low sodium diet

[Lisa-H_1]

hi all, reading the last few comments this is where my husband is basically at. He is on diuretics but not been told a low sodium diet but I understand it is needed. We don’t use a lot of salt but is there some kind of check sheet that anyone has been given? Wishing all a healthy future. Thanks in advance.

[Oldbits]

Hi. Take a look at the liver trust web site under diet and cirrhosis. There isn't a 'tick sheet '. You may get a dietician appointment if you ask, we didn't get one when we asked but were given the advice by consultant which was avoid processed foods, ready meals and cook from scratch, reduce salt as much as you can. Eat a Mediterranean diet and avoid red meat. Also to drink coffee. Hubbie was on diuretics but I guess it depends how severe your ascites or oedema is or if you have other complications as to whether you are given a dietician. You can get a bit obsessive checking lables. Good luck.

[Lisa-H_1 in reply to Oldbits]

Thank you. Yes, I am getting a bit obsessed! Thanks for response. Hope you are doing ok.

[Hidden]

I quit alcohol easily but salt!!

I just love salt. On chips like snow.

But yes everyone I've met in the field of the liver says that salt intake should be restricted.

[Lisa-H_1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, will try and understand more . Hope you are doing ok.

[Beauport in reply to Hidden]

Me too! I simply can't give up salt. I need to know exactly what it does to the liver. Any idea?

[looby24]

my husband is on a low sodium diet because of mild ascities and it's tougher for him to give up salt than it is for me. He's been very good though. My understanding is that you should not add salt to food. The guidelines I believe are to keep salt below 2g per day. We don't have any pre-packed food and normally check the label for the things that you cannot avoid buying in a tin. There is low sodium salt as an alternative. I think the impact of salt in cirrhosis relates more to water retention/ascites rather than a direct impact on the liver.

There is also a sodium related issue in cirrhosis that is the problem of low sodium. I don't know how it works but you have the scenario of limiting salt intake and at the same time the danger of low sodium levels.

[Lisa-H_1 in reply to looby24]

Thank you, much appreciated and helpful. The same, harder for him than me.