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Chronic hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B or C virus. Hepatitis causes ongoing injury to liver cells. Fatigue is the most common symptom of chronic hepatitis. Many people also experience loss of appetite, nausea, stomach upset, and diarrhea.
A special diet is not needed for chronic hepatitis. However, good nutrition can help the damaged liver to heal. Eat a diet that is rich in nutrients for the best chance to stay healthy. Your body needs protein, carbohydrates, and fat, along with vitamins and minerals to function well and repair damaged tissues.
Sometimes the symptoms of hepatitis make it difficult to eat a nutritious diet. The following nutrition guidelines are for persons with mild symptoms of hepatitis. If your symptoms get worse, see your doctor or health care provider.
Proteins are the building blocks for cells and tissues, including your liver. You need to eat foods high in protein at each meal to help your liver to heal. Protein needs can vary depending on the stage of liver disease. A dietitian can help you determine how much protein you need. In general you should:
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Eat 2 to 3 servings of meat or meat alternatives every day. These foods include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dried beans, tofu, nuts, and seeds. |
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Eat 2 to 3 servings of milk and alternatives every day. These foods include milk, soy beverage, yogurt, and cheese. If you do not eat milk and alternatives, consult a dietitian. |
For information on nutrition and food choices, call Dial-A-Dietitian and speak with a registered dietitian.
Calories provide fuel for your body to function well. Your body, including organs such as the brain, liver, and heart, needs a steady supply of fuel. You need to get enough calories every day. This helps your body use the protein to repair tissues; otherwise your body uses the protein you eat to provide fuel and it is not available for tissue repair. If you are losing weight, you are probably not getting enough calories. Try to eat enough food to maintain a healthy weight.
Suggestions to get enough calories:
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Eat 5 or 6 times per day. Try not to go more than 2 or 3 hours without eating. If you have lost your appetite, try to eat small amounts regularly, even if you are not hungry. |
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Eat 6 to 8 servings of grain products such as breads, cereal, rice, or pasta. Be sure to have some of these foods with each meal and snack. |
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Eat 7 to10 servings of fruit and vegetables. |
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If you are too tired to make meals, keep plenty of nutritious snack foods and easy-to-prepare foods on hand, such as bread, bagels, muffins, fruits, vegetables, yogurt and pudding. |
Sometimes you may not be able to digest fat very well. You may feel sick to your stomach or have diarrhea after eating fatty foods. If this occurs, limit your fat intake by choosing lower-fat foods. Remember that fat is a valuable source of calories, so try to eat at least a little fat each day, especially if you need to gain weight.
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Eat lower-fat protein choices such as low-fat or skim milk, low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, lean meats, chicken, fish, tofu or beans. |
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Avoid fried or greasy foods and limit margarine, butter and oils to 2 to 3 tablespoons a day. |
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Eat more breads, cereals, rice, pasta, fruits and vegetables as these foods are lower in fat. |
People with hepatitis may not absorb or use nutrients properly. If you are not eating well or have vomiting or diarrhea, you are more likely to need a vitamin/mineral supplement. However, if your liver is not working well, there is an increased risk of toxic reactions if you take high doses of some vitamins and minerals.
Check with your doctor before you take any type of supplement or herbal product. Your doctor may suggest you take a general multivitamin-mineral supplement. It is important to avoid taking very high doses of any vitamin or mineral, especially iron or vitamin A, unless prescribed by your doctor.
Alcohol can damage your liver, increasing the problems caused by hepatitis. To be safe, it is best not to drink alcohol at all. For more information, see BC HealthFile #40b Living Well with Hepatitis C Virus Infection.
Moderate physical activity may improve appetite, decrease stress and help with symptoms of depression. If you have been inactive for a long time increase your activity slowly. Remember to check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
If you are having problems with eating, ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian, or call Dial-A-Dietitian at 604-732-9191 or 1-800-667-3438.
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