Liver Disease and Diet (1598) July 2019
Liver Disease and Diet (1598) July 2019
Liver Disease and Diet (1598) July 2019
Introduction
The liver plays an important role in a number of vital body functions,
such as:
Fighting infection and disease
Getting rid of toxins and drugs
Breaking down nutrients by aiding digestion
Storing energy
Releasing energy when the body needs it fast, e.g. when
exercising
Protein
These are the building blocks of the body and we need them to maintain
and repair body tissues. Try to eat foods high in protein three to four times
per day, such as:
Milk
Energy (calories)
This provides fuel for the body. At rest our body requires energy to
function. During illness your body needs more energy than normal to help
recovery and to prevent muscle breakdown.
You can use fresh, frozen or tinned varieties. Choose vegetables that are
‘tinned in water’. Try to not overcook them as some nutrients will be lost or
destroyed.
Eating pattern
It is recommended that people with liver disease try to eat a meal or snack
once every 2-3 hours, including a 50g carbohydrate late evening snack for
your body to use throughout the night. One of the main functions of the
liver is to release energy during starvation. The longest period we all have
without food is when we are asleep. When your liver is not working as well,
your body will break down your muscles for energy. Eating a 50g
carbohydrate bedtime snack will help prevent this happening.
Ascites
Ascites is a build up of fluid in the abdomen, which develops due to
damage to the liver and can put pressure on your stomach and reduce
your appetite. You may find your stomach expands and swells with this
excess fluid. It is important you eat a well balanced diet to ensure
adequate protein intake. Restricting your salt and fluid intake may help to
control fluid retention.
Most of the salt in our diet is found in processed foods. Try to avoid:
Stock cubes, yeast or meat extracts, e.g. Marmite or Bovril and soy
sauce
Salted savoury snacks, e.g. salted nuts, crisps, salted biscuits, bombay
mix
Tinned soups, packet soups and cup-a-soup
Tinned savoury snacks, e.g. baked beans, spaghetti in tomato sauce or
’pot snacks’
Takeaways, e.g. pizza, Chinese, curry or burger style fast food
Tins, jars, bottles and packets of sauces
Ready made meals (unless low in salt, i.e. less than 0.3g salt per 100g)
Limit hard cheese, e.g. Cheddar or Cheshire cheese to a matchbox
sized piece (30g)
Buy individually wrapped portions of cheese spread, e.g. Dairylea
Triangles
Tinned, smoked and processed meats, e.g. bacon, ham, sausage,
luncheon meat, corned beef, tongue, beef burgers, meat paste, pate
(use fresh or frozen meat, e.g. beef, lamb, pork and poultry instead)
Pies, sausage rolls or pasties
Smoked fish, e.g. kippers, smoked haddock (use fresh, frozen or tinned
fish in water, oil or tomato sauce instead)
Liver disease and diet www.uhcw.nhs.uk -5-
Patient Information
Mixed herbs, oregano Use fresh, dried or frozen in meat, chicken, fish,
or basil soups or pasta dishes.
Ginger or Lemongrass Chop finely and add to stir fries, Chinese dishes
or curry
Chillies, chilli powder Use to make chilli con carne, spicy pasta dishes
or crushed chillies or in curries
Fortified milk
1 pint full cream milk
2 – 4 tablespoons milk powder
Whisk together and refrigerate for up to 24 hours
Fortified milk can be used in place of milk or water to make coffee, hot
chocolate, milk puddings, custard, cereals and sauces.
Cheese
Cream cheese, cottage cheese and ricotta cheese are lower in salt so use
these where possible for sandwiches, on toast, low salt crackers or in
mashed or jacket potatoes
Yoghurt
Use thick and creamy varieties
Add to fruit (fresh, tinned, stewed)
Alcohol
After drinking alcohol, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and goes
through the liver first before circulating around the whole body. Therefore
the highest concentration of alcohol is in the blood flowing through the
liver. This can accelerate the rate of liver damage and therefore should be
avoided in liver disease.
Steatorrhoea
Some people with liver disease can suffer from steatorrhoea; a type of
diarrhoea that is often pale, greasy and hard to flush. This is caused by
insufficient bile, a substance produced in the liver to aid the digestion of
fat.
Reducing your fat intake can help improve steatorrhoea. However, fat is
essential and should not be cut out of the diet completely, especially
if you also need to gain weight, so it is advisable to seek advice from a
Dietitian. In the meantime here are some tips to reduce your fat intake:
Use low fat dairy products, e.g. skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, low fat
yogurts, low fat spread instead of butter
Use oil/fat sparingly in cooking
Avoid frying or roasting, try grilling
Use lean meat; trim excess fat and drain off excess fat during cooking
Replace high fat snacks (crisps, nuts, biscuits, cakes) with low fat
alternatives, e.g. tea cakes, crackers, rice cakes, low fat
crisps/biscuits/cake
used to boost your calorie intake. These are generally better for your
teeth too, but again limit to meal times if possible;
Don't forget medicines can be sugary as well. Try to take them at
mealtimes if possible.
Further Information
This leaflet was produced by Coventry Dietitians, University Hospitals
Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust. If you would like further information
or have any questions, please contact the team on the numbers below.
Contact numbers:
024 7696 6161 (University Hospital)
01788 663473 (Hospital of St Cross, Rugby)
The Trust has access to interpreting and translation services. If you need
this information in another language or format please contact 024 7696
6161 and we will do our best to meet your needs.
Document History
Department Dietetics
Contact Tel 26161
Updated July 2019
Review July 2021
Version 3.1
Reference HIC/LFT/1598/13