Diet chart
Cirrhosis diet chart: protein, salt and the bedtime snack
In cirrhosis, the biggest diet risk is not eating enough. The liver stores less energy, so the body breaks down muscle during long gaps. Enough protein, small meals every 3 to 4 hours and a bedtime snack protect muscle and strength. With swelling of the belly or legs, salt must be limited.
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Key goals
- Protein at every meal: about 1.2 to 1.5 g per kg of body weight a day, unless your doctor says otherwise
- Small meals every 3 to 4 hours, and a bedtime snack every night
- With swelling: no more than 2 g of sodium a day, about 5 g (one level teaspoon) of salt in total
- No alcohol at all, and no herbal or 'liver tonic' products without asking your doctor
A sample day
Pick one option for each meal. Portions are for an average adult; adjust them to your hunger and weight.
VegEggNon-vegWestern
- Tea or milk with 2 rusks or a few soaked almonds
- Do not go more than 3 to 4 hours without food in the day
- 2 moong dal or besan chillas with curd, or vegetable poha with a glass of milk
- 2 eggs, boiled or as an omelette, with 1 to 2 rotis
- Oats with milk and fruit, and a bowl of hung curd Western
- A fruit with a small bowl of curd or paneer
- Unsalted makhana or roasted chana
- 2 rotis or rice, 1 katori dal, paneer or soya, a vegetable and curd, cooked with little salt
- Fish or chicken curry, about 100 g, with rice or roti and a vegetable
- Moong dal chilla, sprouts if they suit you, or a small bowl of poha
- An egg or a small portion of chicken
- Roti or rice with dal or paneer and a vegetable
- Fish or chicken with roti and vegetables
- Every night: milk with a roti, poha, a small bowl of khichdi, or curd with a banana
Daily targets
- Protein
- 1.2–1.5 g per kg of body weight (about 72–90 g, 60 kg)
- Fibre
- at least 25 g
- Fat
- under 60 g
- Vegetables
- 3 or more katoris
- Fruit
- 2–3 servings
- Water
- as your doctor advises
- Fried food
- at most 1 a day
- Sugary food and drinks
- at most 1 a day
- Salty food
- none
- 5 or more small meals a day
- a bedtime snack every night
Choose more
- Enough protein: dal, paneer, curd, eggs, fish or chicken
- Small meals every 3 to 4 hours
- A bedtime snack, such as milk with a roti or poha
- Fresh home-cooked food with little salt
- Fibre and fluids that keep motions soft, as constipation can bring on confusion
Cut down
- Added salt, papad, pickles, namkeen and packaged foods, if you have swelling
- Alcohol, completely
- Raw or undercooked meat, eggs and seafood
- Herbal remedies and supplements not prescribed by your doctor
- Low-sodium salt substitutes, which contain potassium, unless your doctor agrees
Good to know
- Do not cut protein unless your doctor tells you to, even if you have had confusion (hepatic encephalopathy)
- The bedtime snack helps protect muscle
- Fluid limits are needed only for some people with low sodium in the blood; follow your doctor's advice
- If you have swelling, weigh yourself daily; a sudden gain means fluid is building up
If you also have
Diabetes
Diabetes is common in cirrhosis. Spread carbohydrates across small meals, keep the bedtime snack, and avoid sweets and juices. Low sugar is dangerous in cirrhosis, so do not skip meals.
High BP or heart disease
The salt limit for swelling also helps blood pressure. Some BP medicines, such as beta blockers, are used to protect the veins in cirrhosis; take them exactly as prescribed.
Kidney disease
Kidney problems are common in advanced cirrhosis. Protein, potassium and fluid targets must come from your doctor, not a general chart. Ask before using coconut water or salt substitutes, especially if you take water pills.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy with cirrhosis is high risk and needs joint care by a liver specialist and an obstetrician.
Age over 65
Muscle loss is a bigger risk with age. Keep protein up, keep the bedtime snack, and add gentle strength exercises if your doctor agrees.
Track today's food
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Common questions
How much protein should a cirrhosis patient eat?
Usually about 1.2 to 1.5 g per kg of body weight a day, spread across meals. For a 60 kg person, that is about 70 to 90 g a day. Your doctor may adjust this.
How much salt is allowed with ascites?
No more than 2 g of sodium a day, which is about 5 g, or one level teaspoon, of salt in total, including salt in cooking and packaged foods.
Should people with cirrhosis avoid non-veg?
No. Eggs, fish and chicken are good protein sources. Cook them well, with little salt.
Why is a bedtime snack advised?
The liver stores less energy in cirrhosis. A snack at night shortens the overnight fast and protects muscle.
When to see a doctor
Anyone with cirrhosis needs regular specialist follow-up. Go urgently for vomiting blood, black stools, confusion or excessive sleepiness, fever, or quickly increasing swelling.
Other diet charts
General guidance for adults, not a personal prescription. Food values are estimates for a typical home serving. If you have kidney disease, are pregnant, or have been given a specific diet by your doctor, follow that advice.