Liver cirrhosis is a condition characterized by scarring of the liver that can impair its function. Following a liver cirrhosis diet focused on nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and lean proteins can help patients get needed nutrients, prevent further liver damage, and avoid complications. The diet should provide enough calories and high-quality protein while limiting unhealthy fats, sodium, and alcohol, as these can worsen liver function. Tailoring the diet to individual needs with a doctor or dietitian's guidance is important for optimal management of cirrhosis.

1. Diet in liver disease

2. • Liver cirrhosis is a condition characterized by
scarring of the liver. This can lead to impaired liver
function and other side effects, including fatigue,
loss of appetite, weight loss, and nausea
• Cirrhosis has several causes, including liver disease,
hepatitis, heart failure, certain autoimmune
disorders, and excessive alcohol consumption. It
can also be caused by nonalcoholic fatty liver
disease, a condition linked to obesity and type 2
diabetes

3. • Thankfully, if you’ve received this diagnosis,
following a liver cirrhosis diet can help you get the
nutrients you need, protect against further liver
damage, and prevent long-term complications
• Keep in mind that nutritional recommendations
vary depending on several factors. While this article
covers some basic guidelines for a liver cirrhosis
diet, it’s best to work with your doctor or dietitian
to find a treatment plan tailored to your specific
needs.

4. • How to follow the diet
• If you have liver cirrhosis, it’s important to get
enough calories and high quality protein each day.
This can help prevent malnutrition and preserve
lean body mass — the part of your body that isn’t
fat.
• The general recommendation is to eat 16–18
calories and 0.45–0.68 grams of protein per pound
(0.45 kg) of body weight per day

5. • For reference, this means that a person who weighs
150 pounds (68 kg) should consume 2,400–2,700
calories and 68–102 grams of protein per day.
• People with cirrhosis should prioritize high protein
foods and incorporate both plant- and animal-
based protein sources into their diet. Adding
protein to every meal and snack can increase your
overall protein intake and may help prevent muscle
loss

6. • When following a liver cirrhosis diet, aim to limit any
foods and drinks that are difficult for the liver to
process.
• In particular, limit your intake of foods high in
unhealthy fats such as trans fats, including fried foods
and processed snacks.
• Cirrhosis can impact your liver’s ability to produce
bile, which is needed for the digestion of fats. Still,
unprocessed fat sources like nuts, salmon, and
avocados are fine to enjoy in moderation

7. • You should also avoid alcohol, which can worsen
liver damage and scarring. If you have trouble
moderating your alcohol intake or struggle with
alcohol dependence, don’t hesitate to talk with
your doctor and ask for help (7Trusted Source).
• Because cirrhosis can impair your immune
function, it’s also best to avoid raw or undercooked
meat, eggs, and seafood. Otherwise, you run a
higher risk of foodborne illness or infection (

8. • In some cases, your doctor may also advise that
you limit your intake of sodium to prevent ascites.
Ascites is a common complication of cirrhosis,
characterized by abnormal fluid buildup in the
abdomen
• Because cirrhosis can increase your protein needs
and impact your liver’s ability to store
carbohydrates, eating several small protein- and
carb-rich meals and snacks throughout the day may
also be beneficial

9. • Lastly, certain vitamins or minerals may help
manage your condition, since people with cirrhosis
may be at a higher risk of deficiencies in nutrients
such as zinc, vitamin D, vitamin K, and B vitamins

10. • Foods to eat
• A well-rounded liver cirrhosis diet should consist mostly
of nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts,
seeds, and legumes.
• Here are a few examples of foods to prioritize on a liver
cirrhosis diet:
• Fruits: apples, oranges, berries, pears, peaches, plums
• Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, tomatoes,
peas, potatoes
• Protein foods: eggs, dairy products, seafood, lean cuts
of meat and poultry
• Legumes: beans, lentils, chickpeas

11. • Nuts: walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios,
macadamias
• Seeds: pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, chia seeds, hemp
seeds
• Whole grains: quinoa, oats, brown rice, buckwheat
• Heart-healthy fats: olive oil, avocados, avocado oil,
salmon, nuts, seeds
• Beverages: water, coffee, tea
• Herbs and spices: black pepper, cumin, dill, parsley,
thyme

12. • Foods to avoid
• A liver cirrhosis diet should limit alcohol and foods
high in unhealthy fats or sodium.
• Here are some foods to avoid on a liver cirrhosis
diet:
• Highly processed foods: fast food, convenience
meals, canned soups, packaged snacks
• Unhealthy fats: margarine, vegetable shortening,
fried foods
• Salty snacks: chips, crackers, pretzels, microwave
popcorn

13. • Processed meats: hot dogs, sausage, deli meats,
bacon, beef jerky
• High sodium condiments: soy sauce, teriyaki sauce,
steak sauce, spaghetti sauce
• Undercooked foods: raw or undercooked meat,
poultry, eggs, fish, oysters, or mussels
• Alcohol: wine, beer, spirits, cocktails

14. • Potential benefits
• Although liver cirrhosis is not reversible, modifying
your diet can help prevent complications.
• For example, limiting your intake of salty foods can
promote sodium balance and prevent fluid
retention and the associated condition ascites
• Further, moderating your intake of unhealthy fats
can protect against steatorrhea, or excess fat in the
stool, which can be a sign of malabsorption in your
gut

15. • Further, moderating your intake of unhealthy fats
can protect against steatorrhea, or excess fat in the
stool, which can be a sign of malabsorption in your
gut
• It’s important to focus on getting enough calories
and consuming a variety of foods. This helps
prevent malnutrition, which is a common
complication of cirrhosis
• Not only can malnutrition increase the incidence
and severity of cirrhosis symptoms, but it can also
impair immune function, decrease muscle mass,
slow wound healing, and reduce your quality of life