BackgroundInadequate food intake contributes to malnutrition in patients with cirrhosis on the waiting list for liver transplantation (LTx). ObjectiveTo evaluate food intake during 12 weeks of nutritional follow-up and assess factors independently associated with the difference between caloric and protein intake in LTx patients. MethodsA secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial that evaluated the effects of HMB supplementation in patients on a liver transplant waiting list. Dietary guidelines for patients with cirrhosis were used to prescribe the nutritional plan (35kcal/kg; 1.5g/kg dry weight for protein) and to evaluate the nutritional goals (30kcal/kg; 1.2g/kg dry weight for protein). Food intake was assessed in six moments: Baseline, week 0(W0), week 2(W2), week 4(W4), week 8(W8), and week 12(W12). ResultsForty-seven patients (55.0±10.6y;72.3% male) were evaluated. Only 25.5% (n=12) of patients achieve nutritional goals at the end of the study. The mean energy intake in baseline was 1782±784kcal (27.6±13.2kcal/kg) without difference between times. The protein intake increased between week W0 [63.4±29.8g; 0.8(0.2-2.2g/kg)] and W8 [72.0±28.0g; 1.0(0.4–2.6g/kg); p=0.03; p=0.03, respectively]. The consumption of cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and niacin increased (p<0.05), as well as the consumption of the leguminous; roots and tubers; dairy; and meat, poultry, and fish groups through the time (p<0.05). The presence of ascites, patients nourished, frailty index classification, short physical performance battery score, systemic symptoms, and emotional function were independently associated with the caloric intake difference W12-Baseline (p<0.05). Diabetes mellitus, patients with moderately malnourishment, poor performance, fatigue, systemic symptoms, and emotional function were independently associated with the difference in protein intake between W12-Baseline (p<0.05). ConclusionPatients on the liver transplant waiting list showed slight food intake improvement during the follow-up, but few met nutritional guidelines. Various clinical and nutritional factors independently affected energy and protein intake from W12 to baseline.