

9. Prunes

Prunes, or dried plums, contain fiber and sorbitol, which can help some people pass stools more easily. Their effect can be useful when hard stools are a problem, though too much may lead to loose stools or cramping.

Try 2 prunes as a snack and see how you tolerate them before having more. Research has not established prunes as a hemorrhoid treatment; the reason to consider them is their potential effect on bowel movements.

You do not need to eat all nine foods. Choose a few you like, spread them across meals and increase fiber gradually so your digestive system has time to adjust. Drink enough fluid for your needs unless a clinician has advised you to limit fluids.

Which foods should you limit with hemorrhoids?

Limit a pattern of meals dominated by low-fiber foods, especially if you are constipated. Refined white bread, many packaged snack foods and meals made mostly of meat or cheese can leave less room for fiber-rich choices. You do not have to eliminate them: try pairing smaller portions with vegetables, beans, fruit or whole grains.

Pay attention to foods that give you diarrhea or make bowel movements uncomfortable. Repeated loose stools can aggravate the anal area for some people, but triggers vary, so there is no need to ban a food solely because someone else finds it irritating. If a food consistently bothers you, adjust the portion or choose another item from the list.

Fiber works best as part of a broader routine. Avoid straining or sitting on the toilet for long periods, and respond when you feel the urge to have a bowel movement rather than routinely putting it off.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Contact a healthcare professional about rectal bleeding, even if you think you have hemorrhoids. Seek urgent medical care for heavy or ongoing bleeding, fainting or dizziness, black or tarry stools, or severe pain, particularly with fever or significant abdominal pain. An American Gastroenterological Association expert review notes that diagnosing hemorrhoids involves a history and examination; symptoms can have other causes.

Seek medical advice if symptoms persist, worsen or interfere with daily life. Food changes may help with bowel habits, but some hemorrhoids need examination and other treatment.

Ask a clinician before substantially increasing fiber if you have a bowel narrowing, a bowel obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease with a flare, or a prescribed low-fiber diet. If you take warfarin, keep your intake of vitamin K-rich vegetables such as broccoli consistent and discuss changes with your clinician; do not stop medication. During pregnancy, or if a child has symptoms or bleeding, ask a healthcare professional for individualized advice.