MENUS FOR CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
Cirrhosis is a word derived from the Greek meaning yellow. It was originally intended to convey the idea of over-growth or enlargement of this much-abused organ, but inasmuch as atrophic conditions often show yellow or tawny, there are now two kinds of cirrhosis, namely, atrophic cirrhosis, meaning a shrinkage, and hypertrophic cirrhosis, meaning enlargement of the liver.
Atrophic cirrhosis is caused by alcoholism, often augmented by milder stimulants such as tea and coffee.
Hypertrophic cirrhosis is caused by overeating, especially of meat, sweets, and starchy foods.
The causes of the former should be removed by ceasing the use of tea, coffee, and all alcoholic stimulants, and of the latter by omitting sweets, and limiting the diet in quantity to, or in severe cases below, the actual needs of the body.
The following menus are laid out for the treatment of severe cases. They are designed both as a counteractive and as a remedial measure.
In mild cases, or as the patient recovers, the diet may be increased in quantity, but it should be confined very rigidly to the articles named in the list below, and in the menus which follow.
Foods to be used in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver:
| Proteids | Vegetables | Fruits |
|---|---|---|
| Egg whites | Asparagus | Apples |
| Fish | Beets | Apricots |
| Fowl—white meat | Beans | Cantaloup |
| Nuts | Brussels sprouts | Cherries |
| Sour milk | Cauliflower | Grapes |
| Cabbage | Melons | |
| Carbohydrates | Carrots | Oranges |
| Bananas | Celery | Peaches |
| Corn bread | Onions | Pears |
| Flaked rye | Potatoes | Plums |
| Wheat bran | Spinach | Prunes |
| Whole wheat | Squash | Raisins |
| Turnip-greens | Tomatoes | |
| Fats | Turnips | |
| Butter | ||
| Nut butter | ||
| Nuts |
SPRING MENU
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
BREAKFAST
- Soaked apricots; neither sugar nor cream
- Very ripe bananas
- Nuts
Note: If bananas are not "dead ripe" they should be baked.
LUNCHEON
- Peas in the pod
- Bran meal gems
- Buttermilk
DINNER
- Peas or asparagus
- Lettuce, spinach, or turnip-greens
- Carrots or turnips
- A potato
SUMMER MENU
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
BREAKFAST
- Peaches, cherries, apricots, or cantaloup
- Three or four egg whites whipped with a spoonful of cream
- Flaked rye, well cooked
LUNCHEON
- Beans, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower
- Lettuce and tomato
- A potato
- A glass of buttermilk
DINNER
- Vegetable soup—very little fat
- Any fresh vegetable in above list
- Fish or chicken—very little
- A potato or tender corn
FALL MENU
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
BREAKFAST
- Grapes, peaches, or plums
- Two baked bananas
- Whole wheat
LUNCHEON
- Boiled onions
- Squash
- Lima beans or bran gems
DINNER
- Celery or spinach
- Any fresh vegetable in above list
- A potato or corn bread
- Two tablespoonfuls of wheat bran
WINTER MENU
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
BREAKFAST
- A baked banana or a baked apple
- A baked potato—eat skins and all
LUNCHEON
- Celery soup
- Corn bread
- Winter squash
DINNER
- Parsnips or turnips
- A potato or baked beans
- Celery, with nuts
- Fish or buttermilk
If the breakfast is late, and the labor is light, the noon meal should be omitted.
SPRING MENU
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
BREAKFAST
- Baked apples or very ripe berries without sugar
- A very ripe banana with cream
- Flaked wheat, thoroughly cooked with one-half bran
LUNCHEON
- Peas in the pod—en casserole
- A baked potato
DINNER
- Peas, asparagus, or onions
- A baked potato
- Nuts with cream
- Cheese with water-cracker
From one to three glasses of water should be drunk at each of these meals. Mastication should be very thorough.
For cooking "en casserole," see [p. 671.]
SUMMER MENU
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
BREAKFAST
- Cantaloup, peaches, plums, or berries
- Two tablespoonfuls of plain boiled wheat
- A pint of rich milk; buttermilk preferred
LUNCHEON
- Young onions, lettuce, romaine, or any fresh salad with either nuts or oil
- Carrots, squash, or tender corn
- A baked potato—sweet or white
DINNER
- Vegetable soup
- A Spanish onion, en casserole
- Squash, carrots, parsnips, okra, cauliflower—any two of these
- A baked potato
- Tender corn or lima beans
- Cheese, with nuts and raisins
FALL MENU
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
BREAKFAST
- Cantaloup, peaches, or grapes
- One egg, prepared choice
- Bran meal gems or a potato
- A glass of milk
LUNCHEON
- Squash
- Okra, or an onion, en casserole
- A corn muffin or a baked potato
- Celery, or lettuce, with nuts
DINNER
- Vegetable or cream soup
- Celery, or slaw, with nuts—no vinegar
- Winter squash, stewed pumpkin, or a baked sweet potato
- Bran meal gems
- A morsel of cheese, with either raisins or nuts
WINTER MENU
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER
BREAKFAST
- A baked apple or soaked prunes
- A pint of milk
- Plain boiled wheat or corn hominy. (If hominy is chosen, a heaping tablespoonful of wheat bran should be taken)
LUNCHEON
- Two or three glasses of buttermilk
- Two tablespoonfuls of wheat bran
DINNER
- Cream of tomato soup
- Turnips, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower—any two of these
- A potato or a bran meal gem
- (A small portion of tender fish may be added if much desired)
If there is a tendency toward constipation, two or three tablespoonfuls of wheat bran should be taken, and an abundance of water drunk both at meals and between meals.