Diet for Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

Hepatitis C is a severe disease caused by a virus. In time, chronic hep C, a serious complication, can result . Without proper care, your liver can develop scarring and damage, known as cirrhosis. Adopting a healthier diet can help to ward off cirrhosis, as well as extend the overall health of your liver. It may help to have your physician refer you to a nutrition specialist to help you develop a diet based on your condition and dietary needs.

Fruits & Vegetables

• According to the Mayo Clinic, incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Eat more leafy greens such as spinach and kale. Vegetables such as beans and lentils provide good forms of protein that don't break down into amino acids and ammonia, as meat does. Incorporating berries into fruit smoothies are a great way to get fruits into your diet. Fruits that contain needed vitamins are blueberries, strawberries and oranges.

Minimize Red Meats

• Excessive protein intake from red meats is bad for chronic hep C patients because red meat breaks down into toxins that can reach the brain. As a result, you can develop hepatic encephalopathy. Hepatic encephalopathy can cause confusion and temporary memory loss.

  Red meats also contain iron. Iron can accumulate within your liver, and eating excessive amounts of red meat may exacerbate your condition. Eating small portions of meat may be okay with your diet. Speak with your physician about whether having red meat is allowed in a diet for your condition.

Avoid Alcohol

• It is important to not drink when you have chronic hep C. Any amount of alcohol can cause the speeding up of liver damage. Excessive drinking can also result in cirrhosis. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking too much alcohol can also possibly cause liver cancer. Though it may be tempting to consume one alcoholic beverage a day, doing so is strongly discouraged for those living with chronic hep C.

Avoid Unhealthy Foods

• Cut out any fatty foods, processed foods and starches from your diet. Foods high in fat can contribute to fatty deposits within your liver. This can result in a condition known as nonalcoholic cirrhosis. High fat content and processed foods can also result in obesity, which can result in other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Use vegetable oil or butter only in small amounts. Also avoid sugary and salty foods. Salty foods can make your body retain excess fluids, which will make your condition worse.

Snacks

• Include snacks in your diet. Healthy snacking between meals will curb your cravings and limit your chances for wanting to eat unhealthy food products. Keep peanut butter and celery, cheese sticks, hard-boiled eggs, and apples on hand to eat as a snack. Yogurt ( as long as it's low in sugar) is also a healthy snack. Peanut butter, cheese sticks, and yogurt can be bought in low-fat forms. You can also buy low-fat, unflavored yogurt and put your favorite fruit into the yogurt for a snack. Even drinking water with your snacks can help reduce cravings for sugary or salty snacks.

Supplements

• It can be tempting to want to take supplements when you're confronted with a disease. However, it is very important to consult with your physician or nutrition specialist before doing this. Sometimes you can mega-dose with vitamins, which can result in undesirable effects upon your body. Mega-dosing of vitamins can make liver disease worse.