Malnutrition is prevalent in patients with advanced chronic liver disease and may be associated with a worse prognosis. Treatments often include many dietary restrictions (regarding fluids, sodium and proteins), which may further limit energy intake in addition to other factors limiting food intake (e.g. anorexia, encefalopathy). Guidelines for an optimal diet therapy in patients with different liver diseases, above all in presence of encefalopathy, are briefly reported.