Among Liver Transplantation (LT) recipients malnutrition is ubiquitous due to various metabolic aberrations and poor nutrient intake. It is imperative to recognize the diverse aspects which can alter patients’ food and nutrient intake.

The study aimed to provide the much-needed data on various conducive and deterrent factors for calorie and protein intake of the pre-LT patients.

In the present exploratory study 54 adult pre-LT patients were purposively selected. Information regarding patient's personal, medical history, nutrient, and dietary intake through 24- Hour Dietary recall and other factors like appetite (SNAQ), number of meals, duration of present illness, excessive fatigue, ascites, sound sleep, functional status, advice to increase intake, supplement recommended were gathered by patients’ interviews and OPD visits.

The data showed significantly lower-calorie, protein, and calcium intake among pre-LT recipients as per the recommendations (p < 0.001**). Patients were consuming more than 40% of the calories and 20% of proteins from cereals. The Stepwise forward regression analysis showed the relationship between calorie and protein intake (dependent variable) with other independent variables. Calorie intake increased by 73.4 units (p < 0.01**) with a unit increase in appetite score (SNAQ). Protein intake increased by 9.3 units with a unit increase in the number of meals consumed (p = 0.001**). Calorie and protein intake decreased by 252.8 units and 15.6 units respectively with a unit increase in the number of days dietary advice for improving the food intake was not given (p < 0.01). Also, a unit increase in the number of days patients had sound sleep, increased calorie and protein intake by 167.4 units and 10.3 units respectively (p < 0.05).

Higher appetite, sound sleep, and higher numbers of meals consumed were conducive factors for calorie and protein intake among patients in the pre-transplant phase while no dietary advice for improving food intake was shown to be a deterrent factor. While planning diet, considerations and appropriate alterations of these factors can positively regulate the nutrient intake and nutritional status of the pre-LT patients.