This diet has been used to good effect by a naturopath and by a homeopathic doctor in the treatment of a variety of conditions where malfunction of the liver is suspected. Its purpose is to avoid those foods which the liver finds it difficult to process. Time limit: one month. Then have 'forbidden' foods twice weekly.

Foods to avoid

1. Meat, fowl
2. Eggs
3. Refined bread and cereals
4. Sugar, foods containing sugar, syrup, treacle, honey
5. Cow's and goat's milk and products e.g. cheese
6. Tomatoes, citrus fruit, bananas, avocados
7. Nuts (except almonds)
8. Coffee, cocoa, alcohol, 2 cups of tea only a day
9. Chocolate
10. Fried food

Foods to be eaten in unlimited quantities

1. Fish (white preferred, limited tinned fish with oil washed off), pulses - beans, peas and lentils
2. Tofu - a soya milk product also known as bean curd, available from Chinese food shops
3. Wholemeal bread, unsweetened whole-grain cereals and wholegrains - brown rice, wholewheat pasta
4. Molasses, unsweetened jams (refrigerate after opening), Marmite
5. Soya milks
6. Vegetables, pineapples, grapes, melons, suitable fruits tinned in natural juice
7. Almonds, sunflower and sesame seeds
8. Grain coffees, herb teas, suitable unsweetened fruit juice, rooibosch and maté teas
9. Carob powder
10. Food can be sautéed using cold-pressed margarine or oil or vegetable butter

Restricted foods:

Berries (strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, etc.) and apricots, peaches, sultanas, raisins and dates can be eaten twice a week in unlimited quantities. Less than 1/8 teaspoon salt can be taken daily.

Suggested menu plan *

• Uncooked breakfast: muesli or breakfast cereal and soya milk or some suitable fruit juice. Wholemeal toast and suitable margarine or spread.
• Cooked breakfast: mushrooms on toast or white fish. Porridge and soya milk.
• Main meal: white fish/pulse dish/textured vegetable protein. TVP is available from health food shops - two meals weekly only. Wholemeal pasta/brown rice/potatoes. Fresh vegetables, some uncooked if possible i.e. as a side salad with the meal.
• Desserts: suitable fruits, with or without wholemeal pastry or crumble. Desserts based on soya milk. Brown rice puddings with soya milk.
• Smaller meals: wholemeal sandwiches with a suitable filling i.e. Marmite, pear/apple spread, tahini spread, lentil or bean spread. Salad. Suitable fresh or stewed fruit. Home-made soup and wholemeal bread.

* These menu plans were originally conceived for Western tastes, please use the general diet guidelines to prepare menu plans appropriate to your own taste.

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