The diet for ascites is simple to follow because it consists especially of reducing salt in food and increasing the consumption of diuretic foods such as cucumber, beet, pineapple, watermelon or tomato. See a complete list of these foods in: Diuretic foods.
To reduce the salt of the food, without losing flavor in the meals, aromatic herbs, such as basil, laurel, parsley or lemon, ginger, garlic, onion and vinegar can be used. It is also part of the nutritional treatment for ascites to limit the intake of water to 500 ml per day, and may be in the form of therapeutic tea, such as tea, pineapple and stinging. To learn more about this tea see: Home remedy for ascites.
Foods forbidden in ascites
In the diet for ascites, it is important to eliminate salt-rich foods such as:
- Sausages;
- Canned;
- Pre-prepared foods;
- Ready-made spices, chicken broth;
- Sauces;
- Chips;
- Soft drinks;
- Ajinomoto.
In addition, it is important to remove the salt shaker from the table and read the food labels, as the salt may appear under other names, such as monosodium glutamate, sodium cyclamate, sodium saccharin, sodium alginate, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, sodium propionate, disodium phosphate, sodium benzoate, sodium bicarbonate or sodium caseinate, for example.
Some medicines may also have salt in their composition, such as effervescent salts, laxatives or sodium dipyrone, so it is important to seek medical advice or a specialized nutritionist when a specific diet for a health problem is made, as in the case of diet for ascites.
Diet for chylous ascites
In the diet for chylous ascites, in addition to reducing salt from food, it is also necessary to decrease the amount of fats that are ingested. Therefore, in addition to avoiding the foods listed above, it is also important to avoid frying, as well as using oils and olive oil to season salads or other foods.
In some cases, it may be necessary for the patient with chylous ascites to feed through the vein prescribed by the nutritionist in the hospital so that the patient has all the nutrients needed for recovery.
Ascites is a symptom that is usually related to diseases such as liver cirrhosis or heart failure. To know more about diet for liver cirrhosis see: Diet for cirrhosis.
Diet Menu for Ascites
This example of ascites menu may be part of the diet for ascites, however, the diet of these patients is very specific and must be accompanied by a nutritionist. These guidelines are no substitute for consultation with your doctor.
Breakfast - natural yogurt with granola and apple.
Lunch - grilled turkey fillet with rice and arugula salad, purple cabbage and tomato seasoned with lemon and ginger. For dessert, pear.
Snack - 1 glass of orange juice with 2 toast and cheese mines without salt.
Dinner - grilled salmon with boiled potatoes and celery stuffed with garlic, onion, vinegar and lemon. Grapes for dessert.
This ascites diet menu is an example of an eating day, which should be discussed with the doctor accompanying the patient.
