for Veterans and the Public

If you have hepatitis, you usually don't need a special diet. Just trying to eat healthy and not being overweight and avoid alcohol is all that is needed.

There are special cases, however, when hepatitis C can affect the diet:

• Patients being treated with interferon
  Hepatitis C treatment can cause side effects that make it difficult to eat. Side effects include loss of appetite, sore mouth and throat, metallic tastes, nausea, and vomiting. To see how your diet can help, go to the Side Effects Guide.
• Patients with cirrhosis
  As liver disease progresses, patients may lose their appetite and become so tired they have a hard time eating. They may become very thin and poorly nourished and be less able to fight off disease. They may need to limit salt in their diet to prevent their body from putting fluid into their legs and abdomen.
• Other medical conditions and diet
  People who have other medical conditions may need other specific changes in their diet. Conditions that warrant specific dietary restrictions include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, celiac sprue or chronic kidney disease.