Diet - liver disease

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• R
• S
• T
• V
• W
• Z

The dietary recommendations may vary somewhat depending on how well a person's liver is working. It is very important to be under the care of a doctor. Malnutrition can lead to serious problems. In general, recommendations include:

• Large amounts of carbohydrate foods. Carbohydrates should be the major source of calories in this diet.
• Moderate intake of fat, as prescribed by the health care provider. The increased carbohydrate and fat help in preserving the protein in the body and preventing protein breakdown.
• About 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight. A 70-kilogram man (154 pounds) needs 70 grams (8 ounces) of protein and two 8-ounce glasses of milk on a daily basis. This does not include the protein from starches and vegetables. A person with a severely damaged liver may be on protein restriction. This person may be limited to small quantities of special nutritional supplements.
• Vitamin supplements, especially B-complex.
• Sodium restriction if fluid retention is present.

SAMPLE MENU

• Breakfast
  • 1 orange
  • Cooked oatmeal, with milk and sugar
  • 1 slice of whole-wheat toast
  • 2 teaspoons of margarine
  • Strawberry jam
  • Coffee or tea
• Lunch
  • 4 ounces of cooked lean fish, poultry, or meat
  • A starch item (such as potatoes)
  • A cooked vegetable
  • Salad
  • 2 slices of whole-grain bread
  • 2 teaspoons of margarine
  • 1 tablespoon of jelly
  • Fresh fruit
  • Milk
• Midafternoon snack
  • Milk with graham crackers
• Dinner
  • 4 ounces of cooked fish, poultry, or meat
  • Starch item (such as potatoes)
  • A cooked vegetable
  • Salad
  • 2 whole-grain rolls
  • 2 tablespoons of margarine
  • Fresh fruit or dessert
  • 8 ounces of milk

• Evening snack
  • High-protein milk (milk with non-fat dry milk added)

  Usually, there are no cautions against specific foods. However, many people are unable to tolerate strongly-flavored vegetables, high-fat foods, fried foods, chocolate, nuts, and foods that have a lot of seasoning.

  If you have questions about your diet or your symptoms, contact your doctor.

Review Date: 09/02/2005
Reviewed By: William McGee, M.D., M.H.A., Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, and Director ICU Quality Improvement, Critical Care Division, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.