Cirrhosis Diet: What to Eat, What to Avoid, and How Nutrition Supports Liver Health

A cirrhosis diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but food choices play a major role in protecting the liver, reducing symptoms, and preventing complications. Because cirrhosis is a form of liver disease that causes scarring and limits how well the liver can function, a targeted cirrhosis diet helps reduce inflammation, manage fluid retention, support body weight, and improve overall liver health.
This is especially important for people with conditions like alcohol associated liver disease, viral hepatitis, or other forms of gastrointestinal and liver disease.

This guide explains what to eat, what to avoid, and how to build a cirrhosis-friendly meal plan that supports long-term wellbeing.

Why Diet Matters in Cirrhosis

The liver plays many essential roles: it processes nutrients, filters toxins, stores vitamins, and helps regulate hormones. When scar tissue builds up, the liver has a harder time performing these tasks, leading to liver problems and potential liver damage.

A cirrhosis-focused diet helps by:

• Reducing fluid retention

• Preventing malnutrition and muscle loss

• Supporting muscle mass

• Lowering ammonia levels to reduce hepatic encephalopathy

• Protecting remaining liver cells and slowing further damage

Track your Cirrhosis Diet effectiveness and metabolic function. Understanding how at-home liver tests work is key to supporting your liver.

Key Goals of a Cirrhosis Diet

A healthy cirrhosis diet focuses on general guidelines such as:

• Low sodium (low salt intake) to prevent swelling and high blood pressure

• Adequate protein intake to maintain muscle

• Balanced calories to maintain body weight without excess

• High nutrient density to compensate for absorption issues

• Avoiding alcohol and foods that worsen liver strain, especially in early stages of the disease

• Avoiding trans fats, fried foods, and excess fat

What to Eat With Cirrhosis

1. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Provide antioxidants and fiber that reduce inflammation and promote liver health.

Good choices include:

• Berries

• Grapes

• Apples

• Citrus

• Leafy greens

• Carrots

• Bell peppers

Use herbs and spices instead of salt for flavor. Avoid canned vegetables unless they are labeled low sodium.

2. Lean Proteins

People with cirrhosis often require more protein to prevent muscle mass loss.

Recommended lean protein sources:

• Skinless chicken or turkey

• Fish (low mercury)

• Eggs

• Tofu

• Beans

• Low-fat dairy or alternatives like soy milk

Limit large amounts of red meat, which can increase ammonia and worsen hepatic encephalopathy.

3. Whole Grains

Whole grains provide sustained energy and help you get enough calories and enough energy.

Examples:

• Oats

• Brown rice

• Quinoa

• Whole grain bread (low sodium varieties)

4. Healthy Fats

Omega-3 and monounsaturated fats reduce inflammation and support overall health.

Choose:

• Olive oil

• Avocado oil

• Nuts (unsalted)

• Fatty fish like salmon

Avoid excessive saturated fats and full fat dairy products.

5. Low-Fat Dairy or Alternatives

Choose calcium-rich, low fat options such as:

• Low-fat milk

• Yogurt

• Fortified almond or soy milk

Low-fat options help you avoid excess fat that strains the liver.

6. Adequate Fluids

Unless your doctor recommends fluid restriction, hydration supports liver and kidney function.
Work with your healthcare provider or care team to determine your needs.

 

What to Avoid With Cirrhosis

1. Alcohol

Even small amounts can worsen scarring. People with cirrhosis must avoid alcohol completely.

2. High-Sodium Foods

Sodium increases fluid retention and worsens swelling and ascites.

Avoid:

• Processed snacks

• Packaged snacks

• Canned soups

• Fast food

• Deli meats

• Pickles

• Soy sauce

• Hot dogs

3. Fried or Greasy Foods

These are hard for the liver to process and often contain trans fats or heavy saturated fats.

If you also manage diabetes, it's crucial to understand what glucose in urine means, as high sugar affects liver and kidney function.

4. Raw or Undercooked Foods

Avoid:

• Raw or undercooked meat

• Undercooked meat

• Raw shellfish

• Unpasteurized milk

These increase the risk of infections that the liver cannot handle well.

5. Red Meat in Large Amounts

Large servings of red meat can worsen hepatic encephalopathy. Opt for lean cuts when consuming animal foods.

6. Sugary Foods and Drinks

Excess sugar worsens fat buildup in the liver and contributes to liver disease progression.

Sodium Guidelines for Cirrhosis

Limit sodium to 1500 to 2000 mg per day.

Tips:

• Avoid adding salt to meals

• Choose fresh foods

• Read labels

• Use lemon, garlic, herbs, or spices to flavor meals

Since liver disease often impacts kidney function, track both using at-home kidney function tests for regular monitoring between appointments.

Protein Guidelines for Cirrhosis

People with cirrhosis need:

• 1.0 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day

Mix plant-based proteins with lean animal protein to meet your protein needs safely.

Managing Ascites With Diet

Ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen) is common and requires careful management.

Strategies:

• Strict sodium restriction

• Avoid carbonated drinks that increase bloating

• Eat small, frequent meals

• Follow fluid recommendations from your healthcare professional

Managing Hepatic Encephalopathy With Diet

Hepatic encephalopathy occurs when toxins like ammonia accumulate.

Helpful strategies:

• Eat frequent small meals

• Include protein evenly throughout the day

• Choose plant-based proteins

• Follow medications like lactulose or rifaximin as prescribed

Chronic conditions increase infection risk; learn to manage this complication with our guide on urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Vitamins and Supplements

People with cirrhosis may be low in:

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin A

• Zinc

• Magnesium

• B vitamins

Take dietary supplements only under medical supervision.

Sample Cirrhosis Meal Plan

Breakfast

• Oatmeal with berries and almond milk

• Boiled egg

Lunch

• Grilled chicken breast

• Quinoa salad with vegetables

Dinner

• Baked salmon with olive oil

• Steamed greens

• Brown rice

Snacks

• Fresh fruit

• Unsalted nuts

• Yogurt

When to See a Doctor or Dietitian

Seek medical care if you notice:

• Worsening swelling

• Rapid abdominal growth

• Confusion or sleep changes

• Severe fatigue

A registered dietitian, hepatologist, or healthcare provider can personalize your diet and help you make safe changes to your diet.

Monitor hydration and protein levels (proteinuria) with a comprehensive urine test, which is crucial for managing both liver and kidney health.

The Bottom Line

A cirrhosis diet focuses on low sodium, adequate protein, nutrient-dense foods, alcohol avoidance, and limiting foods that strain the liver. These steps help patients stay healthy, maintain well being, and preserve quality of life while living with chronic liver disease.

Want to check your liver health from home?
You can take an at-home liver enzyme and fibrosis test through Ribbon Checkup for quick and accurate insights.

Explore liver health tests 

Related resources

• Liver Cirrhosis: Foods to Avoid for Better Liver Health

• Liver Reduction Diet

• Does Exercise Help Liver Cirrhosis?

References

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