Hemorrhoids and your diet
Eating a balanced diet by following the Food Guide Pyramid guidelines is an important first step towards good eating habits. However, in order to maximize your success, you should limit your fat intake, drink plenty of water and eat fiber-rich foods. Keeping hemorrhoids away by eating healthy is an obtainable goal.
Limit your fat intake
Fat has twice the amount of calories compared to protein and carbohydrate, the other two energy nutrients. Therefore, it’s important to limit the amount of fat in your diet and choose lower fat alternatives. For instance, choose skim milk or low fat cheeses. When cooking, try to broil or bake instead of frying foods. If you must fry, use olive oil instead of other unhealthy oils. One drawback of reducing your fat intake is there are fewer flavors in the foods. Try adding some spices when cooking, such as garlic or onion powder for flavor and use less salt.
Drink plenty of water
Drink at least six to eight glasses of water daily. Water helps to transport nutrients, removes wastes and regulates body temperature. Water lubricates the digestive system and helps soften stool. Water gives you a feeling of fullness, and you might not reach for that extra serving of food if you have a glass of water with your meal.
Increase your fiber intake
Many of us do not get enough fiber in our diets. Fiber helps keep your digestive tract healthy. Foods that contain fiber are usually low in calories. Only foods that come from plants contain fiber. Besides fruits, here are some other plant foods that provide fiber: vegetables, whole‑grain breads, whole‑grain cereals, dry beans, dry peas, nuts and seeds. Read the labels on the boxes to stay away from the products that are loaded with sugar. By making small changes in your diet, it’s easy to incorporate more fiber everyday. For instance, try having a banana or an apple as a mid‑morning or mid‑afternoon snack. Add mixed vegetables to your casseroles. Create a platter of raw vegetables which can be bought ready-to-eat at markets and dip into your low-calorie dressing.
