Are Chips Bad for Hemorrhoids? (Expert Answer)

Short Answer: Chips are bad for hemorrhoids. Because they have fat, salt, and starch and they can increase pressure, swelling, and constipation.

Hemorrhoids are a condition that affects your anus and rectum.

In hemorrhoids, your body has swollen veins in the lower part of your rectum and anus that cause bleeding and discomfort.

This can lead to various health problems, such as infection, anemia, and anal fissures.

One of the key factors in managing hemorrhoids is diet.

What you consume can affect your stool consistency, which can impact your hemorrhoids symptoms and overall health.

To effectively manage hemorrhoids, you should consume fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and avoid fat-rich foods like chips, cheese, and meat.

Now, chips are thin slices of potato that are fried or baked and seasoned with salt or other flavors.

People usually eat them as a snack or a side dish.

Chips are bad for hemorrhoids because they contain fat, salt, and starch.

Fat can increase the pressure on the veins in the rectum and anus, salt can cause fluid retention and worsen swelling, and starch can contribute to constipation and hard stools.

A single serving bag of chips can give you 10.49 grams of fat (16% of your daily needs), 147 milligrams of sodium (6% of your daily needs), and 13.93 grams of carbohydrate (5% of your daily needs).

Fat can reduce the blood flow to the hemorrhoids and delay healing.

Salt can draw water into the tissues and increase inflammation.

Carbohydrate can ferment in the colon and produce gas and bloating.

Furthermore, chips are a processed food and processed foods are bad for hemorrhoids.

Because, they often contain additives, preservatives, and artificial colors that can irritate the digestive system and trigger allergic reactions.

That’s why I suggest you limit your chips intake to avoid aggravating your hemorrhoids.

Stick to one serving or less per week to minimize the risk of complications.

Also, you shouldn’t eat chips if you have thrombosed hemorrhoids to prevent bleeding.

Because, the sharp edges of the chips can damage the delicate tissues and cause further injury.

You can buy fresh potatoes in your local market or can order them from online.

Always choose organic and unblemished potatoes.

Because, they have fewer pesticides and more nutrients.

You can store them in a cool, dark, and dry place for up to two months.

Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing hemorrhoids effectively.

I always recommend my hemorrhoids patients to follow a hemorrhoids-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.

Get a Customized Diet Plan

About the Author

Abdur Rahman Choudhury

Abdur Rahman Choudhury is a nutritionist in West Bengal, India, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biochemistry.

He has done his diploma in nutrition from Fabulous Body Inc (US), and completed various certification courses from several universities. He also has considerable research experience in PCOS.

Abdur currently lives in India and keeps fit by weight training and eating mainly home-cooked meals.

Leave a Comment