Great question! With PBC, what you eat can make a real difference in how you feel day to day. Here's a general list of foods to avoid or limit:
- Raw or undercooked meat, fish, and shellfish — bacteria in these can cause serious infections when your liver is under stress
- Unpasteurized milk and cheeses — same infection risk Show Full Answer
Great question! With PBC, what you eat can make a real difference in how you feel day to day. Here's a general list of foods to avoid or limit:
- Raw or undercooked meat, fish, and shellfish — bacteria in these can cause serious infections when your liver is under stress
- Unpasteurized milk and cheeses — same infection risk applies
- Processed meats (bacon, sausage, hot dogs, deli meats) — high in sodium and saturated fat, hard on digestion
- Fried and deep-fried foods — high fat content stresses the liver and can worsen digestive symptoms
- Full-fat dairy (cream, ice cream, full-fat cheese) — can trigger bloating and constipation
- Processed and packaged foods — often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats
- Alcohol — puts extra burden on the liver and can worsen damage If you're taking cholestyramine for itching, spicy foods and high-fat meals can also make side effects like nausea and heartburn worse.
A Mediterranean-style diet — rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats — is generally recommended for PBC. A registered dietitian can help tailor this to your specific needs and stage of PBC.
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