5 Foods to Avoid Eating Ever Again

Your liver does a lot for your body, primarily processing waste and sending it out through your body to get rid of it. This function is why Hep C can be devastating for you, as it severely hinders its ability to break down toxins.

Unhealthy chemicals and debris will stay inside your body, causing you to feel the adverse effects of having cells that function in a sub-optimal manner. If you want to avoid all that, then a change in diet may be in order.

You should avoid certain foods at all costs, especially if you already have a damaged liver. For your health and safety, we have compiled this list of the top five foods you should avoid when battling hepatitis C.

1. Oysters/Shellfish

I'm sorry, my sushi lovers, but shellfish can often come with bacteria that will usually get siphoned out of your body through the liver, except when battling hep C. You won't have the necessary tools to eliminate the excess microorganisms and will become ill.

That is not to say that she can never eat shellfish again, but if you enjoy things like sushi, raw oysters, or raw fish, you may have a tough time regulating your symptoms. It is best to cook your seafood dishes thoroughly to burn away any harmful bacteria that may lay within.

So you can still eat boiled crab and lobster but avoid anything raw or uncooked.

2. Alcohol

This one may seem like a no-brainer, but it is still worth mentioning that alcohol, while you have complications with hep C, can be detrimental to your health. Too much alcohol can lead to various outcomes, such as liver cirrhosis.

Studies have shown that excessive alcohol consumption during treatment leads to a greater chance of cirrhosis than not drinking it. It depends on your definition of "excessive," but it is best to avoid the stuff altogether.

3. Foods High in Saturated Fats

Saturated fats can be handled in small doses when the liver fully functions. However, hep C impedes the ability to regulate the waste from eating that sort of food.

Fatty buildup in the liver is much more likely when your liver is not firing at all cylinders, so foods like pizza, cookies, and fast food can be detrimental to your health. It is much better to replace them with unsaturated alternatives such as olive oil, fish oils, and plenty of seeds.

4. Foods High in Iron

With hep C, releasing iron is much more difficult than usual, so foods that have an abundance of it can lead to a buildup. Buildups can result in iron overload, provoking your cells to malfunction and potentially die.

Please note that iron is responsible for a major player in carrying oxygen throughout your body, so don't avoid the foods entirely.

It would be wise to moderate red meat, iron-rich cereals, and liver dishes because they are not the greatest option for someone battling the disease. It is best to stick to white meat alternatives like fish and chicken breast. But not too much, as we will discuss in the next section.

5. Excess Amounts of Protein

Protein is very good for you, and eating it leads to strong muscles and healthy joints as you grow older. But, with hep C, your body's ability to regulate protein is lessened; therefore, overeating the muscle-building blocks can be deadly.

It is best to avoid too much:

Fish
Chicken breast
Protein shakes
Almonds

These foods will need moderation because you risk crowding your cells. Experts say it is best to stick to a diet consisting of only 70-110g of protein daily because that is all an adult needs for proper cellular function.