There isn’t a specific diet to follow if you have hepatitis C, but eating healthy foods — and cutting out foods that lack a lot of nutritional value — is often a good place to start.
Everything you eat and drink must be acted upon by the liver. Maintaining proper nutrition can improve the health of your liver and may even reduce the impact of hepatitis C.
If you havehepatitis C, your liver is already dealing with inflammation. Over time, this can lead to scarring (cirrhosis) and reduced liver function. In other words, your liver is dealing with a lot. Eating well may help ease some of this pressure.
Keep reading to find out what you should add to your diet and what you should kick to the curb.
Getting the right nutrients is crucial to your overall well-being. Not only can it support a healthy immune system, but it also has a direct effect on weight management.
It’s important to keep your weight in a healthy range, especially if you have hepatitis C. Having obesity or being overweight can lead tohepatic steatosis, a condition caused by excess fat buildup in the liver. This can make hepatitis C harder to control.
People with hepatitis C also have an
TheUnited States Department of Agriculture’s MyPlateplan recommends the following for a balanced diet:
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide nutrients such as:
- fiber
- folate
- vitamin A
- vitamin C
- vitamin B6
- potassium
You should eat between1 and 3 cupsof vegetables each day. In order to get the widest range of vitamins, vary the types you eat.
A
When buying canned vegetables, opt for no-salt and no-sugar-added varieties.
Protein
Foods containing protein are very important. Protein helps repair and replace liver cells damaged by hepatitis C.
Great protein options include:
- fish
- seafood
- chicken
- nuts
- eggs
- soy products
The amount of protein you eat daily depends upon your age, sex, and activity level. Usually,2 to 6 1/2 ouncesof protein is sufficient.
Green smoothiesthat include protein powder can help you hit your protein and fruit and vegetable targets when you’re short on time.
If you have cirrhosis, your doctor may recommend a higher protein intake to
Dairy
Dairy products, such as milk,yogurt, and cheese, are a good source of protein and calcium.
Adults who aren’t lactose intolerant need between2 and 3 servings each day. This means about 1 1/2 ounces of natural cheese or 1 cup of milk, yogurt, or soy milk.
Whole grains
Whole grains are a good source ofdietary fiber, which
Whole grains include:
- sprouted whole-grain breads
- whole wheat, buckwheat, or quinoa pastas
- brown or wild rice
- whole oats
Opt for whole-grain products over white or refined varieties. Whole grains are typically higher in:
- fiber
- B vitamins
- zinc
- magnesium
- iron
If you haveCeliac disease, eat only gluten-free grains, such as buckwheat, quinoa, and amaranth.
The amount of grain you should have depends on your age, sex, and your activity level. On average, adults should eat around3 to 8 ounces of grain foodsdaily. At least half of those servings should be from whole-grain foods.
Coffee and caffeine
If you enjoy drinking coffee or tea, talk to your healthcare provider about including it in your plan.
A small amount of caffeine (as little as 100 mg) has been shown to potentially help
More research is needed to better understand these findings and their effects on other groups of people.
Green tea
Other ingredients in foods are in early studies for their potential benefits for chronic hepatitis C, such as
Green tea hasbeneficial propertiesin general in addition to being an enjoyable drink. Adding it to your routine may prove helpful as we learn more about it’s effects on hepatitis C.
Calories count, so think quantity as well as quality. Eating too much may lead to weight gain or obesity, which can
Your healthcare provider may also advise other modifications to protect your liver, such as a
These recommendations will vary based on your personal health history and needs.
In general, you should limit foods that are:
- fatty
- greasy
- processed
- frozen
- canned
- from fast food chains
Reduce your salt intake
Cutting out dishes that arehigh in sodiumis especially important. Salty foods can lead to water retention, consequently raising your blood pressure. This can be dangerous for people with cirrhosis.
If your disease is in its earliest stages, an occasional shake of the salt shaker may be fine, but you should reach out to your healthcare provider about how much sodium is appropriate for you.
Cut back on your sugar intake
Sugary treats, when eaten in excess, can lead to weight gain. To help stay on the right track, you may find it helpful to indulge every now and then instead of cutting sugar out completely. This way you can have your cake — and eat it too.
Fruitalso makes an excellent sweet choice.
Do:
- Drink six to eight glasses of water and other fluids each day.
- Create a regular eating routine that works for you. This could be three moderate meals a day or four to five smaller meals at regular intervals.
- Go organic whenever possible. This can help limit the amount of toxins and pesticides ingested through your food.
- Choose lean protein sources instead of fattier meats like beef.
- Focus on whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible.
- Use no-salt seasonings and herbs for flavor.
Don’t:
- Eat more than necessary to maintain optimal health.
- Add salt to your food.
- Drink alcoholic beverages.
- Eat a lot of overly processed foods.
- Rely heavily on dietary supplements to fulfill your daily nutrient needs unless advised by your healthcare provider.
如果你患有丙型肝炎,nutritional needs likely won’t stray far from the typical nutritional guidelines, though your healthcare provider can provide you with individual benchmarks.
In general, a good food plan is one that emphasizes vegetables, eliminates alcohol, and helps you maintain ahealthy body weightfor you.
Keeping active is beneficial while living with hepatitis C and in general, so talk to your doctor about what amount and type of exercise is right for you.