Foods

[Sstteevve]

i have cirrhosis iv been out of hospital almost a year i heard red meat is not allowed but not from a doctor : im i allowed to eat stake?

[AyrshireK]

My hubby has had appointments with a liver specialist dietician and never once has he been told he can't eat red meat and still does since protein is very important in his diet to maintain muscle. (Meat & poultry are listed on the foods my hubby has been told to eat & he likes lamb, pork, venison, burgers, sausages and even the very occasional bacon).

The issue with red meat is that it can lead to an increase in ammonia which can lead to symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. If this isn't an issue for yourself then there shouldn't be an issue to you enjoying the occasional steak.

If you are unsure of what you can/can't eat you'd be best to try and get some individualised advice from a liver specialist dietician.

You can read more about HE at:- britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Katie

[Sstteevve in reply to AyrshireK]

Thankyou Katie ❤

[TT-2018]

Best avoided for vampires but otherwise, I carried on eating red meat with decompensated cirrhosis, prior to my transplant, albeit in small quantities. A balanced diet is really important and it’s best to get advice from a dietitian, on referral from the doctors.

[Sstteevve in reply to TT-2018]

Thanks im still unsure so il avoid eating it tonight my dods going to be happy

[Sstteevve in reply to Sstteevve]

Dog

[Hidden]

Im just going to say it put it out there, I treat myself to a fillet steak every Saturday and I also have Cirrhosis.

I don't touch salt, calories, high fat consumption in the week, Im living like a Monk and its depressing but its what I have got myself into, nobody to blame.

But if you have been medically advised to avoid red meat, I cannot argue with that assessment, all im saying is if I don't get my TREAT once a week after all the effort im doing between that, then you lose hope or thinking what's the point!

It could be worse, but I wont offend Vegans....dont want to start a protest or a riot, were shielding after all👍

[Sstteevve]

Ok thanks i decided on chicken in the end but will be having a chat with my doctor this week cheers all stay safe

[Laura009]

We were told by my husband's specialist that he should avoid too much red meat so we stuck to chicken, turkey and fish when he had cirrhosis. But that was 14 years ago now so maybe over the years, more research has proven red meat is ok too ?

[Onesmallstep1969 in reply to Laura009]

Hi Laura009, Noticed that you said "when he had cirrhosis". Am I right to assume that your Hubby no longer has cirrhosis? If so, what tests let him know that he was healed? Hoping for the same.

[Laura009 in reply to Onesmallstep1969]

No love, he died of it

[Hidden]

As our forum member have said - you would be advised to discuss with a dietitian , with liver disease knowledge.

I have included links to our information on cirrhosis and generic information on diet.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Take care,

Trust9

[nichole23]

No it's beef and you have to keep that off your diet for now. Get in touch with a liver Dietitian.

[Onesmallstep1969]

Don't fool yourself. Meat, poultry, fish and dairy are not good for your liver.

[Laura009 in reply to Onesmallstep1969]

Low fat white meats and fish are high in protein which a cirrhotic liver needs. If you are vegetarian you will need to be prescribed protien shakes and speak to a dietician regarding other foods high in protien. Cirrhosis causes muscle wastage which protein and exercise will help prevent.

[Onesmallstep1969 in reply to Laura009]

You're right that the body needs protein. But most people confuse "protein" with meat, poultry and fish. Vegetables, nuts, tofu, soy all have tons of protein. Check it out.

[AyrshireK in reply to Onesmallstep1969]

You are both correct of course that the body needs protein and that there are many sources of protein including meat, fish, eggs, nuts, meat alternatives such as soya, tofu, Quorn etc. Just because one person follows a Vegan or Vegetarian diet doesn't mean everyone has to.

The dietary leaflet my husband was provided by a liver specialist dietician states :-

"Protein is essential to build and repair body tissue.

When your liver is not working properly your body needs more protein than usual. Extra protein in your diet can help to prevent further muscle breakdown and re-build lost muscle.

Try to include a good source of protein with at least 3-4 meals every day.

Examples include:

-Meat and poultry

-Fish

-Cheese

-Eggs

-Pulses such as peas, beans (including baked beans) and lentils/dhal

-Meat alternatives such as tofu, soya and Quorn.

"

So, meat isn't necessarily frowned upon nor deemed damaging to the liver, in some cases where Hepatic Encephalopathy is a problem then red meat might be advised against but protein from what ever source is important.

Katie