Food in Jaundice

Treatment Guides Dr. Shekhar Poudel Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Kathmandu, Nepal . NGLC • April 06, 2026 • 2 min read

What are the foods to be taken during Jaundice?

Recommended Foods

Complex Carbohydrates: Target of 30–35 kcal/kg without metabolic stress for liver repair (Plauth et al., 2019)

Beaten rice (चिउरा)

Puffed rice (मुरै/भुजा)

Finger millet (कोदो)

Buckwheat (फापर)

Proteins : Plant-based proteins are easier on the liver and prevent muscle loss (Bischoff et al., 2020)

Lentil soup (दाल)

Chickpeas (चना)

Soybean (भटमास)

Mung bean (मुंगको दाल)

Crucial Vegetables: High in Vitamin K and antioxidants that support the liver's detox process (Jin et al., 2020)

Mustard greens (रायोको साग)

Garden cress (चम्सुर)

Spinach (पालुङ्गो)

Radish (मुला)

Fruits: Provides Vitamin C and enzymes that assist in liver function (Jin et al., 2020)

Papaya (मेवा)

Asian Pear (नासपाती)

Orange (सुन्तला)

Guava (अम्बा)

Healthy Beverages

Buttermilk (मोही—नअमिलिएको)

Green Tea (ग्रीन टी) to protect against liver injury (Winiarska-Mieczan et al., 2024).

Boiled water (उमालेको पानी) : Boiling is the most reliable way to ensure the water is sterile and prevent secondary infection.

Foods To Avoid (Bischoff et al., 2020) (Jin et al., 2020)

Fermented & Sour Foods (गुन्द्रुक/तामा)

Heavy Spices & Oily curry (Tarkari)

Ghee & Butter (घ्यू र नौनी)

Red Meat (राँगाको मासु र खसीको मासु)

Pickles (अचार)

Deep-fried Snacks: सेलरोटी, पुरी र पकौडा

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, its a common myth. Yellow color skin in Jaundice is due to high bilirubin not due to food color. Turmeric has curcumin which is rather better for liver.

The best diet for jaundice focuses on high-energy, low-fat foods to support liver repair. At the National Gastro Liver Center, we recommend Beaten rice (चिउरा) , Puffed rice (मुरै), and Lentil soup (दाल). Avoid ghee and oil to reduce metabolic strain on the liver.

Sugarcane juice provides glucose for energy but must be prepared hygienically. Dr. Shekhar Poudel warns that unhygienic juice can carry Hepatitis A or E, which can be fatal for an already strained liver.

A strained liver cannot produce enough bile to digest heavy fats. Consuming Ghee [घ्यू] or fried foods like Pakora [पकौडा] causes indigestion and slows the healing of liver cells

Yes. While you should avoid Red Meat [रातो मासु], lean proteins like Egg whites [अण्डाको सेतो भाग] and boiled chicken provide the amino acids necessary for liver cell regeneration

Yes. Green tea is rich in EGCG, an antioxidant that protects liver cells from inflammation and oxidative damage

Radish [मुला] is a traditional liver-cleansing food in Nepal. It is high in water and fiber, helping to flush out toxins and improve digestion during recovery.

Skimmed milk or non-sour Buttermilk [मोही] is safe. However, avoid full-fat buffalo milk and sour curd, as high fat and acidity can irritate a strained liver.

Patients should eat Papaya [मेवा], Oranges [सुन्तला], and Apples [स्याउ]. These are easy to digest and provide essential vitamins for the immune system.

A damaged liver cannot store energy (glycogen) well. A small snack like Puffed rice [मुरै] before bed prevents the body from breaking down muscle tissue for fuel overnight (Plauth et al., 2019).

Early symptoms include yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark-colored urine, pale stools, loss of appetite, and extreme fatigue.

At NGLC, we use a combination of Liver Function Tests (LFT), advanced Ultrasound to pinpoint the exact cause of jaundice.

Dark urine is a sign that excess bilirubin is leaking into your kidneys because your liver is unable to process it. This is a primary indicator of jaundice.

Yes. In obstructive jaundice, bile salts build up in the blood and deposit under the skin, leading to persistent and severe itching.

Jaundice itself is a symptom, but if it is caused by Hepatitis A or E, it can spread through contaminated water and food.

Total bilirubin should be below 1.2 mg/dL. Visible jaundice usually appears when levels rise above 2.5 mg/dL.

If you experience yellowing of the eyes, abdominal pain, or persistent vomiting, you should immediately consult a specialist at NGLC.

Yes. Chronic alcohol use causes Alcoholic Hepatitis and Cirrhosis. Early diagnosis at a specialized center like NGLC is key to stopping the damage.

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver (the disease), while Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin (the symptom) that shows the liver is failing.

Dr. Shekhar Poudel, Chief Physician at NGLC, is a highly experienced Gastroenterologist and Transplant Hepatologist specializing in complex liver diseases in Lalitpur and Kathmandu

Recovery varies by cause, but most viral jaundice cases improve within 2 to 4 weeks with proper medical guidance and a strict diet

You can book an appointment by calling our reception 9765199777 or 01-545100 or visiting our website, www.nglc.com.np, for online registration.

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