Can I eat rice if I have a fissure?

December 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Mayo Clinic, a high-fiber diet with adequate fluids is crucial for healing an anal fissure. Therefore, the answer to "Can I eat rice if I have a fissure?" depends on the type of rice and how it's prepared, as it can be either a helpful part of a healing diet or a potential irritant.

Quick Summary

This article explores the nuances of including rice in a diet for managing fissures. It differentiates between brown and white rice, detailing their fiber content and impact on stool consistency. You will also learn about other dietary considerations to aid healing and prevent recurrence of the condition.

Key Points

Brown Rice is Generally Preferred: Due to its high fiber content, brown rice helps soften stools and prevent the constipation that causes fissures.
White Rice for Acute Flare-ups: For immediate relief during a painful flare-up, well-cooked white rice is a gentle, low-residue option that is easier to digest.
Hydration is Key: Always pair rice with plenty of fluids, especially water, to help the fiber work effectively and keep stools soft.
Increase Fiber from Multiple Sources: Relying solely on one type of food is insufficient. Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other whole grains to meet your daily fiber needs.
Prepare Rice Carefully: To make brown rice easier on the digestive system, soak it before cooking and ensure it is cooked to a very soft, mushy texture.
Avoid Constipating Foods: Limit or avoid processed foods, high-fat meals, and dehydrating drinks like caffeine and alcohol, as they can worsen the condition.

Understanding the Role of Rice in a Fissure Diet

The impact of rice on an anal fissure depends largely on its fiber content. The primary goal of a fissure diet is to soften stools and prevent constipation, as hard bowel movements can tear the delicate anal tissue. This is where the distinction between brown rice and white rice becomes critical.

Brown rice is a whole grain, meaning it retains its outer bran and germ layers. These parts are rich in dietary fiber, which adds bulk to your stool and makes it softer and easier to pass. For this reason, brown rice is often recommended as part of a high-fiber diet to manage and prevent constipation. However, some individuals with sensitive digestive systems or during an acute flare-up might find the rougher texture of brown rice to be irritating. In such cases, proper preparation, such as soaking before cooking and ensuring it is very well-cooked, is important.

White rice, on the other hand, is a refined grain that has had the bran and germ removed. This process strips away most of its fiber, making it easier to digest but also less effective at preventing constipation. During an acute flare-up when a very gentle, low-residue diet is needed, well-cooked white rice can be a good option because it is soft and minimally irritating. However, relying solely on white rice without adequate fiber from other sources could lead to or worsen constipation, which is detrimental to fissure healing.

The Critical Role of Fiber and Hydration

Beyond rice, a comprehensive dietary approach is necessary for fissure management. The NHS recommends a daily intake of 25 to 35 grams of fiber for adults, along with about 2 litres of fluid, to keep stools soft. Integrating a variety of high-fiber foods is more effective than focusing on a single source.

Include a variety of whole grains: Besides brown rice, consider oats, whole-wheat bread, and quinoa to diversify your fiber intake.
Eat plenty of fruits: Fruits like berries, apples, pears, and especially prunes contain both fiber and natural compounds that act as gentle laxatives. Watermelon and oranges also provide hydration.
Increase vegetable consumption: Incorporate leafy greens, broccoli, and carrots, which are excellent sources of dietary fiber.
Add beans and lentils: These legumes are fiber powerhouses and can be easily added to soups and curries.
Don't forget healthy fats and seeds: Avocados, nuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds can support healing and provide healthy fats.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is non-negotiable. It works in tandem with fiber to soften stools. Juices like apple or pear juice can also be beneficial.

Foods to Avoid or Limit

Just as important as adding certain foods is avoiding others that can aggravate a fissure. Spicy foods, for instance, can cause irritation. Other foods can contribute to constipation or inflammation.

Processed and refined foods: These are often low in fiber and can slow down digestion. This includes fast food, packaged snacks, and white bread.
Spicy foods: Foods with chili peppers or hot sauces can cause burning and irritation.
Deep-fried foods: These are high in unhealthy fats and can be tough on the digestive system.
Caffeine and Alcohol: Both can be dehydrating and contribute to harder stools.

Comparison Table: Brown Rice vs. White Rice for Fissure Healing


Feature	Brown Rice	White Rice
Fiber Content	High; contains both the bran and germ layers.	Low; bran and germ are removed during processing.
Digestibility	Slower to digest due to high fiber; requires thorough cooking.	Easy to digest; low residue.
Constipation Impact	Helps prevent constipation by softening stools.	Can worsen constipation if not paired with other fiber sources.
Best for Healing	Ideal for long-term management and prevention.	Useful during an acute, painful flare-up for a low-residue diet.
Preparation	Requires longer cooking time; soaking is beneficial.	Cooks quickly; simple to prepare.

Conclusion

In summary, you can eat rice if you have a fissure, but the type and preparation method are key. Brown rice, with its higher fiber content, is generally better for preventing constipation and promoting overall bowel health, making it a staple for long-term management. During acute flare-ups, well-cooked white rice can serve as a gentler, low-residue option to avoid irritation. Regardless of the rice you choose, it must be part of a larger dietary strategy that emphasizes adequate fiber from various sources and plenty of fluids. Incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other whole grains, while limiting aggravating foods, is the most effective approach for promoting healing and preventing the recurrence of anal fissures. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized dietary advice. For further reading on dietary fiber, consult the National Institutes of Health.

Practical Tips for Managing Fissures with Diet

Increase Fiber Gradually: Avoid a sudden, dramatic increase in fiber intake, which can lead to bloating and gas. Add fibrous foods slowly over a week to allow your body to adjust.
Prioritize Hydration: Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily. Staying well-hydrated is just as crucial as increasing fiber.
Prepare Rice Mindfully: When cooking brown rice, soak it for 30 minutes beforehand to help soften it and aid digestion. Ensure all rice is cooked to a soft, mushy consistency.
Pair Rice with Fiber-Rich Accompaniments: Always serve rice with a generous portion of cooked vegetables, lentils, or beans to maximize fiber intake.
Avoid Straining: Listen to your body and go to the toilet when you feel the urge. Ignoring it can lead to harder stools and more straining.
Consider Soaking: A warm sitz bath for 10-20 minutes after bowel movements can soothe the affected area and promote healing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can eat white rice, especially during an acute flare-up, as it is low in fiber and easy to digest, which is less irritating to the gut. However, it should be part of a diet that includes plenty of fiber from other sources to prevent constipation.

Yes, for long-term management, brown rice is generally better due to its higher fiber content, which helps prevent constipation by softening stools. During an acute flare-up, however, a gentler option like white rice may be preferable.

The best kind of rice depends on your current symptoms. For overall healing and prevention, brown rice is ideal. For temporary relief during pain, well-cooked white rice is a good choice. Pairing either with fiber-rich foods is essential.

Refined white rice is low in fiber and can cause constipation if not balanced with other fibrous foods. Brown rice, being a whole grain, is rich in fiber and actually helps to prevent constipation.

For brown rice, soak it for at least 30 minutes before cooking and ensure it is thoroughly cooked until very soft. For any rice, cooking it with a higher ratio of water to achieve a softer, mushier consistency can help with easier digestion.

Serve your rice with high-fiber foods such as well-cooked vegetables (like carrots or spinach), lentils, and beans. Adding a little ghee can also help lubricate the digestive tract and make stool passage smoother.

No, you do not need to avoid all rice. The key is to choose the right type of rice for your condition and to ensure your overall diet is rich in fiber and fluids to manage bowel movements effectively and promote healing.