25 Best Foods for Hemorrhoids (And Why They Actually Work)
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| 25 Best Foods for Hemorrhoids (And Why They Actually Work) |
Personally Researched | Last Updated: July 2026 | Based on Clinical Studies & Personal Experience.
Nobody really wants to talk about Hemorrhoids.
You suffer quietly, you search in private, and you hope nobody notices the extra cushion you've been sitting on at work.
But here's the truth — hemorrhoids are extraordinarily common, they're painful, and for most people, what's sitting on their plate three times a day has more to do with their suffering than anything else.
This isn't a clinical list.
This is the honest guide someone should have handed you the moment your doctor said those words you didn't want to hear.
Food Won't Fix Everything — But It Fixes More Than You Think
Before we get into the list, let's be straight about something.
No food is going to make your hemorrhoids disappear overnight.
If someone promises you that, they're lying.
What food can do — genuinely, measurably, consistently — is change the conditions inside your body that make hemorrhoids so painful and so persistent.
Hemorrhoids flare up when you strain. You strain when your stools are hard and dry.
Your stools become hard and dry when your diet is working against your digestive system instead of with it.
Fix the diet, fix the straining.
Fix the straining, and you've removed the single biggest trigger keeping your hemorrhoids angry.
It really does start at the dinner table.
💡 Curious if a sitz bath is worth adding to your routine? We cover the evidence in Do Sitz Baths Really Work for Hemorrhoid Pain?
The 25 Best Foods for Hemorrhoids
1. Oatmeal
There's a reason oatmeal has been a breakfast staple for centuries.
It contains beta-glucan — a soluble fiber that doesn't just pass through your system, it transforms inside your intestines into a soft, slow-moving gel that carries everything along with it gently and without force.
A warm bowl of oatmeal in the morning is one of the quietest, most underestimated things you can do for your digestive health.
It sets the tone for the entire day.
Muscle Feast Whole Oat Powder
8 lb · 90 servings · Unflavored, low glycemic index
⭐ Trusted supplement brand · Muscle Feast
Oats are one of the best-known sources of soluble fiber, particularly beta-glucan, which helps soften stool and support more regular bowel movements without the harsh straining that aggravates hemorrhoids.
Because this is ground from whole oats rather than an isolated extract, it keeps that fiber intact and blends easily into smoothies, pancake batter, or overnight oats for an extra boost beyond a regular bowl of oatmeal. Being unflavored also makes it flexible to add into savory or sweet recipes alike.
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2. Prunes
Prunes have an image problem.
They're associated with elderly people and hospital breakfasts and jokes nobody laughs at.
But strip all that away, and what you have is one of the most effective natural constipation remedies that exists.
Prunes contain sorbitol — a compound that draws water directly into your intestines — alongside a generous amount of fiber.
Four or five prunes a day can quietly transform your mornings within just a few days. Give them a chance before you dismiss them.
Mariani Family Pitted Prunes, Family Size
32 oz (2 lb) · Good source of fiber · Real fruit, no pits
⭐ Trusted dried fruit brand · Mariani, est. 1906
If there's one food most consistently recommended for constipation and hemorrhoid relief, it's prunes — they combine fiber with sorbitol, a natural sugar alcohol that draws water into the intestines and has a genuine, well-studied laxative effect. That combination makes stools both bulkier and softer, which is exactly the goal when trying to avoid straining. A handful a day as a snack, or blended into a smoothie, is a simple habit with some of the best evidence behind it on this whole list.
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3. Pears
The humble pear doesn't get nearly enough credit.
One medium pear, eaten with its skin on, delivers around five to six grams of fiber — more than most people get from an entire meal.
It's also mostly water, which means it's hydrating you and feeding your digestion at the same time.
Eat one in the afternoon when hunger strikes and you'd otherwise reach for something that would only make things worse.
Amazon Grocery Pear Slices in Pear Juice (4-Pack)
15 oz cans · In pear juice from concentrate · Non-GMO Project Verified
⭐ Amazon Grocery store brand
Pears are naturally high in both fiber and sorbitol, a combination similar to prunes that's genuinely useful for softening stool and easing constipation. It's worth noting that canned, peeled pear slices carry less fiber than a fresh pear eaten with the skin on, so think of these as a convenient backup rather than the top pick — useful for a shelf-stable snack or dessert topping when fresh pears aren't on hand. Packed in pear juice rather than heavy syrup keeps added sugar lower than many canned fruit options.
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4. Apples
An apple a day keeping the doctor away is a cliché, but when it comes to hemorrhoids, there's genuine truth buried in it.
Apples are rich in pectin — a soluble fiber that forms a thick, protective gel in your digestive tract, keeping stools soft and bulky without turning them loose.
The skin is where most of the fiber lives.
Don't peel it.
Schvubenr Stainless Steel Apple Slicer & Corer
8-blade design · One-push slicing & coring · Lifetime warranty
⭐ Kitchen tool favorite for fast fruit prep
Most of an apple's fiber sits in and just under the skin, so eating it whole rather than peeled makes a real difference for how much fiber you're actually getting. This slicer removes the core and cuts the apple into even wedges in a single push, which makes it much more appealing to grab a whole apple as a snack instead of skipping it because cutting one by hand feels like a hassle. Keeping this on the counter next to a bowl of apples is a small, practical nudge toward a habit that genuinely supports softer, easier bowel movements.
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5. Lentils
Lentils are quietly one of the most powerful foods on this entire list.
One cup of cooked lentils gives you around fifteen grams of fiber — more than half of what your body needs in an entire day, in a single serving.
They're also cheap, filling, and remarkably versatile.
A simple lentil soup made on a Sunday evening can feed you lunch for half the week.
For something so ordinary and inexpensive, lentils do extraordinary things for your gut.
Amazon Grocery Lentils
16 oz (1 lb) · Excellent source of fiber · Non-GMO Project Verified
⭐ Amazon Grocery store brand
Lentils are one of the most fiber-dense foods you can easily add to a weekly routine, packing both soluble and insoluble fiber along with plant-based protein into every serving. That fiber load helps bulk up and soften stool, making bowel movements easier to pass without the straining that worsens hemorrhoids. They cook quickly without soaking, making them a practical base for soups, stews, or a simple side, so getting a genuinely high-fiber meal on the table doesn't take much extra effort.
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6. Black Beans
Black beans carry the same impressive fiber content as lentils and add something extra — resistant starch, which feeds the beneficial bacteria living in your gut.
A healthy gut microbiome isn't just a wellness buzzword.
It translates directly into more regular, more comfortable bowel movements.
Think of black beans as feeding your digestive system from two directions at once.
Amazon Grocery Black Beans
15.25 oz can · Good source of fiber · Non-BPA liner
⭐ Amazon Grocery store brand
Black beans pack a substantial amount of fiber into a single serving, helping bulk up and soften stool for easier, less-strained bowel movements. Canned beans make this an especially low-effort way to add fiber to a meal — just rinse and add to a salad, rice bowl, or soup. One practical note: beans can cause gas and bloating for some people, so if you're not used to eating them regularly, it's worth building up your intake gradually rather than adding a large serving all at once.
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7. Broccoli
Broccoli is the vegetable everyone knows they should eat more of and somehow never quite gets around to.
For hemorrhoid sufferers specifically, it earns its place here not just for its fiber but for sulforaphane — a compound with genuine anti-inflammatory properties.
Hemorrhoids are, at their core, inflamed tissue.
Every anti-inflammatory food you eat is quietly working in your favor.
Steam broccoli lightly rather than boiling it to death — you want the nutrients to survive the cooking process.
BulkSupplements.com Organic Broccoli Powder
1kg · 5g per serving · 200 servings · USDA Organic, unflavored
⭐ Trusted supplement brand · BulkSupplements.com
Made from dried whole broccoli rather than a heavily processed extract, this powder retains more of the fiber and nutrients you'd get from the fresh vegetable, though a spoonful still isn't a true substitute for eating a full serving of broccoli. It's a practical way to work extra fiber and cruciferous-vegetable nutrients into a smoothie or shake on days when cooking a vegetable side just isn't happening. Best used as a supplement to whole broccoli and other fiber-rich foods, not a replacement for them.
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8. Spinach
Spinach is one of those vegetables that does several things well simultaneously.
It contains fiber, it has a high water content, and it's rich in magnesium.
It's a mineral that gently relaxes the muscles in your intestinal walls, making bowel movements easier and more natural.
The remarkable thing about spinach is how easy it is to eat large amounts of it without noticing.
A handful in a smoothie, wilted into pasta, folded into eggs — it disappears into almost any meal.
BulkSupplements.com Organic Spinach Extract Powder
1kg · 500mg per serving · 2,000 servings · USDA Organic
⭐ Trusted supplement brand · BulkSupplements.com
Worth being upfront about: this is a concentrated extract, so most of the bulky fiber that whole spinach leaves provide gets left behind in processing. What it does offer is a convenient way to add extra micronutrients like iron, magnesium, and antioxidants to a smoothie or shake without needing fresh spinach on hand. Think of it as a nutrient booster on top of your fiber-rich foods, not a substitute for the whole leafy greens on this list.
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9. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are genuinely one of the most complete foods you can eat when your digestive system is struggling.
They contain both types of fiber — soluble and insoluble.
They're rich in water, and they're loaded with antioxidants that fight the inflammation hemorrhoids feed on.
Bake one whole, eat it with the skin on, and you have one of the best meals you can put in your body during a flare-up.
Simple, filling, and doing real work while you eat it.
Organic Sweet Potatoes
Fresh, organic · Great roasted, baked, or mashed
⭐ Trusted fresh produce seller
Sweet potatoes deliver a solid amount of fiber, especially when the skin is left on, along with potassium and vitamin A. That fiber helps add bulk to stool and supports the kind of regular, easier bowel movements that take pressure off hemorrhoids. They're versatile enough to work into almost any meal — roasted as a side, mashed, or added to soups and grain bowls — so it's easy to make them a regular part of the week rather than an occasional extra.
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10. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are tiny and easy to overlook, but they punch far above their weight.
They deliver both types of fiber alongside omega-3 fatty acids — some of the most well-researched anti-inflammatory compounds in existence.
The key detail:
Buy them ground, or grind them yourself.
Whole flaxseeds pass through your system largely intact and you lose most of the benefit.
One tablespoon stirred into your morning oatmeal or yogurt is enough to make a real difference over time.
365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Ground Flaxseed
14 oz · 4g fiber per serving · Cold-milled, USDA Organic, Non-GMO
⭐ Trusted store brand · 365 by Whole Foods Market
Ground flaxseed brings both soluble and insoluble fiber to the table, along with a solid dose of omega-3s, and that fiber combination helps add bulk to stool while keeping it soft enough to pass without straining. Because it's pre-ground, your body can actually absorb the nutrients and fiber — whole flaxseeds tend to pass through mostly undigested. Stir a spoonful into oatmeal, smoothies, or yogurt, and make sure to pair it with plenty of water, since fiber needs fluid to do its job well.
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11. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds absorb up to ten times their own weight in water, forming a thick gel that moves slowly and smoothly through your intestines, softening everything in its path.
Two tablespoons give you around ten grams of fiber.
Stir them into water or juice and let them sit for ten minutes before drinking.
What starts as a liquid becomes something closer to a gentle, hydrating pudding.
It sounds strange.
It works remarkably well.
Badia Chia Seed (Salvia Hispanica)
22 oz · Gluten-free · High fiber, high calcium, good source of iron
⭐ Trusted spice & pantry brand · Badia
Chia seeds are one of the most concentrated plant sources of fiber available, and they form a gel when mixed with liquid that helps soften stool and support easier, more regular bowel movements. That gel-forming property is also exactly why chia needs to be paired with enough water — taken dry or without enough fluid, high-fiber foods like this can have the opposite effect. Stir a spoonful into oatmeal, yogurt, or a smoothie, or let it soak overnight for an easy chia pudding.
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12. Whole Wheat Bread
White bread is one of the quieter enemies of anyone dealing with hemorrhoids.
It's been stripped of the bran and germ — the parts that actually do something useful — and what's left behind can actively contribute to constipation.
Whole wheat bread keeps those layers intact.
The insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool and keeps your digestive system moving at a pace that doesn't leave you sitting on the toilet straining and suffering.
It's a small swap that adds up to a significant difference over weeks and months.
365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Whole Wheat Mini Toast
4-pack · 36 slices per pack · USDA Organic, Whole Grain Council certified · Imported from France
⭐ Trusted store brand · 365 by Whole Foods Market
Choosing whole wheat over refined white bread is one of the easiest fiber upgrades to make, since the bran and germ that get stripped out of white flour are exactly what add bulk and softness to stool. These crisp mini toasts are a convenient way to build that habit into snacking or a light meal — top them with nut butter, avocado, or hummus for an extra fiber boost. They're portioned and shelf-stable too, so there's no loaf going stale before you get through it.
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13. Brown Rice
The same logic applies to rice.
White rice is polished until the bran layer — and all the fiber in it — is gone.
Brown rice keeps it.
The difference in how your digestive system responds to these two foods is more significant than most people expect.
Make the switch, give it two weeks, and pay attention to how your mornings change.
Amazon Grocery Brown Long Grain Rice
5 lb bag · Non-GMO Project Verified · Whole grain
⭐ Amazon Grocery store brand
Swapping white rice for brown rice is a simple change that adds meaningfully more fiber to a meal, since brown rice keeps the bran layer that white rice has stripped away. That extra fiber helps add bulk and softness to stool, making it easier to pass without straining. It's a practical staple to keep on hand since it works as a base for so many meals without requiring you to think about fiber separately — it's just built in.
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14. Bananas
Ripe bananas occupy an interesting middle ground — they contain pectin and resistant starch that help regulate bowel movements rather than simply accelerating them.
If your hemorrhoids come with loose or unpredictable stools alongside the pain.
Bananas are particularly useful because they help firm things up without swinging you into constipation.
They're also one of the gentlest foods your digestive system can process, which matters when everything in that region is already irritated and sensitive.
Keechee Premium Bamboo Banana Holder with Fruit Tray
Extra-tall design · Built-in fruit tray · Premium bamboo
⭐ Trusted kitchenware brand · Keechee
A quick note worth flagging: unripe or underripe bananas can actually be constipating, so it's fully ripe bananas — soft, with plenty of brown speckling — that offer the most benefit for digestion and stool softness.
Hanging bananas keeps them off the counter where they'd bruise and ripen unevenly, letting them mature naturally and evenly instead. The attached tray is a nice bonus for keeping other counter-friendly produce, like avocados or citrus, within easy reach for snacking.
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15. Papaya
Papaya contains papain — a natural digestive enzyme that helps your body break down food more efficiently and keeps your digestion running smoothly.
It has been used as a natural remedy for digestive problems across multiple cultures for centuries, long before anyone understood the enzyme responsible.
Fresh papaya works better than processed versions.
Eat it in the morning on an empty stomach if you can — it works best before other foods complicate the digestive picture.
American Health Chewable Papaya Enzyme with Chlorophyll
600 chewable tablets · Plant & fermentation-based enzymes · Vegan, gluten-free
⭐ Trusted supplement brand · American Health
Papaya has long been valued for papain, a natural enzyme that supports the breakdown of food and eases the overall workload on digestion, which can translate into more comfortable, less strained bowel movements.
These chewable "after meal" tablets are a convenient way to get that same enzyme support without needing fresh papaya on hand every day. As with any supplement, it's worth checking with a doctor before adding it to your routine, especially if you're managing hemorrhoids alongside other health conditions.
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16. Watermelon
Watermelon is ninety-two percent water.
When your stools are hard and dry because your body is dehydrated, eating watermelon is almost like drinking water with a little extra fiber alongside it.
In hot weather — when dehydration sneaks up on people faster than they realize.
Keeping watermelon in the fridge and eating it as a daily snack is one of the simplest and most pleasant ways to protect your digestive system without any effort at all.
Stainless Steel Watermelon Cube Cutter & Slicer
SUS 304 stainless steel · One-press cube slicing · Built-in fork/lifter
⭐ Kitchen tool favorite for fast fruit prep
Watermelon is over 90% water and still contributes a meaningful amount of fiber, so it's a genuinely helpful choice for staying hydrated while supporting softer, easier-to-pass stools — hydration and fiber working together instead of one without the other.
This cutter turns a watermelon into perfectly bite-sized cubes in one press, which removes the biggest barrier to eating more of it: the mess and effort of cutting a whole melon by hand. Keep a bowl of pre-cut watermelon in the fridge and it becomes an easy, low-effort snack to reach for instead of something less fiber-friendly.
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17. Cucumbers
Cucumbers carry the same logic as watermelon — high water content, mild fiber, easy to eat in large quantities without thinking too much about it.
Sliced cucumbers with a little olive oil and salt make one of the best between-meal snacks for someone trying to keep their digestive system well-hydrated throughout the day.
Cambom Rotary Grater with 3 Stainless Steel Drums
Slicing, coarse & fine shredding blades · Strong suction base · Hand-crank, no cords needed
⭐ Trusted kitchen brand · Cambom
Despite the name, this rotary grater isn't just for cheese — the interchangeable drums are also built for carrots, potatoes, cucumber, and beetroot, which makes it a genuinely handy tool for getting more fiber-rich vegetables into meals with less effort.
Shredding your own veggies for salads, slaws, or toppings takes a fraction of the time it does by hand, so it's easier to actually follow through on the fiber-focused suggestions in this list instead of reaching for something less helpful out of convenience.
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18. Kiwi
Kiwi is one of those foods that consistently surprises people when they look into the research.
Two kiwis per day have been shown in studies to meaningfully improve both the frequency and consistency of bowel movements in people struggling with constipation.
The enzyme actinidin, unique to kiwi, improves how your body digests protein.
The fiber and vitamin C support tissue repair. For something that tastes like a treat, it does serious digestive work.
Fresh Delicious Green Kiwi by RawJoy Farms
1 lb (16 oz) · Fresh, ready to eat · Sweet-tart flavor
⭐ Trusted produce seller · RawJoy Farms
Kiwi is one of the standout fruits for digestive health, thanks to a combination of fiber and actinidin, a natural enzyme that's been shown to help speed up movement through the gut. That combination makes kiwi a genuinely useful choice for easing constipation and reducing the straining that so often aggravates hemorrhoids. The skin is edible and packs in extra fiber if you don't mind the fuzzy texture, or simply slice in half and scoop with a spoon.
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19. Berries
Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries — beyond being delicious, they're rich in flavonoids, a class of compounds that have been specifically studied for their ability to strengthen blood vessel walls and reduce vascular inflammation.
This matters for hemorrhoids more directly than it does for almost any other condition, because hemorrhoids are, by definition, damaged and inflamed blood vessels.
Eating berries regularly is, in a quiet and cumulative way, feeding the very tissue that hemorrhoids are destroying.
Organic Blueberries, 12 oz Pint
Fresh, organic · Ready to eat · Great for snacking, breakfast bowls & baking
⭐ #6 in Fresh Berries on Amazon
Blueberries deliver a solid dose of fiber along with antioxidants and vitamin C, and that fiber is what helps keep stools soft and moving through the digestive tract without excess straining. They're an easy add to oatmeal, yogurt, or a smoothie, so getting a serving in doesn't require any extra planning or prep. Choosing organic also means fewer pesticide residues on a fruit that's typically eaten skin-and-all.
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20. Yogurt
Plain yogurt with live cultures does something none of the fiber-rich foods on this list can do on their own — it introduces beneficial bacteria directly into your gut.
A healthy, diverse gut microbiome produces more regular, more comfortable bowel movements as a natural byproduct of simply functioning well.
Choose plain yogurt.
Flavored versions typically contain enough sugar to undermine the very benefits you're eating the yogurt to get.
Tribello On-the-Go Yogurt Parfait Cups (4-Pack)
20 oz · Separate topping compartment & built-in spoon · Reusable, leak-proof, BPA-free
⭐ 4.7/5 stars · 375+ ratings
Probiotic-rich yogurt paired with fiber-packed toppings like berries, chia seeds, or oats is one of the easiest combinations for supporting regular, comfortable digestion — exactly the kind of habit that helps keep hemorrhoids from flaring up. Keeping the toppings in a separate compartment until you're ready to eat means no soggy granola and no last-minute assembly, which makes it much easier to actually stick with a gut-friendly breakfast or snack routine on busy mornings.
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21. Kefir
If yogurt is good, kefir is its more potent cousin.
Fermented longer and containing a broader range of probiotic strains, kefir has been shown to improve bowel movement frequency and reduce constipation more consistently than yogurt alone.
Drink a small glass in the morning or add it to a smoothie.
It has a slightly tangy taste that takes a few days to get used to — and then becomes one of those things you actually look forward to.
Lékué Kefir & Yogurt Maker
Built-in strainer · BPA-free silicone & plastic · Dishwasher safe
⭐ Trusted kitchenware brand · Lékué
Fermented foods like kefir and homemade yogurt are packed with probiotics that support a healthy gut microbiome, and a smoother-running digestive system means less straining and more regular, comfortable bowel movements. This maker takes the guesswork out of brewing your own batch at home, with a built-in strainer that separates the kefir grains from the finished liquid in one easy step. Making your own also means you control exactly what goes in, with no added sugar or thickeners you don't need.
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22. Olive Oil
Olive oil earns its place on this list not through fiber but through two other mechanisms.
It lubricates the digestive tract, making stools physically easier to pass.
And it contains oleocanthal — a compound that researchers have described as working similarly to ibuprofen in its ability to reduce inflammation in the body.
Use it generously as your main cooking oil.
Drizzle it over vegetables, stir it into soups, pour it over salads.
It is one of the few fats that actively helps rather than hinders your recovery.
365 by Whole Foods Market Mediterranean Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil
33.8 fl oz (1L) · Cold processed · Tested for quality & purity
⭐ Trusted store brand · 365 by Whole Foods Market
Healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil act as a natural lubricant in the digestive tract, helping stool pass more easily and reducing the straining that aggravates hemorrhoids. A drizzle over salads, cooked vegetables, or whole grains is one of the simplest ways to work more of it into meals, and it pairs naturally with the fiber-rich foods on this list rather than replacing them. Cold-processed extra virgin oil also retains more of the polyphenols linked to its anti-inflammatory reputation.
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23. Herbal Teas
Chamomile quiets inflammation.
Ginger wakes up a sluggish digestive system.
Peppermint relaxes the muscles along your intestinal walls and eases the cramping and discomfort that often accompanies hemorrhoid flare-ups.
A warm cup of herbal tea after dinner is a small ritual that does more than it appears to.
It contributes to your fluid intake, it soothes digestive tissue, and it signals to your body that the day is winding down — which itself supports better gut function.
Organic India Tulsi Turmeric Ginger Herbal Tea
6-pack · 18 infusion bags each · Caffeine-free · USDA Organic, Non-GMO
⭐ Trusted herbal tea brand · Organic India
Ginger and turmeric are both well known for their soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, and a warm cup of caffeine-free tea can gently encourage regular bowel movements without the harshness of straining or the dehydration that comes with caffeinated drinks. Tulsi (holy basil) rounds out the blend with its own long history of digestive support. Sipping a cup in the evening is an easy, low-effort habit to fold into a hemorrhoid-friendly routine alongside the fiber-rich foods on this list.
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24. Aloe Vera Juice
Drinkable aloe vera juice — not the topical gel, which is for external use only — has mild laxative properties and a soothing effect on the lining of the digestive tract.
It can help soften stools and reduce internal irritation.
Start small — around one hundred milliliters per day.
Too much too soon can cause loose stools, which creates its own set of problems.
Look for products specifically labeled as safe for internal consumption.
365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Juice
128 fl oz (1 gallon) · USDA Organic · Filtered to reduce anthraquinones to under 5 ppm
⭐ Trusted store brand · 365 by Whole Foods Market
Aloe vera juice has a long history of traditional use for digestive comfort, and its naturally gentle laxative properties can help support more regular, easier bowel movements — which matters a lot when straining is exactly what you're trying to avoid. This whole-leaf version keeps the full range of aloe polysaccharides while filtering out the compounds responsible for that overly bitter, harsh taste some aloe products have. Start with a small serving and build up gradually, since aloe can have a strong effect on some people's digestion.
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25. Water
Water closes this list not because it's an afterthought but because without it, nothing else on this list works properly.
Fiber needs water.
Without enough water, fiber doesn't soften your stool — it bulks it up without lubricating it, which can actually make constipation worse.
Every glass of water you drink is activating the fiber you ate, keeping your stool soft, and making every bowel movement easier than it would otherwise be.
Eight glasses a day is the baseline.
More if you're eating a lot of fiber, exercising, or living somewhere hot.
It is the simplest, cheapest, and most important thing on this entire list.
True Clear Purified Drinking Water
16.9 fl oz bottles · 24-pack · BPA-free, recyclable
⭐ 4.6/5 stars · 1,000+ ratings
Fiber alone can't do the job without enough fluid behind it — without adequate water, added fiber can actually make stools harder and straining worse, which is the opposite of what you want when dealing with hemorrhoids. Keeping a case of water on hand makes it easy to build the habit of steady sipping throughout the day instead of relying on memory or thirst cues, which tend to lag behind your body's actual needs. Pair it with the fiber-rich foods on this list for the combination that actually keeps stools soft and easy to pass.
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A Day of Eating That Actually Helps
You don't need to overhaul your entire life.
You just need to make better choices more consistently than you make worse ones.
Here's what a day of eating well for your hemorrhoids can look like without being complicated:
Morning: A bowl of oatmeal with ground flaxseeds, a handful of blueberries, and a large glass of water before you've done anything else.
Mid-morning: A pear or an apple, eaten whole, skin and all.
Lunch: A lentil soup or a salad built around spinach, cucumber, olive oil, and whatever else you enjoy.
Afternoon: A small bowl of plain yogurt or a glass of kefir. A few prunes if constipation has been a problem.
Dinner: A baked sweet potato or brown rice alongside steamed broccoli and a piece of fish or chicken.
Throughout the day: Water. Herbal tea. More water.
That's it. No extreme diet. No foods that are hard to find or expensive to buy. Just consistent, sensible eating that works with your body instead of against it.
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What to Stay Away From
Eating well is only half the equation.
The other half is stopping the foods that are quietly making everything worse:
White bread and white rice slow your digestion and harden your stools.
Spicy foods irritate already inflamed tissue. Alcohol dehydrates you and increases inflammation.
Processed snacks are typically high in salt, low in fiber, and contribute nothing useful to your digestive health.
Large amounts of red meat are slow to digest and can contribute to constipation.
Sugar feeds inflammation throughout your entire body, including in the swollen vascular tissue that hemorrhoids are made of.
You don't have to eliminate all of these forever.
But during a flare-up, cutting them out is one of the fastest ways to stop making things worse.
💡 If you'd rather dive deeper into the topic, check out our roundup of the 10 Best Hemorrhoid Books covering everything from natural remedies to expert medical advice.
Conclusion
There is no single food that cures hemorrhoids. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.
What is true — genuinely, clinically, consistently true — is that a diet built around fiber, hydration, anti-inflammatory foods, and beneficial bacteria creates the internal conditions where hemorrhoids heal faster, hurt less, and come back less often.
You have three meals a day, every day, to either fight this condition or feed it.
The foods on this list are how you fight it — quietly, consistently, and from the inside out.
Start with the ones you already like. Add one or two more each week.
Pay attention to how your body responds.
The results won't come overnight, but they will come — and when they do, you'll wonder why nobody told you sooner that the answer was mostly on your plate.
📑 Related Articles
🛒 Hemorrhoids Related Products
📚 Medical sources
- Fiber and hemorrhoid treatment: Alonso-Coello, P., et al. (2006). Fiber for the treatment of hemorrhoids complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 101(1), 181–188.
- Oatmeal / beta-glucan and digestive health: Whitehead, A., et al. (2014). Cholesterol-lowering effects of oat β-glucan. Nutrition Reviews, 72(4), 207–219.
- Prunes and constipation relief: Lever, E., et al. (2014). Systematic review: the effect of prunes on gastrointestinal function. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 40(7), 750–758.
- Kiwi fruit and bowel movement improvement: Stonehouse, W., et al. (2013). Kiwifruit: our daily prescription for health. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 91(6), 442–447.
- Flavonoids and blood vessel strengthening: Misra, M.C., & Parshad, R. (2000). Randomized clinical trial of micronized flavonoids in the treatment of acute internal haemorrhoids. British Journal of Surgery, 87(7), 868–872.
- Probiotics and bowel regularity: Dimidi, E., et al. (2014). The effect of probiotics on functional constipation in adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 100(4), 1075–1084.
- Olive oil anti-inflammatory properties: Beauchamp, G.K., et al. (2005). Phytochemistry: ibuprofen-like activity in extra-virgin olive oil. Nature, 437, 45–46.
- General hemorrhoid overview: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hemorrhoids.
