I would really like to advice/ input on diets. I don't have a diagnosis yet, but I have had right upper quadrant pain for over a year. Blood tests/ ultrasound came back clear last year. Blood tests from last month ok, except the doctor said she wasn't sure about one of my clotting results and would like to get me re-tested in a couple of months.
While I am waiting I am trying to focus on what I can control. I have quit drinking, which is great but I still have to have lose weight (loads, like 100lbs). I thought quitting drinking was hard, but compared to keeping on a diet I find it easy; there's a simple goal with sobriety (don't drink), but a dozen variables with diet (have you had enough fruit? not too much fat? are you drinking enough water? what about protein? yes, treat yourself to a small square of dark chocolate every so often, actually you could probably get away with two squares, no three is too much).
So I read the BLT's guide on the liver and diet but I've been reading about Very Low Calorie Diets (meal replacement bars/ shakes for around 600-800 kcals/day). I have searched academic journals for VLCDs in liver patients and obese patients and the results seem to be mixed. Most say there are no changes to the liver or a reduction in fatty volume, but a few worryingly say there is a potential for increased fibrosis. A VLCD may help me lose the vast amount of weight I need to lose, but I am very worried about making any liver issues worse. I will of course ask my doctor, but to be honest she seems a bit clueless about liver issues (e.g. at first she was going to dismiss my worries after the first set of liver function tests despite my risk factors, symptoms and the fact clear LFTs do not equal happy liver).
Thanks!
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Ibrokemyliver
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I didnt notice the extra "o" till you mentioned it ☺. Some good advice here already. I think you are on the right track. As velvetunderground said alot of it is making sure what works for you and to be realistic in a way that you can maintain it long term. Good luck to you on your endevours!
If you’re concerned, you could keep a food diary for 2 weeks and then see a dietitian (as opposed to a nutritionist). They can estimate how many calories you’re eating and if it’s a healthy and balanced and also sustainable. People will lose weight eating 600 calories a day, but this isn’t sustainable or healthy.
I lost 22kg by cutting down and later quitting alcohol, watching what I ate and exercising. A dietitian was happy with my diet - just normal food - and about 2200 calories a day. That with my exercise lost me 1kg a week for the first three months, which is the absolute maximum weekly weight loss recommended. With a similar intake, you should see quite a weight loss. Can’t comment about shakes but a dietitian can. 800 calories could be a piece of salmon and salad. Isn’t that nicer then a bar/shake?
2200 calories leaves little room for alcohol, but it sounds like youge jumped that hurdle (well done!) I have/had a mild fatty liver presumably from years of drinking and being overweight. However, I’m now BMI 26 and whilst my liver will take months/years to recover, I don’t get any more aches and pains. Liver Function Tests are fine.
By all means, get your liver tested, but shedding that weight will help you loads whatever happens. Just be realistic (1kg/week) and eat nutritiously.
That’s a huge achievement, well done! The bad news is I haven’t lost any weight in those 80+ days, but I’d cut right down previously and don’t have much more weight to lose. The good news is your body can deal with nutrition better and not have to prioritise getting rid of alcohol. You should be losing weight with this determination. If not, review what’s going on in terms of diet and activity
I've lost 6lbs in that time, but I would have expected to lose more due to the loss of alcohol related calories. It might be that where I would usually drink I've been "rewarding" myself with chocolate etc 🙄 I've started to record my food on MyFitnessPal and I am joining Slimming World this week, so the only way is up (or the only weigh is down☺️).
6lbs in OK, but it should be more to be honest. If you’re writing everything down, you should get results. I’m not convinced about those shakes and can take or leave chocolate 😛
I wish I could leave chocolate! I chose Slimming World as it involves meetings (which can help people stay on track) and a sensible balanced diet (lots of fresh fruit and veg, some protein and fibre, very little / no junk food allowed). I'm feeling hopeful. It's spring, the season of new life and fresh starts! ☀️☀️☀️
I can’t comment about chocolate (which is odd when I was addicted to alcohol for years 😛) but as long as the chocolate is added to your calorie list, that’s fine. When I met my dietitian with my list, I remember I’d even added a coffee (130 calories estimate) from my (overpriced) hairdresser to my 2200 calorie a day list. It all counts.
First off, the disclaimer! I'm not a dietitian or nutritionist and none of this has any basis other than my personal experience. However I'm very interested in diet and healthy eating (partly because of my liver health, but also for many years prior to that).
My issue with 'diets' is they need to be something you can live with long term, consistency is they key to a diet working. I think you need to find a way of eating that will work...for you...forever.
Personally I only eat foods with a single 'ingredient'. I have almost no regular exceptions to this other than bread, which I now include in my diet for convenience. I eat meat, fish, veg, fruit, potatoes, rice, bean, nuts, oats etc. I cook from scratch and deny myself nothing - If I want something then I cook it / bake it whatever, but I always start from single ingredient foods.
I've been eating this way for years and I struggle to eat enough to maintain my weight, let alone put it on (I eat a huge volume of food, but a lot of veg for example). I know exactly how much added salt I eat (because I have added it), how much refined sugar etc.
I'm not completely fanatical, as I said, I eat bread daily and occasionally I will have something else processed, but it is very much the exception.
This has worked very well for me, it helps that I enjoy cooking.
As I say, you need to find a healthy way of eating that will work for you for the long term.
My other suggestion is to start with some small changes, for example swap the bag of crisps for some fruit. Wait until this becomes 'normal' then make another change. If you drastically change your diet then it becomes difficult to sustain and increases the risk you go back to your old ways.
Thanks, that's useful. You're definitely right about the "single ingredient" thing. I always do loads better when I keep it some and focus on fruit and veg etc
Could you manage going to a group like slimming world as I believe they allow you syns per day along side meals that are all about how they are cooked like no oil,fat sugar but using healthier options and setting realistic goals of 2-3 lb per week as long as your eating healthy your doctors will be delighted, going to a group can help enormously and you meet like minded people who will have there own stories .
Thanks! I've tried SW before, but stupidly stopped. I have decided to go back- I read that attending a group can help with weight loss motivation. My first meeting will be Wednesday.
Hi, my experience was similar to Paul. Start small making little changes so swap white bread for whole grain, white rice for brown. I love my carbs but now eat very few. Instead of looking for a ‘diet’, which itself has negative connotations, think about a healthy lifestyle instead as your brain will automatically think you are denying yourself food. Also, try not to think of your 100lb that you need to lose, take one day at a time and think of 1-2lbs a week. Also, revisit the urge to calorie count and weigh yourself every day as it will only add to your stress!
I have lost a considerable amount of weight which averaged out about 1-2lbs a week and both my consultant and Dr are really pleased with how I have gone about it as I have done it in a healthy way and it has worked.
I don’t eat anything processed as it tends to be high in additives, salt, sugar etc. I also eat a lot less carbs than I did before. I don’t eat red meat.
My diet now is as follows:
Breakfast: 1 banana or 27g of oats with skimmed milk
Lunch: Salad with half a tin of tuna or 2 slices of whole grain bread with tuna in it or boiled egg
Dinner: salmon, or other fish, with fresh or frozen veg. Chicken or turkey breast with veg.
Snacks: raw carrot, blueberries, banana, strawberries
Drinks: I only drink hot or cold water
I also exercise every day, I started off with 5 minutes a day as that was all I could do, then built up to 10, 20 mins cardio a day and 30 mins strength get training.
I hope this helps, the weight will come off if you keep at it and everyone will support you on here. Feel free to msg me with any further questions.
My blood tests have reduced dramatically and my liver is now regenerating, it will take a while but my consultant said it should completely heal in time. My pain on the right side has gone now and I feel and look so much better.
Thanks, that's really useful and I am glad you are doing so well. I love berries, I can have them as my go-to snack. I am phasing out my other addiction (diet coke) for water bit by bit to prevent headaches. I'm up to 2 litres of water per day and no more than one can of diet coke at the moment. Planning to quit coke completely by the end of the month
Thanks for the meal list, I can try basing my own on yours as a start (a vegetarian version though) and see how I go. X
I've only known one person in my life who lost 100+ pounds and kept it off. My dear friend Juan.
He said he did it by eating 3 reasonable meals every day, and absolutely nothing but water in between meals. He didn't have a strict diet, but simply avoided sugar-bombs and kept the portions reasonable. He said the secret to a successful diet, is that you have to enjoy what you eat at each meal. You just can't eat too much at once, and no snacking in between meals.
He did moderate exercise too, but nothing extreme. He started walking twice a day. Just a few blocks at first, eventually working up to around a mile. He said the secret to exercise is that it has to be something enjoyable. He came to enjoy his walks, and has continued to do them to this day.
Thanks! That's useful. I am concentrating on getting my steps up exercise wise and doing 10 minutes a day on the exercise bike. I'm hoping to build each up month by month. X
Good luck with whatever you decide on, great advice from the other guys. But be careful with VLCDs as there is plenty on evidence that they can cause fatty liver (ironic!) and gallstones.
It is ironic isn't it? I a desperate to lose the weight, but so scared of making any liver issues worse. After reading all these replies, I'm going to concentrate on doing Slimming World, eating lots of fruit and veg and building up my exercise. Thanks!
Hi, I’m a newbie here, and read the posts from others. I have been told to lose weight but what I was told by my GP was to do so slowly as losing it too quickly can cause further damage to the liver. He also advised me to leave 10% of my food on my plate as my mind will get to the point of not needing it and this will help with portion control. Im not massively overweight, about 20lbs to lose, but I’m finding it difficult as I eat a well balanced and healthy diet, check my portions and never eat a full meal, so I’m cutting out carbs and exercising to try and find what works for me. I wouldn’t advise the VLCD as that is not a sustainable weight loss programme, going to a group as you said in another post/reply (I believe it was you) is a good way to lose weight as you will have support of members and also plans. Each person loses weight in their own way of course, but I wanted to share with you what my GP told me and I have mild/moderate NAFLD.
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