Question Regarding Food

[Sophia1968]

Morning all , I’m still waiting to hear from hep clinic, so no news yet, however I am a bit confused as to whether my diet is ok for my liver, I have looked at liver foods but I’m hopeless at putting things together and I have such bland tastes that I do not even like a lot of foods, it’s very difficult because I’m trying to juggle , liver with diebetes and also a wheat free diet due to my rare allergy (wdeia) I have cut out all chocolate, crisps, milk (used to drink full cream instead of water) I don’t eat any wheat, bread, cakes, chocolate etc, cut out fizzy drinks and have upped my exercise although I need to up it more…. My question is, are jacket potatoes ok or bad because they are carbs? When I go out with friends we often have lunch and due to not being able to eat wheat I am limited, so I can only really eat jacket spuds, ( not great for diebetes but I work it in with my numbers ) since my bad liver came to light I have carried on like this but removed most of the cheese so I just have a tiny bit, my cholesterol and triglycerides are always good and not high…. At home my foods consist of roast dinners, turkey, chicken or pork, new potatoes (I hate sweet pots) I don’t have roast pots, occasional mash ( no butter) I don’t have any butter or spread in the house now… I eat veg with the roast, I also eat gluton free fish fingers, mushroom omelettes, tinned salmon (don’t like fresh) and activia yogurt, tbh this is prob all I eat as in variety, I cut out all sausages and bacon and ham, I eat about two satsumas and two bananas per day, and drink only water now , although not enough, I have also lost 1.5 stone in about 6 weeks and and 3.5 stone in a year, I’m just worried that these foods could be harmful to the liver and I don’t realise it, I do eat gluton free chips sometimes and wondered if liver is ok to eat also, I would appreciate any advice as to whether I need to lose anything or add something in to my diet, I do eat smoked (is smoked safe) haddock sometimes ( once a fortnight) but can up it if needed, breakfast is hard cos I can’t eat cereal ( gluton free often high in sats or sugar) also I like tinned pease pudding lol, is that ok? I do check the ingredients and it seems ok, I just worry about it being in a tin, also the salmon in a tin…..thanks in advance guys , have a lovely day xx

[Tizzwas]

Sophia it sounds like you're eating better than most of us here!!!!Carbs are ok, as you need to eat more with liver disease but with diabetes I know it is a balance. If you've not been referred to a dietitian yet then definitely ask either the consultant or your GP to do it.

Basically carbs and protein are the 'go to' foods we need - it blew my mind at first as I was SO low carb but it had to be done.

Perhaps give the liver trust nurses a call, they should be able to chat you through everything xx

[Sophia1968 in reply to Tizzwas]

aww thanks tizz, see this is what is confusing me, I kvow with decompensated cirrohsis they need you to eat all the foods you normally shouldn’t, high fats and protein etc, but because I’m not properly diagnosed either way I am trying to eat better and lose weight, it was just the carbs in the potatoes that worried me, hopefully it’s ok then, I will try to speak to the nurses at some point, thank you so much for replying hun xx

[Tizzwas in reply to Sophia1968]

The spuds are alow release carbs so basically keeping you full for longer. I know what you mean, it's a minefield but honestly your diet looks absolutely fine from what I've been told personally. It'll really help to get a proper diagnosis though xx

[Sophia1968 in reply to Tizzwas]

Thank you my lovely, you have been very helpful xx

[AnxiousPete in reply to Tizzwas]

I don't think potatoes are low GI / slow release but the skins are good fibre

[retwos]

Stay away from processed food

[Sophia1968 in reply to retwos]

yes I definitely do this, I am scared stiff to eat anything processed now, thank you hun xx

[AnxiousPete]

I have compensated cirrhosis and have just reversed my T2 diabetes with weight loss diet adjustment and exercise - I'm doing 90k plus steps per week. Like you I was confused about dietary advice for liver disease with T2 diabetes but was able to balance fat carbs and proteins. I think avoiding alcohol ( I've been dry since diagnosis) lower / no added salt and avoiding processed food are recommended. Pork is not the best red meat as high in fat. I like fish so that helps. We eat wholewheat pasta and basmati rice ( both low GI carbs). I think advice from a dietician would be good to put your mind at ease. Do you have a glucometer to check your blood sugar regularly and are you in any meds for the diabetes ?

[Sophia1968 in reply to AnxiousPete]

hi Pete, well done on your achievements, I hope you are very proud of yourself cos you should be, yes I do have a glucose machine, and my diebetes is the best it has ever been, my hvac1 was really bad, it was as high as 9.8 and barely lower than 7 for the past eight years, my last test last week shows I am now 5.9 kind you I am on a lot of meds but I’m intending to keep low and reduce them, I also do more exercise now, are you on any meds for your diebetes ? Thank you for your advice about food xx

[AnxiousPete in reply to Sophia1968]

I was on metformin for 3 monthe then came off it in October my HbA1c was 78 the last three were 36, 39 and 40

[Sophia1968 in reply to AnxiousPete]

excellent stuff well done you x

[Aotea2012]

You are doing fine. I had a dietitian when I was first diagnosed with cirrhosis who was brilliant. I love to cook and she harnessed that enthusiasm so that I eat a diet that’s right for me. At first I was seriously unwell and my liver had burnt off a lot of muscle mass…so was on a high calorie/high protein, low salt diet. Over time I’ve reduced my calorie intake as I was putting on weight as my liver condition improved. So now it’s lots of protein in the form of chicken and turkey. I take in about 70 to 80g of protein a day. Low salt and the rest is a healthy med diet. So lots of veg and salad. I’ve managed to make that all taste great…using herbs and spices to replace the salt, and finding some great recipes which capture the nutritional content, which makes it easy. My dietician gave me the numbers I needed, I just apply to the recipes to meet them. So given your complexity it may be worth getting some help from a dietitian. Baked potatoes are super healthy. They do have carbs but you need them as part of a balanced diet. The protein you get from cheese is good for you, but in moderation because of the salt and fat content. Low sugar baked beans are a brilliant accompaniment…because they are rich in protein and fibre. An easy healthy food. The other tip with liver issues is to eat something before you go to bed. About an hour before. Your liver can’t store glycogen so it’s important that your body has enough carbs before you fast over night and doesn’t revert to burning off muscle mass. You are doing all the right things though…your diet sounds really good. So don’t stress too much…it’s just fine tuning.

[Sophia1968 in reply to Aotea2012]

thank you so much, your reply was very interesting and helps a lot, I think once I get proper help it will make things clearer, I just don’t seem to be hearing anything, I’m BC worried about liver cancer and scared I have not been checked yet xx