World Hepatitis Day-27th July
Hepatitis is an infectious disease characterized by inflammation and degeneration of the Liver cells. The treatment involves adequate rest, a nutritious high-protein, high carbohydrate, moderate fat diet. Here are the considerations kept in mind while treating a patient suffering from Hepatitis:
Serving six to eight small frequent meals ensures effective digestion and better appetite.
In the initial acute stages, the patient should be offered semi-solid, liquid diet with low fat. This assists recovery from nausea and also avoids stress on all the gastro organs.
Fat/oil/ghee/butter should be avoided in the initial few days.
As the convalescence progresses, a wider selection of food with texture and
consistency changes can be offered.
Foods which can be included: Sugar, glucose, honey, cereals, pulses, skimmed milk
and milk products, boiled/poached eggs, fruits and vegetables ( certain strongly flavored
vegetables may aggravate nausea),coconut water, not too spicy pudina chutney and
coconut chutney, low fat puddings and sweets.
Foods which should be avoided: fried and fatty foods, fats and oils, nuts and oilseeds,
strongly flavoured vegetables and meats, Spicy Food and oily Pickles. Alcoholic
beverages are advised to be avoided at least for a year.
The objectives of diet therapy are to:
· To relieve symptoms
· To aid in the regeneration of liver tissues
· To prevent further damage to the Liver
· Avoid relapse and ensure fast recovery.
The following Dietary Modifications are made to achieve the above objectives:
Protein
In acute severe cases, protein intake is restricted as the Liver is unable to tolerate high protein load. But in mild and moderate cases, high biological value proteins are advised. Low fat dairy products, eggs, Protein beverages can be offered. Milk based desserts like custards, kheer, rasgulla should be encouraged.
Carbohydrates
A high carbohydrate diet is recommended to provide bulk of energy, to build up glycogen stores in the liver as a protection against fatty infiltration as well as protein sparing action. Simple carbohydrates like glucose, sugar, honey, fruits, fruit juices, and starches from cereals like rice, breads, sabudana and potatoes, sweet potatoes are recommended.
Fats and Oils
In Hepatitis, the liver is in distress and digestion and absorption of fats is affected because of impaired bile secretion. Therefore, it is advised to limit the fat intake to 2-3 tablespoons in a day. Tolerance of the patient should be kept in mind. Eggs, milk are also a source of emulsified fat i.e. do not require bile for digestion and hence can be included in diet. Coconut oil is better tolerated as it is a source of Medium Chain Triglycerides that is directly absorbed and doesn’t require digestion.
Minerals
The diet should provide all minerals particularly Calcium and Iron in adequate amounts due to increased tissue catabolism.
Vitamins
Requirement of all vitamins especially Vitamin A, C, K and B-group is increased. Therefore, all fruits and vegetables especially green leafy and colored vegetables should be included. Supplements of these vitamins can also be given.
Five quick Tips to make ‘Therapeutic diet for Hepatitis’ interesting.
Navratan Khicdi- pressure cook rice and grated carrots with a little salt and water in one cooker and in another cooker boil rice and grated beetroots with a little salt. Let the khicdi cook according to desired consistency. After the two gruels are cooked and mashed serve them together on a deep bowl, one half can be carrot khicdi and the other beetroot khicdi. Relish this with a bowl of Pudina ki chutney which will make the meal very colourful. Carrots, Beetrrots and Mint provide Vitamin A which is required in plenty to heal a Hepatic Liver.
Lauki ki kheer- the requirement for sugars is increased for a hepatitis patient as excess calories puts less stress on liver allowing it to recuperate faster. Grate and boil one-fourth of a Lauki in about half a liter of skimmed milk till the kheer becomes thick and lauki seems well-cooked. Add sugar or jaggery to this and enjoy kheer with a difference.
Yellow moongh dal ka cheela- soak yellow moongh dal for minimum 4 hours in water. After soaking rinse away the water (use it for kneading dough as it contains water soluble vitamins) and grind the dal well in to a fine paste. Garnish the batter with green chillies, finely chopped onions, coriander leaves and make in to pancakes on a non-stick pan. This is a healthier substitute to rotis for a Hepatitis patient as it is higher in proteins.
Radish and Amla salad – both are great detoxifier for the liver. Amla can be chopped in to small cubes/slices and cooked in a pressure cooker with very little water and sugar. After one whistle, cool the amlas and add chopped radish, a little lemon juice and rock salt. Enjoy the tangy-bitter combination of these two natural detoxifiers.
Fruit Sorbet- Puree a banana and a few jamuns or strawberries along with ice and some sugar in a blender. Chill this slush in the freezer for a while. Add a little honey on top and enjoy this refreshing sorbet as dessert.
