What diet should a patient with liver cirrhosis eat?
A healthy weight and a proper diet can reduce the symptoms of liver disease and its progression.
It can help lower blood pressure and control blood sugar to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Better diet options stimulate the immune system that helps prevent infectious diseases.
A specific diet for cirrhosis can help reduce your liver’s workload, provide adequate nutrition, reduce related complications, and prevent further damage to the liver. Such a diet should include;
Fruit and vegetables – If possible, consume fresh fruits and veggies, as canned varieties typically contain high sodium and sugar. Fiber-rich fruits like apples make you feel healthy
Dairy – Full-fat dairy foods are likely to be too difficult for your body to digest. Stick to Greek yogurt (low in fat), small portions of hard cheese, and fortified dairy-free alternatives of milk such as soy and almond.
You should reduce the consumption of milk-based desserts such as cake, custard, and ice cream. If you have significant trouble absorbing fat and sugar, you might need to avoid them completely on a cirrhosis diet.
Grains – Whole grain bread, pasta, brown rice, and cereal are good options instead of refined white flour. Granola can be consumed for quick snacks as long as they are low in sodium and sugar.
Protein – Red meat is not an excellent option to include in a cirrhosis diet, nor is processed lunch meat or sausage of any kind.
Small portions of lean poultry, eggs or egg whites, and some types of fresh-caught fish (such as salmon) may be sufficient.
Most of your protein should come from plant-based sources like dried beans and legumes. You can also include small portions of tofu and unsalted nuts or nut butter.
Desserts – Packaged cake, brownie, cookie, biscuit, waffle mixes, and pancake can be high in sugar and salt – so avoiding them is best.
In general, unless you can make your own low-fat, low-sugar, and low-salt versions, you should avoid pastries, doughnuts, and muffins.
Beverages – If you have liver cirrhosis, you cannot drink alcohol, but there are plenty of other choices for you.
Water is the most hydrating option, but if you’re on a low-sodium diet, you must check the bottled water labels as some have sodium in them. Milk and juice are only to be consumed when pasteurized.
While some research has shown that coffee may benefit people with liver disease due to alcohol use.
Medical professionals advise patients with liver cirrhosis to avoid caffeinated drinks, including soft drinks, coffee, and tea.
