Balanced Diet Chart for Hepatitis Patients: Essential Steps for Improving Nutritional Health
1. Introduction
Anyone with liver problems can benefit greatly from reading this information. Dr. Maizes provides advice on how to alter one's diet in a way that will enhance one's health. The book, written in collaboration with nutritionist Malden Nesheim, speaks directly to patients and their families and offers a thorough manual for understanding and taking care of the liver. This book is unique in that it looks at the important role nutrition plays in keeping chronic liver disease from becoming cirrhosis. Dr. Maizes recognizes that narcotics, alcohol, and chemicals are among the factors that cause liver mistreatment and that this is one of the reasons why hepatitis is so common. Regretfully, mainstream dietitians frequently fail to address the demands of this underprivileged patient population, although proper diet can .
2. Foods to Include in the Diet
b. Hepatitis Patients in Chronic Phase
Hepatitis is considered in the chronic phase if it lasts more than six months. It’s a different story with the patients in the acute phase because the damage to the liver in chronic phase patients is more severe. It may cause scarring of the liver tissue, which is called cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Due to the more severe damage, patients in the chronic phase are recommended to eat a more specific diet. High protein foods are still appropriate, but the source needs to be more specific. Recent studies have shown that a high protein diet with red meat is associated with the progression of chronic liver damage. Red meat contains a lot of saturated fat and it can increase liver inflammation. So the source of protein for chronic phase patients needs to focus on poultry, fish, beans, and nuts. Sugars and other sweeteners need to be monitored as they can increase the risk of diabetes, which is already higher for hepatitis patients. High fiber and complex carbohydrate foods are good to maintain the optimal body weight and to avoid complications of liver damage. Fruits and vegetables are still good, but raw vegetables may not be advised as they’re harder to digest for patients with ascites. The same thing goes for well-cooked legumes or rice and bread, which are better choices than pasta. A more specific diet does not mean the food can’t taste good for the patients. There are various kinds of delicious recipes for high protein, high fiber, and complex carbohydrate diets, and it may need some creativity to make the food become more appealing for patients.
a. Hepatitis Patients in Acute Phase
Hepatitis is considered in the acute phase if it lasts less than six months. Patients in the acute phase are recommended to eat a well-balanced and normal diet as they need it to have better recovery. Protein foods are appropriate, including meats, poultry, fish, beans, and nuts. Some studies have shown that hepatitis patients who get adequate protein have a shorter time of liver inflammation and better liver function. So the patients are cleared to eat meat to be able to get adequate protein. Eggs and dairy products are also a good source of protein and do not need to be avoided by the patients. High calorie and carbohydrate intake is also needed to be able to fight the virus. Patients may add sweeteners such as sugar, honey, and syrup to provide extra energy.
For hepatitis patients, the diet can be used as the most effective management tool. There is no one specific diet to be eaten by patients as it all depends on the stage of liver damage and the completion of convalescence. The diet can vary from person to person. But there are some general insights for the food that can be eaten by hepatitis patients according to the stage of liver damage. The main goal of the diet for hepatitis patients is to reduce the workload on the liver and to be able to process the food. Below are some general insights for the food that can be eaten by hepatitis patients:
3. Foods to Avoid in the Diet
A. Sodium intake must be restricted for patients who have ascites and edema, as too much salt can cause the body to retain water. The parentheses value is near the lower limit of sodium intake per day; therefore, it is necessary to avoid high sodium foods. The major source of sodium in the diet is table salt, so it is recommended that you do not add salt to your food without tasting it first (as most people do). Controlling what type of ingredients you cook with is also very important. Using herbs and spices instead of salt is a good way to add flavor to your food. High sodium foods to avoid include all canned foods, dehydrated soups and sauces, soy sauce, canned vegetables, sauerkraut, pickles, chips and other snacks, and fast foods. Try to avoid any food with the sodium content per serving of 100mg or more. The best way to control fluid balance in the body is to not only restrict sodium intake but to consume a moderate protein diet and to stay away from alcohol.
4. Meal Planning and Portion Control
Eating enough food to maintain body weight and carry out activities of daily living is critical for recovery from illness. If there is jaundice, you can add calories and carbohydrates such as rice, porridge, pasta, or bread to provide energy and avoid a heavy feeling. Usually, jaundice will cause zinc loss, so consume eggs, meat, fish, and liver to keep zinc levels in the body and to cure skin problems and accelerate wound healing. Cirrhosis patients and liver cancer patients must consume a lot of carbohydrates and their products to increase liver function, which is declining. Sugar contained in sari or cane will reduce fatty liver levels. High-calorie and high-protein diets are also needed by liver disease patients, such as hepatitis, to prevent protein-energy malnutrition. However, they need nutritionist counseling to restrict protein intake and increase protein utilization in the body and to prevent the accumulation of amino acids and ammonia in the cerebrovascular system, which leads to hepatic encephalopathy.
Balanced meals provide body cells with needed nutrients to maintain good health. A balanced diet means eating the right types and amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy for maintaining body cells, tissues, and organs, and to support normal growth and development. Hepatitis patients need to consume a high-calorie, high-protein, and high-carbohydrate diet. A high-protein diet will aid in the regeneration and repair of liver tissue. Protein and high-calorie food must be consumed when the patient has a loss of appetite. High-calorie food is the best way to increase weight, and high-calorie drinks provide energy. The patients must refer to the above diet tips for hepatitis patients to increase their immunity and regenerate the liver cells.
5. Conclusion
A well-balanced diet is important for everyone. For those with hepatitis, maintaining good nutrition is essential because the liver can become further damaged if a hepatitis patient does not eat well. No special diet has been proven to be effective for preventing, treating, or curing hepatitis, so it is important to maintain a healthy, balanced diet with regular activity and maintaining a healthy weight. It is important to avoid weight loss diets, as they reduce body protein and affect the liver's function. Fasting should be avoided as much as possible. Sugars, honey, and fats can be consumed at the normal rate. Alcohol should be avoided at all costs because it accelerates liver damage and cirrhosis.
When dietary changes are implemented, it is important for a hepatitis patient to find out whether they are able to maintain adequate nutritional intake and prevent weight loss. For these dietary changes, it might be hard to find what type of food from each food group is best for a hepatitis patient. This is where the Canada Food Guide can be of assistance. It states the amount of food to consume from each food group and is easier to understand than the food pyramid. This has been trialed before and has been shown to be beneficial for many hepatitis patients. This guide will also help when trying to maintain the correct proportion of food and to control portion sizes. Overall, a well-balanced diet is important for everyone and doubly so for those with hepatitis, to maintain a healthy and normal lifestyle.