What type of fruit I take in jaundice?

Question

The patient should rest in bed till the acute symptoms subside. He should not be given any solid foods for the first few days of the treatment. He may be given plenty of fresh fruits and vegetable juices. The idea is to provide a high carbohydrate based diet as the liver is infected, and minimize the strain on the liver. Suji or dhalia porridge, soft custards, curd rice are other soft easy digestable foods. Fruits and vegetables are highly recommended, and can be used to prepare juices. Those like lemon, grapes, pear, tomato, carrot, beet and yes, sugarcane are preferable. Sugarcane juice, mixed with lime juice, being high carbohydrate can hasten recovery from jaundice. Half a glass of this juice, mixed with half a lime, may be given to the patient twice daily. It is, however, very essential that the juice must be pure and preferably prepared at home in a hygienic manner. Resistance is low in jaundice and any infected beverage could only make matters worse. It is also important to prepare this juice fresh each time and avoid storing it. After the severity of the decease has passed, the patient may be given a simple and well-balanced diet. The emphasis should be on fresh juicy fruits such as orange, apple, pineapple, grapes, papaya and mango, and vegetables such as spinach, fenugreek and carrots. The patient should avoid all fats like ghee, butter, cream and oils for at last two weeks and thereafter their consumption should be kept down to the minimum. Digestive disturbances must be avoided. No food with a tendency to ferment or putrefy in the lower intestines like pulses and legumes should be included in the diet. Other effective home remedy is the use of green leaves or radish (muli). The leaves should be pounded and their juice extracted. It should be strained through a clean piece of muslin before use.

Karuna Chawla · Accepted Answer

The patient should rest in bed till the acute symptoms subside. He should not be given any solid foods for the first few days of the treatment. He may be given plenty of fresh fruits and vegetable juices. The idea is to provide a high carbohydrate based diet as the liver is infected, and minimize the strain on the liver. Suji or dhalia porridge, soft custards, curd rice are other soft easy digestable foods. Fruits and vegetables are highly recommended, and can be used to prepare juices. Those like lemon, grapes, pear, tomato, carrot, beet and yes, sugarcane are preferable. Sugarcane juice, mixed with lime juice, being high carbohydrate can hasten recovery from jaundice. Half a glass of this juice, mixed with half a lime, may be given to the patient twice daily. It is, however, very essential that the juice must be pure and preferably prepared at home in a hygienic manner. Resistance is low in jaundice and any infected beverage could only make matters worse. It is also important to prepare this juice fresh each time and avoid storing it. After the severity of the decease has passed, the patient may be given a simple and well-balanced diet. The emphasis should be on fresh juicy fruits such as orange, apple, pineapple, grapes, papaya and mango, and vegetables such as spinach, fenugreek and carrots. The patient should avoid all fats like ghee, butter, cream and oils for at last two weeks and thereafter their consumption should be kept down to the minimum. Digestive disturbances must be avoided. No food with a tendency to ferment or putrefy in the lower intestines like pulses and legumes should be included in the diet. Other effective home remedy is the use of green leaves or radish (muli). The leaves should be pounded and their juice extracted. It should be strained through a clean piece of muslin before use.

Udaya Nath Sahoo · Answer

Hello,

Thanks for your query on Lybrate

"As" per your clinical history is concerned you can follow like this -

1)A good intake of fluids helps to remove excess bilirubin from the body through the urine and stool. Make sure that you drink clean, uncontaminated water. Vegetable and fruit juices are also beneficial as they help to regulate the balance of electrolytes in the body. Avoid canned juices. Usually a liquid diet is recommended for the first 4 to 5 days. Alcohol should be avoided completely as it can seriously affect the liver.
2)Once the bilirubin levels start decreasing, light foods such as fruits, porridge and yogurt may be added to the diet. You can also consume vegetables such as spinach and carrots. Some amount of lean protein will help in recovery and hence you can also consume egg. It is advisable to divide your meals into smaller portions and eat them frequently during the day. Refrain from eating foods that are oily or spicy. Sugary foods, artificial sweeteners and caffeine should also be avoided.

3)As the bilirubin levels reduce to almost normal, you can add foods such as rice, lentil or fish to your diet. Ensure that no oil is used to cook foods. You can eat your fish either boiled or steamed. Avoid eating meat or poultry as it may be difficult to digest.

4)Once the symptoms have subsided and you have your doctor's approval, you can eat foods cooked in olive oil. But try to avoid eating foods rich in cholesterol and those which are hard to digest. The body needs time to regain its normal functioning.

Hope that helps