Diet Chart For Jaundice Patients

Caused by inflammation of the liver, Jaundice is a disease that indicates the underlying disease process. During the breakdown of Red Blood Corpuscles or RBCs in the liver there is a by-product called as Bilirubin which is yellow in colour runs through the blood which gives the skin a yellowish tinge. If one suffers from this disease it is best to avoid certain foods that provide the liver with complex chemicals to process.

Foods that are recommended Jaundice patients are:

1. At least eight glasses of water: Water helps to flush out the harmful waste-products of the liver which is Bilirubin and helps keep it level in the blood under check.
2. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed.
3. Coffee should be consumed in a moderate fashion as it has been observed to benefit the patient.
4. Milk thistle, it is known to boost the recovery process by protecting the liver from harmful toxins.
5. Honey, Pineapple and Mango: It has natural digestive enzymes.
6. Fibre-rich vegetables and nuts: Fibres are known to absorb Bilirubin.

Also, avoid:

1. Alcohol: It causes tremendous pressure on the liver to break down the by-product of digestion of alcohol.
2. Saturated Fats: Found in animal fats, they are the hardest to digest.
3. Refined sugar and Sodium

1. Salt :For a quick recovery from jaundice the person must refrain from salt. Adding salt on a regular basis to foods slow down the deterioration of liver cells. So salt rich foods like pickles and certain fish varieties must be avoided.
2. Meat :All types of meat should be avoided when affected by jaundice. Meat have high level of saturated fats in them which slows down the recovery from jaundice. After the patient recovers completely it is permitted to eat meat.
3. Dairy Products : Milk products must be totally avoided if one has jaundice. The milk products include cheese, butter, buttermilk, curd and margarines.
4. Eggs : Eggs are difficult to digest as they have high amount of protein. The livers finds it difficult to digest the eggs so it is advised to refrain from eating eggs. After one recovers the eating of eggs are permitted.
5. Caffeine : Caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee should not be drunk when suffering from jaundice. They may slow down the fast recovery from jaundice and damage liver further.
6. Junk Foods :These are most dangerous foods when it comes to avoiding foods when affected by jaundice. They contain more amount of oil, fat and other adulterated materials that deteriorate the health and body of the person.
7. Beans : At the time of jaundice the nitrogen cannot be excreted from the body because the body cannot properly perform its metabolic activities. But eating beans will exert over load to the body and result in delay in recovery from jaundice.
8. Banana : Banana should be avoided when suffering from jaundice. Bananas are rich in fibre content which exert much pressure on the digestive system. It also increases the level of bilirubin in the body which increases the effects of jaundice.
9. Butter and Clarified Butter :These two substances should not be consumed when suffering from jaundice. These are rich in saturated fats that is harmful for the health and exerts further stress to the body. Daily intake of butter must be only about 7 percent of the normal total calorific intake.
10. Pulses and Legumes :These are rich in proteins and fibre. These cause distress to the digestive system and hence must be avoided during jaundice. They also cause putrefaction in the lower intestines which must be refrained from by human beings.

Don'ts

1. Avoid consuming foods that are high in fats like red meats and fried or oily foods as the liver is still weak and these foods will increase strain on the liver. Likewise, avoid consuming sugar rich foods and foods containing artificial sweeteners.
2. Avoid consuming juices or foods prepared by hawkers or even from restaurants.
3. Do not opt for large meals. Small frequent meals are advisable.

Do's

1. Plenty of oil-free cooked vegetables like potato, carrot, and cauliflower must also be eaten, because there is a special requisite for vitamin B and C for a healthy recovery.
2. Thinned vegetable soups, custards, buttermilk, and cold milk shakes can also be taken in-between the meals.
3. Take foods rich in carbohydrates like cereal porridge, bread, rice, potato, yam, custards to ensures adequate supply of calories. And It will help to avoid the protein breakdown.

1. Cereals: White rice(Porridge)
2. Pulses: Avoid in intial day's of treatment for fast recovery
3. Vegetables: All gourds-bitter gourd, snake gourd, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, ivy gourd, ladies finger, tinda,Potato,Yam,carrot,Beetroot and green leafy vegetables( All vegetables shuld be cooked)
4. Fruits: banana, citrus fruits-orange, mousambi, grape fruit, berries-strawberry, blueberry, black berry, Pears, Watermelon,Grapes
5. Milk and milk products: low fat milk, low fat curd.

Other beverages:

1. Meat and Fish:Avoid in intial day's of treatment for fast recovery.
2. Oil: 2 tbsp (30ml)
3. Sugar: 2 tsp (10gm)