Contents:
- Medical Video: What is Hepatitis C and Why Should You Care?
- List of food recommendations for hepatitis that are good for daily consumption
- 1. Vegetables and fruit
- 2. Low-fat protein
- 3. Complex carbohydrates
Medical Video: What is Hepatitis C and Why Should You Care?
Hepatitis C is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. In addition to regular treatment to prevent serious complications, you also need to be more careful in choosing food everyday. Some foods can damage the function of the liver so that it risks worsening your condition. Then, what are the food choices for hepatitis that must be consumed every day?
List of food recommendations for hepatitis that are good for daily consumption
1. Vegetables and fruit
Hepatitis C can weaken the body's resistance. That is why fruit and vegetables must be in the daily diet of people who have hepatitis. Fruits and vegetables are rich in folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B complex which is very important for the smooth metabolism of the body so that it can support the liver to function properly. Vegetables and fruit can also help reduce the fatty acid content in the liver which helps improve the condition of people with hepatitis C.
People with hepatitis C are advised to consume fresh vegetables and fruit at least 5 servings in a day. You can divide this portion for every few hours. For example, one serving of vegetables and fruit at breakfast, after lunch, while snacking in the afternoon, at dinner, and snacks before going to bed.
Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits of different colors. The more diverse, the better. Make sure the fruits and vegetables you choose are fresh, not canned or frozen, so that the nutritional content remains optimal.
2. Low-fat protein
Food for other hepatitis patients who are not less important is protein. High-protein foods help repair and replace liver cells damaged by inflammation due to hepatitis C virus attacks.
Choose low-fat protein sources such as:
- Fish
- Skinless chicken
- Seafood
- Peanuts
- Egg
- Soybeans and soy products (tofu, tempeh, or soybean juice)
Milk and dairy products like yogurt and cheese can also be good choices of protein sources. Moreover, milk is also high in calcium which is good for maintaining a healthy body.
The amount of protein you have to eat in a day depends on your age, gender, and level of physical activity. Protein requirements per person can reach up to 2 grams per kilogram of body weight. But if you have developed liver cirrhosis, your daily protein intake must be increased to reduce the risk of muscle mass decline and fluid buildup. Even so, discuss with your doctor first to measure how precise your daily protein intake is.
3. Complex carbohydrates
Foods for hepatitis must be high in carbohydrates to help increase energy, but don't just choose the carbohydrate source.
Avoid overeating simple carbohydrates such as white bread, sweet drinks, soda, sweets, and all kinds of cakes. Simple carbohydrates can increase blood sugar and drop it back in a short time, making you feel weak and lethargic quickly. Moreover, too much sugar in the bloodstream can increase the risk of insulin resistance that triggers type 2 diabetes in people with chronic hepatitis.
The right source of carbohydrates as food for hepatitis C sufferers is complex carbohydrates, such as:
- Red rice
- Brown rice
- Oat (oatmeal or whole wheat)
- Potato
- Corn
- Sweet potato
