Liver Cirrhosis Diet and Diet Plan

With liver cirrhosis, it is common to experience symptoms such as a loss of appetite, nausea, reduced energy levels or fluid retention in the legs (edema) or abdomen. These symptoms often make it difficult to eat as much food (particularly protein) as your body needs. A poor diet, as well as poor liver function, can cause malnutrition, weak bones and muscle wasting (particularly in your arms and around your shoulders, chest and back). Good nutrition is very important to support your liver’s function when you have liver cirrhosis since the condition can be managed with the right diet and medications. Here we will discuss such a diet in more detail:

(Read more: How to stop nausea and vomiting)

The buildup of fluid in the legs and abdomen is not the result of too much water intake but rather the body’s ability to retain too much sodium (salt). For this reason, it is important to cut down on your salt intake, not water intake. Avoid table salt and foods which are high in sodium such as pickle, papad, processed food (breakfast cereals, cheese, tinned fruits and vegetables, bakery items, processed foods product (bacon, sausage, ham, salami, ready to eat meals, jam, jelly, cakes and biscuits) and junk food. You can replace these food options with home-cooked and fresh foods. 

(Read more: Balanced diet)

A high-fat diet is known to worsen cirrhosis by causing fatty liver diseases which is another determinant of cirrhosis. So try to cut fatty food. Avoid foods that are high in fat such as meat and meat products such as beef, pork, mutton, butter, lard, margarine, cheese, butter, samosas, kachori, french fries, burger, pizza, etc. For cooking purposes, try to use plant-based oils such as canola, olive oil, mustard oil and sesame oil instead.

(Read more: Healthy recipes)

Apart from the above, alcohol intake is known to worsen liver damage so it is best to avoid alcohol and alcoholic beverages. Fast food and other foods that are rich in preservatives have hidden sodium. Avoid foods such as sauces, pickles, jams, jelly, purees, packed juices and canned fruits and vegetables.

Following is a sample of what your diet should look like: 

• Early morning: Warm water with lemon juice (1 glass) 
• Breakfast: Wheat porridge in low-fat milk (1 bowl) + papaya ( 1 bowl)
• Mid Meal: Buttermilk (1 glass) / Any seasonal fruit (150 grams)
• Lunch: Chapati (2)/ Rice (1 bowl) + Toor Dal (1 bowl) + Aloo lauki (1 bowl) + Green salad (1 medium plate)
• Evening tea: Turmeric tea (1 cup) + almonds (5)
• Dinner: Vegetable Khichdi (Rice and dal) + Curd (1 bowl)
• Bedtime: Low-fat milk (1 glass)