The liver is one of the largest organs in the body. And it happens to be one of the organs that is commonly affected. Many conditions are associated with the liver. For today our focus would be on the cirrhosis of the liver. We will be looking at a high protein diet for liver cirrhosis. Is this a good diet option for this condition? Would it be able to reduce the symptoms that come with this condition or cure it? Well, we will be answering these questions as we go on.
Diet since inception has always had a great impact on the body. With a good diet, you can be sure that you would stay healthy and strong. And with a bad diet, you can surely expect some unwanted conditions. That’s why you have to be very careful as to what you put into your mouth. Let’s take a look at the role of diet when you have cirrhosis. And what are some of the foods you should eat more of and foods you should avoid? Keep reading to find out a lot more about all these.
High Protein Diet for Liver Cirrhosis
The truth is that many people that have cirrhosis are malnourished. And that’s because they have a problem with their digestive system and metabolism. That, of course, is because there is a problem with the liver. That’s why when it comes to cirrhosis diet things like sugar, protein, and sodium are important to control. That’s because they cause your liver to do a lot more work than other food.
That’s why when it comes to choosing a cirrhosis diet, you should make a plan. Your doctor would be in the best position to help you create a diet plan. Going to a dietician would be a great idea.
The thing with the diet is that it should be tailored to meet your needs. So your overall health must always be put into consideration when creating a diet plan. We will be looking at some of the things to take note of later on.
So is it a good idea for you to go for a high protein diet? Well, your diet, as mentioned before, is based on your needs. Taking enough protein is important because the calories you would get from protein is quite important. At the same time, protein has been proven to be effective against muscle wasting. But this thought does not mean that going on a strictly high protein diet would be best for you as this could overwork the liver.
General Dietary Tips for Cirrhosis Diet
- Avoid alcohol: For someone that has cirrhosis taking alcohol, would be a bad idea. And that’s because it would cause more damage to the liver. And this, in the end, may lead to liver failure. At the same time, taking so much alcohol, it would lead to malnutrition and dehydration. And this, of course, is not good for someone that has health concerns.
- Reduce fat intake: Our body breaks down fat with the help of bile. And the organ that makes the bile in the liver. If the liver is damaged, the amount of bile is reduced. When you consume so much fat, there would be little to no bile that would digest it. In the end, it would lead to digestive problems. So when you have cirrhosis, a high-fat meal would be a very bad idea.
- Avoid undercooked or raw food: The immune system of people isn’t properly functioning. That means that even the healthy bacteria in the body can cause diseases in the body. Avoid raw and undercooked meats due to microbes that can harm your health especially to those who have liver cirrhosis
- Increase the quantity of food you eat: When you have cirrhosis the risk of being malnourished greatly increases. So you would have to consume a lot more calories to stay in check and be at least healthy. The demand for different people would differ. Your dietitian would be able to help you out when it comes to your energy demands.
There are a few other changes that you would need to do. But then again, that would be up to your dietitian to decide. That’s why you must get a good dietitian. That way you can be sure that you are in safe hands. And you would have just little to worry about when it comes to your cirrhosis diet plan.
What to Eat | What Not to Eat |
| Vegetables and fruits | Raw seafood |
| Cooked fish | Red meat |
| Eggs particularly egg white | Fast food |
| Low-fat yogurt | Processed and packaged food |
| Lean meat | Canned food |
| Nuts and seeds | Buttermilk |
| Nut butter | Hot dogs |
| Dried legumes | Oils rich in trans fat |
| Oats and Quinoa | Biscuit |
| Tofu | Sea salt and table salt |
| Olive oil | Alcohol |
| Ginger and garlic | Soft drinks |
| Coconut water | Coffee |
| Fresh herbs | White bread |
| Fortified milk | Pancakes |
For fruits and veggies, make sure you opt for the fresh ones. Avoid canned fruits and veggies, as much as you can. Go for fruits that are rich fiber and vitamins. This way, your immune system would get a boost, and your digestive system would improve.
- Dairy: Go for low-fat dairy and not a high-fat dairy. That’s because the body would find it hard to digest full-fat products.
- Grains: Avoid anything that is refined or processed. Opt for whole grains. That way, you would be able to get the nutrients your body needs, and at the same time, your liver wouldn’t be stressed out.
- Protein: As for protein, red meat is a no-no. Opt for lean meat that doesn’t contain so much skin. And if you are opting for fish, opt for freshly-caught fish.
With all these in mind, you can be sure that you wouldn’t have a problem coming up with your cirrhosis diet plan. And make sure you ask your dietitian if it’s okay to opt for a high protein diet for liver cirrhosis before you opt for it.
