Diet for Jaundice Recovery

Your liver removes toxins and flushes out damaged and old blood cells from your body. When this process is disrupted, a waste product known as bilirubin builds up and leaks from the liver into the bloodstream. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is released when the red blood cells are broken down. An excess of this pigment results in the eyes, gums, and skin turning yellow. This causes jaundice.

Our diet directly impacts our liver, which is why a specific diet for jaundice patients is crucial. As jaundice is a major health problem in India, it is advised to check whether your medical insurance plan covers ailments such as jaundice.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at jaundice recovery food that can assist a patient in getting better.

Consuming well-balanced prescribed food for jaundice patients can support the health of the liver and help the patient clear some of their jaundice symptoms. Essentially, this jaundice cure food would include drinking fluids and water, eating vegetables and lean protein, and avoiding certain foods and alcohol.

Here’s how you can curate a jaundice diet chart by including the following foods in your meal:

• Drink Plenty of Fluids

Although this might seem like repetitive advice when you fall sick, drinking plenty of fluids and remaining hydrated plays an important role in the speedy recovery of a patient. Also, by drinking water, we can flush the toxins out of the body. This is why no list of jaundice treatment food is complete without advocating the benefits of staying hydrated.

If you find it difficult to drink water, you can consider infusing your water with some mint leaves, lemon juice, and cucumber slices for a detox drink. Sipping on water throughout the day will ensure that your electrolyte balance is maintained and weakness is cured to a certain extent.

• Fruits

Including fresh fruits in your diet not only ensures detoxification but also protects the liver owing to the presence of fibre and antioxidants. As they aid digestion, they are known to play a beneficial role in improving the jaundice patient’s condition. Here are some fruits that act as jaundice cure food:

• Berries such as cranberries and blueberries
• Citrus fruits such as grapefruit, limes, and lemons
• Papaya
• Watermelon

It is always recommended to consume whole fruits instead of fruit juices as the latter can elevate blood sugar levels. And so, for a healthy Indian diet for jaundice patients, whole fruits are essential.

• Vegetables

Vegetables are packed with essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamins C and E, zinc, phosphorus, beta-carotene, folic acid, and magnesium that combine to ensure a speedy recovery. Typically, the recommended diet for jaundice patients will include vegetables that are high in digestive enzymes and fibre. These liver-friendly veggies are:

• sweet potato, pumpkin, and yams
• olives and avocados
• beets, carrots, and turnips
• ginger and garlic
• cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli
• spinach and collard greens

These vegetables are readily available and can easily make up a healthy Indian diet for jaundice patients.

• Tea or Coffee

Moderate consumption of coffee can help lower the risk and subsequently slow down the progression of liver ailments. Similarly, owing to its high antioxidant contents, tea can help reduce inflammation in the liver, aid digestion, and assist in jaundice recovery.

• Lean Protein

Proteins aid the recovery process of the body by assisting with regenerating and repairing damaged cells. And so, every jaundice diet chart must include protein intake to enhance the production of enzymes that help with hormone secretion in the body. Doctors and dieticians suggest the consumption of lean proteins such as fish, legumes, and tofu. You can also include various nuts and seeds in your jaundice recovery food plan.

In addition to learning about the recommended jaundice treatment food, patients must also be aware of foods that must be avoided.

Certain foods can cause additional damage to your liver, so these must be consciously excluded from your diet. Here are some things that jaundice patients must avoid:

• Alcohol

When a patient is suffering from jaundice, their liver is already weak. As the consumption of alcohol directly impacts the liver, it can lead to an exacerbation of the already distressing symptoms. When the toxic chemicals in alcohol break down, they can cause inflammation of the liver and so it is best to steer clear of alcohol to ensure a healthy and speedy recovery.

• Fat

Consumption of fatty foods can stress your liver. And so, depending on the condition of the patient, doctors may either recommend eating fatty foods in moderation or entirely eliminating them from your jaundice treatment food plan.

• Sugar

Both processed and refined sugars can lead to fat deposition in the liver. Therefore, when your liver is healing, you may be advised by your doctor to limit the high intake of sugar. If you find it difficult to manage your cravings, you can reach out for some berries as a healthier alternative.

• Sodium

The sodium present in foods can lead to your body retaining fluids for longer than needed. This can prevent the effective functioning of the liver. Therefore, typically, the recommended food for jaundice patients would include low-sodium foods.

For a speedy recovery from jaundice, it is important to be mindful of what you eat. Loss of appetite can be an indication of a serious condition, and you will have to consult a doctor immediately. To help your condition, you can choose to have four to six small meals daily instead of three large ones. And, importantly, keep sipping fluids (preferably water) throughout the day.

As health ailments can be greatly distressing, it is always advised to invest in comprehensive health insurance to take care of your finances when you are working on getting better. A medical insurance plan is specifically designed to take care of your healthcare needs. However, before investing in any medical insurance plan, insurance seekers are advised to compare health insurance policies on the website of Tata AIG.

Comparing health insurance can help make an informed investment decision. You must also check all the inclusions and exclusions in your health insurance plan so you are not unpleasantly surprised when raising a claim.