What is nutrition therapy for cirrhosis?
Nutrition therapy for cirrhosis consists of a low sodium, high protein diet. The following information will explain why this type of diet is important along with tips to help you follow it to the best of your ability.
- It helps the liver perform its many functions
- Your body needs more protein and calories than it has in the past
- The body may not be able to store as many nutrients as usual
- It lowers the risk of infections
- It lowers the risk of fluid retention (ascites)
- It provides energy for daily activities and socializing! How often should I eat?
- Eat every 2-4 hours when awake
- Have a late evening snack before bed
- Eat a snack in the middle of the night if you’re awake! Low sodium diet Why do I need to follow a low sodium diet? Fluid buildup (often called ascites or edema) is a common complication with liver cirrhosis. Too much sodium in the diet can lead to more fluid buildup. Sodium is a mineral that attracts water and plays a role in fluid balance in our bodies. How do I follow a low sodium diet?
- Limit your sodium intake to no more than 2,000 mg (milligrams) per day.
- Sodium is a naturally occurring mineral found in almost all foods. Read Nutrition Facts labels to determine how much sodium you are eating (see Figure 1 below)
- Always look at the serving size, first. Then, look at the sodium contents. o The example in Figure 1 shows 160mg of sodium in 2/3 cup.
- Consider keeping a notebook and write down everything you eat throughout the day along with how much sodium is in it, using Nutrition Facts labels, like in Figure 1. o You can also use food tracking websites or apps such as MyFitnessPal.com or Cronometer.com to track your sodium intake. These are especially helpful when you come across a food without a Nutrition Facts label
- Use restaurant and fast-food establishment websites to look up nutrition facts and information ahead of time to check the menu’s sodium content to make a healthier choice.
What should I monitor when following a low sodium diet?
Salt is a major source of sodium. It is made up of two minerals: sodium and chloride. All forms of salt (such as sea salt and pink Himalayan salt) have just as much sodium as regular salt. 1 teaspoon of salt contains 2,300mg of sodium. Salt is often added to foods, especially processed foods, which increases their sodium content. Please avoid salt substitutes such as No-Salt, Nu-Salt, Also Salt. These are very high in potassium and may cause an imbalance in electrolytes, especially if taking certain diuretic medications. What seasonings can I use instead of salt?
- Spices (try Mrs. Dash salt-free brand )
- Herbs
- Lemon juice
- Vinegars
- Visit www.saltfreerubs.com for more zero sodium seasonings Water softeners If you have well water, water softeners can add additional sodium since they are often made of sodium chloride. Try using potassium chloride softeners instead or drink bottled water.
What if I am told my sodium level is too low?
This is usually from having too much fluid buildup in the body. This does not mean you want to eat more sodium. Remember, eating too much sodium will make the fluid buildup worse. If you are told this, continue following your low sodium diet unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
High Protein Diet
Cirrhosis is a catabolic disease, meaning that you are burning a lot of energy. For this reason, your calorie and protein needs are higher than before. Some people experience muscle loss due to their body’s increased energy needs. A high protein diet will help prevent this muscle loss and lower your risk of malnutrition.
The goal is to eat 1 gram of protein for every kilogram of your body weight. Divide your weight in pounds by 2.2 to find your weight in kilograms. Example if you weigh 150lbs: 150lbs is about 68kg. Therefore, you need about 68 grams of protein per day.
Include a variety of protein-rich foods with every meal and snack (see list on page 9). Eating multiple sources of protein-rich foods will reduce the chance of repetition and food boredom. Meal and snack timing Small, frequent, and protein-rich meals evenly distributed throughout the day will help preserve muscle mass. This means having 6 small meals every day or eating every 2-4 hours while awake.
We recommend a late evening high-protein snack about 1-2 hours before bedtime, such as:
- 1 bottle of high calorie nutritional meal supplement (e.g. Ensure Enlive, BOOST High Protein)
- Peanut butter on 2 slices of toast
- 1 glass of milk mixed with 1 tbsp whey protein powder
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt with berries
- Apple slices with peanut butter
- Hummus and pita bread
- Chicken salad with whole grain crackers
- Unsalted trail mix
When should meal supplement drinks be used?
Use meal supplements freely. For example, use them after a meal, or instead of a meal if you have poor appetite or are getting full quickly. You can also have meal supplements as snacks between meals. TIP: Keep a meal supplement in your nightstand for easy access during the night Remember
- Eat every 2-4 hours when awake
- Have a late evening snack before bed
- Eat a snack in the middle of the night if you’re awake!
- Avoid fasting or long breaks between meals and snacks
- Remember your low sodium diet while making high protein choices. For example, cottage cheese is a good protein source, but it is high in sodium