For patients with cirrhosis and ascites, what specific dietary role do chives serve regarding sodium intake?
Answer
They are an excellent, salt-free option for flavoring bland foods.
Managing advanced liver disease like cirrhosis often necessitates severe restriction of salt intake, sometimes aiming for a limit as low as five grams daily, particularly when ascites (abdominal fluid buildup) is present. Since much dietary sodium comes from processed items, patients require alternative flavor sources for simple, prescribed foods like steamed vegetables or plain fish. Chives are explicitly listed alongside other seasonings such as pepper, vinegar, parsley, and basil as highly valuable, salt-free additions that can enhance the taste of these bland therapeutic meals without contributing unwanted sodium.
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