Diet for liver chirossis

[Bluespence]

Hi been diagnosed with early Chirossis can anyone advise the best diet please. I feel I can only eat fruit veg and chicken or turkey.

[Jender58]

Hi I was diagnosed last year with cirrhosis and was advised to follow the Mediterranean diet and limit ultra processed food..I did and list 5 stone and improved my overall health..I only drink black coffee and water.. good luck... the fat on my liver disappeared and my blood work has improved..

[Sunnyskies33 in reply to Jender58]

Great work!

[Oldbits]

Hello, the liver trust website has advice and suggestions on diet. Basically avoid over processed foods, salty food, red meat and try a Mediterranean diet. Be careful of takeaways and some breakfast cereals. Wholewheat pasta and brown breads are OK chicken, turkey, fish and pork. You can replace your beef mince with chicken or turkey mince, add herbs/garlic instead of salt to flavour if you find things bland. But the main thing is avoid alcohol (what ever the cause of your liver trouble) so your liver doest have to struggle to process it. Coffee is beneficial.

[Bluespence in reply to Oldbits]

Thank you for your reply. It is very helpful.

[MilliganHorse]

Hello Bluespence

You will get used to a change in diet basically a no or low salt diet was what we followed religiously and although difficult at first (you become fixated on the amount of salt etc but nearly all food is labelled these days) The main part of the diet is certainly more of Mediteranean diet and there are a few really good recipe books which you can buy on Amazon. Good luck it does work and can really make a difference to the overall health and especially Liver and Kidneys.

[Bluespence in reply to MilliganHorse]

Thank you.

[Aotea2012]

As others have said a Mediterranean diet is perfect if you have cirrhosis. I’ve followed it for four years now and have refined it to suit me. I keep my protein intake high too. So a lot of chicken, fish, turkey and veg based protein such as pulses and nuts. My dietician was really helpful at the start and suggested some really great ways of making my diet one I’d be happy to stay with. Being too strict in her view was dangerous as I was much less likely to stay eating the correct stuff if I was bored with it. So I use spices and herbs to make things tasty and help keep my salt intake low. I avoid processed foods like the plague but have the occasional takeaway as a treat. Dark chocolate is also something I have occasionally. I’ve always loved cooking and saw it as a bit of a challenge to make delicious meals which also ticked off my diet sheet. It’s worked though as my health is so much better and my liver is very happy. One last thing….absolutely no alcohol.

[Nibby]

I totally understand but don’t panic. Start slow and keep editing things in anand out of your diet. The big thing is to try not to have processed meats or red meats. It doesn’t mean none. I still have a hot dog but it’s every two weeks instead of more often. It’s also portion control. We’re not suppose to have an eight ounce steak. I started by looking at diet plans like weight watchers ( I’m in the states) for portion sizes. I went to a dietitian who really helped me. I preplan the week’s food which was the biggest help. I was diagnosed in 2007. I’m still here and my fibrosis score is better then it was then.

Good luck

[D6C2L30E-48 in reply to Nibby]

Does that mean the scaring has healed some if your fibroscan score gets lower

[AyrshireK]

You don't say what has caused your cirrhosis. If there is a need for you to loose weight then a Mediterranean diet with veggies, greens and generally a healthy 'balanced' diet will be needed. Don't rob yourself of carbs and protein though as a cirrhotic liver will find it easier to burn your muscles than it can do fat so you still need to fuel.

If you find you are struggling with either weight gain or indeed weight loss (especially muscle loss) then ask your specialist if you can be referred to a dietician (if possible one with a specialty in dealing with the liver and liver related nutrition).

Limit salt, processed foods etc. Keep well hydrated.

Katie

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear Bluespence

Here are the links to information about cirrhosis on our website, which you may find useful

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in... (including a suite of publications towards the bottom that are downloadable or can be posted)

If you [are in the UK and] would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday 9am to 3pm and Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm on 0800 652 7330 excluding bank holidays.

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[QuietButBold]

In tackling working on changing my diet to be more liver health supportive, I have found it useful to draw a table with 3 columns.

First column is for the list of things I ought to wean myself off consuming.

Second column is for notes of options / alternatives / the most cost effective sources of those items.

Third column is for reminders about the correct portion sizes and the name of example healthy recipes celebrating the new ingredient.

(That way, when grumpy autopilot risks kicking in, I can look at my table see the unhealthy item and easier nudge my choice across to the healthier alternative - as the "how much" and "what to do with it" reminder is right there).

It is not a perfect solution, but as others have said, to lapse may be human, an occasional treat can be valid, the important thing is to wean away from mostly unhealthy towards attainment of mostly healthy.