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Diet - liver disease   

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Recommendations

The dietary recommendations may vary somewhat depending on how well the person's liver is functioning. It is very important to be under the care of a health professional otherwise malnutrition can lead to serious consequences. In general, recommendations include:

• high intake of carbohydrate foods. Carbohydrates should be the major source of calories in this diet.
• A moderate intake of fat (as prescribed by the health care provider). The increased carbohydrate and fat as recommended help in preserving the protein in the body and prevent excessive protein breakdown.
• approximately 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight. For a 70 kilogram man (154 pounds), 70 grams of protein translates into 8 ounces of cooked protein and two 8-ounce glasses of milk on a daily basis. This does not include the protein from starches and vegetables. People with a severely damaged liver may be on a strict protein restriction, and may be limited to only minimal quantities of essential amino acids (obtained through special nutritional supplements).
• vitamin supplementation as medically recommended, especially B-complex.
• sodium restriction if fluid retention is present.

SAMPLE MENU

• breakfast
  • 1 orange
  • cooked oatmeal, with milk and sugar
  • 1 slice of whole-wheat toast
  • 2 teaspoons of margarine
  • strawberry jam
  • coffee or tea
• lunch
  • 4 ounces of cooked lean fish, poultry, or meat
  • a starch item (such as potatoes)
  • a cooked vegetable
  • salad
  • 2 slices of whole-grain bread
  • 2 teaspoons of margarine
  • 1 tablespoon of jelly
  • fresh fruit
  • milk
• midafternoon snack
  • milk with graham crackers
• dinner
  • 4 ounces of cooked fish, poultry, or meat
  • starch item (such as potatoes)
  • a cooked vegetable
  • salad
  • 2 whole-grain rolls
  • 2 tablespoons of margarine
  • fresh fruit or dessert
  • 8 ounces of milk

evening snack

• high protein milk (milk with non-fat dry milk added)

Usually, there are no cautions against specific foods. However, many people are unable to tolerate strongly flavored vegetables, high-fat foods, fried foods, chocolate, nuts, and foods that have a lot of seasoning.

If you have questions about your diet or your symptoms contact your physician immediately.

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