Hi.
I have compensated liver disease and am lucky in that I am keeping well at moment.
My biggest issue now is that I have discovered a sweet tooth which I have never had over the years therefore I have also put on fair bit weight over lockdown as also started baking.
Need to get rid of this. Does anyone follow a high protein low carb diet with liver disease
Thanks Ann
I did just the same, sweet tooth, no idea why. I am still battling with myself over it.
I would definitely check with your doctor what they say is best for your diet as mine has changed as time has gone on. Initially it was 6 very small meals a day, high protein, chicken/red low fat meat,pulses, greek yoghurt and vegetables and fruit. In the last year I have been told to reduce my meat protein and eat a lot more veg protein.
Hi
Thanks for reply.. I also have small meals a day ( with the addition of biscuits!) But do need to cut out the sweet stuff. Will check with consultant obviously but high protein seems to consist of eggs by the dozen and chicken which I don't like.
Yes thats what I was initially told but eggs stop me going to the toilet so I dont eat many. Quinoq and beans like cannellini, kidney, butter beans, chickpeas, lentils etc.. are very high in protein. So I have things like lasagne, shepherds pie but I swap the mince for lentils, and the toppings to grated cauli or carrot and turnip mash. Stuffed peppers with quinoa, beans and some spices. Salads with quinoa and sometimes and egg. Wraps with a bean salad. For me I struggled to do this change as most of my life I have been a meat and 3 veg person with a ham salad sandwich for lunch. I am finding to make life easier, find a few different dressings that you can make once a week and also a few marinades, sauces and spices you can make again once a week. Then at least I have something with flavour to add to the plain foods without starting from scratch everyday.
Thank you.. thsts really useful as I hate bland food .. will need to dig out some recipe books I think x
Try using dried mushrooms to make a stock... Adds a lot of flavour to anything without adding salt. As long as you like mushrooms that is.....
Love mushrooms so thanks will try that c
Hi Annie, if you like fish try fresh fish low in salt content. I also ate high protein yoghurts, some contain 20g + per pot. An easier way to get a lot of protein.
Hi Annie,
Just be careful with diet. Depending on the stage you are at, carbohydrate may be critical to help reduce muscle loss.
Carbohydrate is the main thing your body needs to help with its short to medium term energy needs. Without sufficient carbohydrate the body has to use its energy stores in the muscles to fill any deficits it needs. Hence the muscle loss you often find in cirrhosis. Your newly acquired desire for sweet stuff may well just be your body's reaction to an energy deficit that can be common in cirrhosis.
Clearly its not good to be piling on the pounds either. Its therefore probably better to get the opinion of your medical team as the most appropriate diet thats specific for you.
Totally agree with Kristian here, this is probably your body craving a quick energy fix because once you have cirrhosis your body can't store and release energy like a healthy liver and it will eventually turn to your muscles for fuel. You need to see a liver specialist dietician for advice on fuelling and appropriate snacks.
This is what we were provided as an explanation of carbohydrate need in cirrhosis.
Introduction
When your liver is not working well or when you have liver disease, your body needs extra energy (calories) and protein. This is because sometimes your body cannot digest and absorb its food properly and therefore is unable to store and use energy.
Malnutrition (weight loss and muscle wasting) is common in people with liver disease.
Malnutrition has many causes, including decreased food intake due to liver disease symptoms such as:
-Loss of appetite
-Nausea and vomiting
-Feeling full easily which may be due to ascites (fluid collecting around your middle)
-Unnecessary or inappropriate dietary restrictions.
Good nutrition is vital to overcome symptoms of liver disease, by:
-Stopping muscle wasting and feeling weak
-Maintaining strength and mobility
-Reducing hospital admissions
-Helping wounds heal more quickly
-Speeding up recovery from operations and infections
-Helping to prevent ascites and encephalopathy (confusion caused by liver disease) getting worse.
Carbohydrate
When you eat starchy carbohydrate it is broken down into sugar (glucose). This is your body’s main energy source. Some of this energy is stored in your muscles and liver as a starch called glycogen. This is a back-up energy store to be used later when it is needed, between meals, if you have missed a meal or during a long fast such as overnight.
The liver co-ordinates the release of this energy until you next have something to eat; these energy stores are then replaced at your next meal. If the liver is not working properly and you develop liver disease symptoms, the liver cannot replace this store.
The energy from the food you eat only lasts for 2 hours. If you have liver disease and have no energy stores, your body must find an alternative source of energy after this time. Fat tissue is hard to break down quickly, so instead your body will break down its own muscles for energy. If this continues, your muscles will get weaker and waste away.
It is important that you try and eat regular meals and snacks containing carbohydrate every 2-3 hours.
To prevent muscle being used for energy and to keep you strong, it is important to ‘re-fuel’ your body regularly. Eating meals and snacks containing starchy carbohydrate every 2-3 hours provides enough energy to stop your body breaking down its own muscles.
Each meal should include a good source of starchy carbohydrate for slow-release energy.
Starchy carbohydrate foods include:
-Bread, for example white, brown, wholemeal, rolls, pitta
-Potato, for example boiled, baked, mashed, chips
-High-fibre breakfast cereal
-Pasta
-Rice
-Chappati
-Naan.
Examples of carbohydrate snacks for between your meals include:
-Biscuits
-Cakes
-Crackers
-Toast
-Small sandwich
-Tea cake
-Scone
-Malt loaf
-Crumpet
-Pikelet
-Chocolate bar.
Katie
Good morning Annie2402,
I can see our forum members are sharing some delicious ideas for you!
May I suggest you also ask your GP or liver specialist for referral to a specialist dietitian. They will be able to support you in identifying a safe nutritional plan or your own individual needs and requirements.
Take care,
Trust9
Hi, yes due to end stage liver disease and I've found my sweet tooth but luckily have never liked chocolate. Have protein supplements that I mix with soya milk and always keep tesco frozen cherries and ice cream in freezer. The tesco salted caramel pots of finest mousse are to die for. I'm veggie so I have quorn things and pineapple cottage cheese. Seems to keep me going
Best wishes julie xx
the frozen cherry /ice cream diet...sign me up 
Lol...xxx
Hello there!
Seeing a dietitian is the best idea.
Whilst a lower carb diet can be beneficial for certain people, it can be counterproductive for people with some kinds of liver disease. The reason has been stated above: your body needs available energy if your liver isn't working well.
It's always great to avoid simple carbs like sugar and empty carbs like white bread or cake but complex carbohydrates that release energy slowly are essential for people with liver disease.
I know that it's easy to lose weight with fewer carbs but in the long term, reducing the ones that have no nutrients can bring benefits, but not the ones from wholegrains, pulses, vegetables and some fruits (perhaps not fruit that is really high in sugar).
A dietitian can give you a decent list of what your body needs depending on your goals. And then you can control your diet safely.
All the best!
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