Essentials of Jaundice Busting Diet

Many of you may have come across something like this: “Do not eat this if you have jaundice” or “Eat this and this if you have jaundice”. Does it make you wonder why eating right stuff is so very important when it comes to being affected with jaundice? It does intrigue me. Here is what I have known from doctors and nutritionist about why eating right is so important and more importantly what you should be eating when down with jaundice.

What is Jaundice?

If you do not know let me share jaundice is a liver disorder that can arise due to several underlying conditions. These can be:

• Blockages in ducts that deliver bile
• Liver Inflammation
• Excessive breakdown of RBCs
• Gilbert’s syndrome
• Cholestasis

Due to these conditions bilirubin, the end product or waste that the liver produces by detoxification and metabolization starts accumulating in the body. This is what gives a yellow tinge to the skin and eye whites and commonly known as jaundice

Why Diet is So Important in Jaundice?

Whatever you eat and drink is processed by your liver. It makes absorption of useful nutrients possible and exports waste and toxins out of the body. It also serves to decompose damages and old RBCs. So when you eat right you support your liver to function normally, reduce and eliminate toxins, and prevent relapse of jaundice.

What to Eat in Jaundice?

You need a balanced diet throughout your life and if you have gotten off the track and suffering with jaundice as well, take this opportunity to set up things the way these should be. A balanced diet is composed of all five major food groups. Here is the way of eating right for jaundice.

Stay Hydrated:

The most important and critical point for reversing jaundice is staying optimally hydrated. Lack of fluids in your body can worsen your symptoms and lead to jaundice complications. Aim for drinking 8-12 glasses of water and add herbal teas to your day as well. Staying hydrated helps your liver infiltration. Herbal teas are a great way to obtain much-needed antioxidants. These also help to reduce inflammation.

Eat Fresh Produce:

Eating organic foods is very important in jaundice. Fruits and vegetables are your best bet to stay safe from added chemicals and hence burden for your liver to process. Good choices are Brussels sprouts, mustard greens, avocado, grapes, and grapefruit.

Add Fibre:

Soluble fiber aids the liver to get rid of bilirubin. This important component is found naturally in many organic foods such as legumes, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Add one or two servings of high fiber foods in each meal.

Few Tips to Aid you Eating Well:

While you are sick you might feel overburdened when told to rely only on healthy meals, organic foods and no quick fixes like fast food. But let me tell you it is not tough or unachievable at all. Here are a few simple tips you can follow to eat healthily and recover soon from jaundice.

• If you do not feel like eating one whole meal thrice a day do not worry. Eating small frequent meals is the fix. This will keep you energize and you can add options and variety as per choice.
• Keep sipping water, juices, or herbal tea of your choice. However, strictly avoid alcohol and processed drinks.
• Avoid using additional sugar or salt in your drinks and food.
• Use spices and flavors like lime for adding zest to your drinks and meals.
• Opt for low-fat varieties of dairy and use skimmed milk for making shakes or smoothies.
• Consider keeping a track of what you eat. You can create your jaundice busting food follow up on your phone or using a food diary.

Talk to your doctor and do visit a nutritionist to have more useful insights on this.