Hepatitis C is an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus, or HCV, which attacks the liver and causes inflammation. A person with hepatitis C may experience symptoms such as fever, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, muscle and joint pains or tenderness in the abdominal area of the liver. Some people can have HCV for years with no symptoms, and the condition goes undetected until a routine medical test. Prolonged hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Treatment for hepatitis C includes medication and making some diet and lifestyle changes to help your liver heal while ensuring you get proper nutrition.
Step 1
Eat plenty of complex carbohydrates such as whole-grain bread, flour or pasta, carrots, winter squash, peas, beans, rice, oats and corn. Substitute whole-grain foods for refined foods or foods made with white flour to make it easier to incorporate complex carbs into your diet.
Step 2
Consult with your doctor to determine how much protein you should eat. According to the Hepatitis Foundation International website, people with hepatitis C should watch their protein intake to avoid excess protein in the blood due to the liver's inability to use protein. This can lead to hepatic encephalopathy, or mental confusion, which results when brain function is affected by toxic buildup caused by the excess protein. Sources of protein include eggs, lean meats, poultry and fish.
Step 3
Eat two to four servings of fruit and three to five servings of vegetables per day, as recommended on the Hepatitis C Challenge website. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables each day, and make sure each meal has a vegetable or fruit.
Step 4
Choose monounsaturated fats such as canola oil, extra-virgin olive oil and seeds such as peanuts, almonds and cashews. Fish such as sardines and salmon contain omega-3 fatty acids that are good for your heart as as well as your liver. trim fat from your diet by baking, grilling or broiling your meats or poultry, choosing low-fat or skim milk, and avoiding high-fat breads and sauces like croissants, doughnuts, muffins and gravies.
Step 5
Limit consumption of sweets to an occasional treat now and then to avoid eating too many calories and fat. No more than 30 percent of your daily calories should come from fat.
Step 6
Avoid processed foods like canned soups or frozen dinners that are usually high in sodium. Other high-sodium foods to avoid are cold cuts, luncheon meats, ketchup and mayonnaise.
Step 7
Drink plenty of water. Divide your body weight by two and drink that amount in ounces of water per day. You can get water from drinking other beverages such as coffee, juice or tea, but these are not substitutes for water. If you opt for bottled fruit juices, make sure they do not have added sugar.
