Maximize healthy lifestyle and healthy diet

Lifestyle and diet can improve your overall health and sense of well-being. They also can help you deal with the stress of a chronic illness. But they cannot reverse cirrhosis or substitute for recommended management strategies.

Your care team can assist with specific diets and other advice. Your team may recommend that you:

• Decrease salt in your diet. When your diet is high in salt, your body may retain fluids. That can make your stomach and legs swell. If you eat prepared foods, choose those that are low in sodium and eat them in small amounts. Herbs and spices can add flavor to your meals.
• Choose lean proteins. Poultry, fish and legumes, such as beans and lentils, are good choices.
• Reduce your fat intake. When your liver is damaged, it may produce less bile, a substance that is needed to digest fats. If you eat more fat than your body can digest, you may feel discomfort after meals. Eating less fat better matches what your liver can do and helps you feel better. Eating small meals during the day rather than one or two large meals may make it easier to follow your care team's advice.
• Ask about favorite foods. If your care team doesn't mention a favorite food in your diet plan, ask about it. Find out whether you may safely eat it and in what amount. It's better to know how to handle tempting foods such as ice cream and cheese than to eat them and worry about your health. If you usually eat a lot of something that isn't in your food plan, such as diet soda or eggs, ask about how they fit into your diet.
• Manage your sleep. Your body needs good quality sleep to heal and to allow you to keep up with work, school and family events. Develop and follow good sleep habits to make sure that you get the most out of your nightly rest.
• Quit smoking. Tobacco in any form increases your risk of cirrhosis-related complications. Your care team can help you choose a smoking cessation method that is safe and effective for you.
• Manage anxiety and stress. Waiting for a donor organ and other aspects of living with cirrhosis can be stressful. Moderate exercise, activities that are not physically taxing and support groups may help you relax. If they don't provide relief, ask your healthcare professional if prescription medicines are an option.