Help advice needed

[ffarie]

My partner is currently in the process of being assessed for a meeting liver because of severe liver failure. He has been really careful to cut everything out of his diet that he any sort of alcohol in and we read all labels. Today though he accidentally had 3 mouthfuls of a frozen shop bought lasagne before we noticed the ingredients listed red wine. He’s now throwing up because he’s worried - he has a clinic appointment on Wednesday and he’s really worried this will affect his tests and he will lose his chance of a new liver. Please can somebody help with advice?

[velvetunderground]

Hi There -

They won't put much wine in a frozen lasagne, some of the alcohol will evaporate during cooking anyhow and he only ate 3 mouthfuls. I'm not a medical expert, but in my opinion that has no chance of affecting a future blood test. There is likely more alcohol in a banana. In fact the results are more likely to be affected by the stress that he is clearly putting himself under about this. I'd suggest he tries to forget about it and move on. By all means mention it to the team, if nothing else it will show how seriously he is taking this.

take care

Paul.

[TT-2018]

Hi,

It really is a good idea to try and avoid processed meals and cook from scratch. The biggest problem is the salt content in a lot of these things.

But I doubt that by Wednesday it would show in a blood test but I would definitely mention it in the appointment. It will show that he is taking it seriously and they can go through everything that needs to be avoided.

I can understand the anxiety that he is feeling but it demonstrates his determination to stick with the compliance. Good luck and I am confident that everything will be fine.

[deanw41]

The alcohol would of been cooked out and it would of only been a small amount anyway. Maybe the vomiting is anxiety. I personally wouldn’t worry at all. All the best.😊👍

[knaplock]

my husband is in a similar position. He asked his doctor about alcohol in food and was told not to worry as it is cooked off during cooking and all that is left is a slight taste. only worry if that will lead to him craving alcohol. My husband has had homepride red wine sauce and has had no problems.

[AyrshireK in reply to knaplock]

Just for future guidance - the Home Pride sauce is probably ok but when 'real' alcohol is used in cookery i.e. red wine, brandy etc. it doesn't burn off whilst cooking.

If you pour brandy into a pan and let the evaporating alcohol ignite from the gas burner you'd be surprised to find that up to 75 per cent of the alcohol can remain in the food. Add alcohol to the end of the cooking process and you're going to evaporate just 10-50 per cent of the wine off. Even the long, slow simmering of an alcohol-laced dish will leave you with about 5 per cent of the original amount of alcohol remaining in the dish.

More information about alcohol retention in food at:- culinarylore.com/food-scien....

Katie

[ffarie in reply to AyrshireK]

I heard this and it’s why I stopped cooking with wine. I use apple juice now (tried grape juice but it tasted too sweet)

[Kristian]

Dont worry it will be fine 😊.

[Yellowsydney]

Don't worry, explain to the doctor he made a mistake and you will avoid doing it again, my transplant was due to NASH cirrhosis and as far as I'm aware I was never tested for alcohol not that I had anyHilary xx

[Hidden]

Hi ffarie, your poor husband! It was a mistake and mistakes happen - all the other forum members have given you loads of support but just to echo what they say, just be open and honest. If you still have the packet, you could even take a picture of the ingredients to show the transplant team. Take care and hope his next appointment goes well - keep us posted xTrust10

[ffarie]

Thank you all for your advice! I am going to try and reassure my other half and will let you know how the appointment goes on Wednesday- he has a heart catheter on the afternoon too as they had slight concerns about regurgitation.

We don’t normally have ready meals due to salt content etc but keep a few in the freezer for when he needs a meal late at night or has trouble eating earlier as some food is better than none. The lasagne in question was bought for our 17 year old and I didn’t realise so the label wasn’t checked as I normally do this in the supermarket.

We never cook with wine any more - substituting with apple juice where an alternative is required. I feel much better about the mistake now so hopefully he will too