Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important for everyone. If
you have liver disease, there are some special considerations you
may need to make to your diet, as good nutrition is vital to help
overcome some of the possible symptoms of liver disease.
For guidance and meal plan suggestions,
take a look at our Nutrition in Liver Disease
patient leaflet.
What a healthy diet looks like
5 portions of fruit and veg a day: This
includes frozen and tinned (not in syrup!). A portion is 80g, which
could be a handful of small fruit or several tablespoons of cooked
veg.
Starchy carbohydrates: These include potatoes,
bread, pasta, rice, oats and noodles - aim for whole grain
varieties.
Protein: Try to include protein in each meal.
Examples are eggs, fish, meat (avoid too much red or processed meat
like sausages or bacon), and veggie sources like beans, pulses or
tofu.
Dairy: Dairy provides the body with
calcium. Aim to have some every day. This includes milk, yoghurt
and cheese. If using dairy alternatives, make sure it is fortified
with calcium.
Oils and spreads: Small amounts made from plant
sources like olive oil are good, or more affordable options like
rapeseed or vegetable oil.
Avoid high fat, salt or sugar foods: Check the
front of the packaging for the traffic light label to
see if a food is high in these things.
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day: Avoid
sugary drinks if possible.
Coffee: 3 cups a day (prepared as filtered,
instant or espresso) may improve liver health.
What about if I have cirrhosis?
If your doctor has told you that you have liver cirrhosis, there
are some special dietary considerations. These includes:
- A no added salt diet.
- Having a higher amount of protein to prevent muscle loss.
- Having a bedtime carbohydrate snack (speak to your doctor about
this if you have diabetes or are overweight).
Tips for eating on a budget
Canned and frozen foods: Often cheaper than
fresh and still full of good nutrients. Fruit and veg tinned in
water or juice counts towards your 5-a-day (avoid those in syrups).
Why not try using canned fish to try and get to two portions a
week?
Use beans and pulses to add protein to your
meal - it can often be cheaper than meat. Things like chickpeas,
lentils and beans can be bought in tins.
If buying meat consider cheaper cuts like
chicken thighs, make it healthier by removing the skin which
contains fat.
Porridge oats are a healthy breakfast choice
and bananas and apples can make an affordable and
healthy snack.
Meal planning: What do you have left in the
cupboard? Set a budget and go to the shop with a list and a
plan.
Batch cooking will mean the oven is used less,
saving you money on energy. Leftover or old veg can be made into a
soup (add a can of beans to make it more filling).
Larger supermarkets offer a wide range of
products, which may provide cheaper options. If getting to the
supermarket is an issue, online delivery can be as little as
£1.
Local resources for eating well on a budget
FoodCycle offer free healthy meals for anyone
to enjoy.
Find a venue near you on the FoodCycle website.
Bristol Food Network has a list of
organisations on their website that support people who are
struggling to get enough nutritious food.
View the details on the Bristol Food Network website.
Too Good To Go is an app where you can buy bags
of unsold food from restaurants and cafes at a reduced price. Find out how the Too Good To Go
app works on their website.
Beezee Bodies offer free healthy lifestyle and
weight management courses for adults or families in Bristol. View the Beezee Bodies offer on
their website.
Food banks provide emergency food and support.
Look
up your nearest food bank on the Trussell Trust website or call
01722 580 180.
Foodbank voucher referral system. Many of the
foodbanks in Bristol use a voucher referral system. You can get
these from different referral agencies, including citizens advice.
See below for contact details:
- North Bristol Advice Centre covering North Bristol and South
Gloucestershire. Website: www.northbristoladvice.org.uk
Tel: 0117 951 5751
- South Bristol Advice Centre covering postcode areas BS3,
BS4, BS13, BS14 and some parts of BS1. Website: www.southbristoladvice.co.uk
Tel: 0117 985 112
- St Pauls Advice Centre. Website: www.stpaulsadvice.org.uk
Tel: 0117 9552 981
- Citizens Advice Bristol main office. Website: www.bristolcab.org.uk Tel:
0808 278 7957
- Advice is also available at East Trees Health Centre, Brooklea
Health Centre, Hartcliffe Health Centre and William Budd Health
Centre.
