If you eat too many carbohydrates and proteins, they can be converted to triglycerides. These are stored in the fat cells, and can be deposited in the liver. Insulin resistance can lead to increased triglycerides and increased uptake of fatty acids in the liver, causing further accumulation of liver triglycerides.
Carbohydrates should comprise 40–50% of total calories. Fat should comprise ≤ 30% of total calories (saturated fatty acids > 7% and <10% of total calories) Protein should comprise about 20% of total calories.
French fries, wafers, burgers, and pizzas do no good to your liver. These food items are high in saturated fat or trans-fat content and are difficult to digest. In other words, your liver needs to work hard to process these food items.
It emphasizes eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil, and flavorful herbs and spices; fish and seafood at least a couple of times a week; and poultry, eggs, cheese and yogurt in moderation, while saving sweets and red meat for special occasions.
Fatty Liver Foods to Avoid
Steer clear of saturated fats, which lead to more fatty deposits in your liver. This includes: Poultry, except for lean white meat. Full-fat cheese.
Many don't know that eggs are a food that's good for fatty liver. This is because eggs are rich in choline, which plays a role in transporting and lowering LDL or “bad” cholesterol.
A strict 900kcals diet that is low in dietary carbohydrate and fat will encourage your body to use up glycogen (carbohydrate that is stored in the liver) and fat stores, thus helping to shrink the size of the liver. A very low calorie diet (VLCD) is designed to completely replace usual food intake.
Look for “whole grain,” “whole wheat,” “sprouted grain,” and “high fiber” on package labels. Choose foods with at least three grams of dietary fiber and fewer than eight grams of sugar per serving.
4. Refined grains: Refined grains contain carbs that can contribute to weight gain and worsen fatty liver. Grains that are highly processed are prepared by removing their fibre. Pastas, white bread, burger buns etc are all made with processed grains and must be avoided if you have fatty liver.
In this observational study conducted in China, consumption of sweet potatoes was associated with a lower risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in men, but not in women. This Study Summary was published on May 31 2022.
The liver converts sugars into fat for storage and excess sugar can lead to fatty liver disease. Excess sugar consumption is associated with increased body weight which should be avoided for good liver health. This includes potatoes, white rice and white bread, which are digested rapidly by the body.
Due to its high content of antioxidants and vitamins, peanut butter can improve antioxidant activity in the liver and promote its health. Peanut butter is a balanced source of protein that serves especially important to liver patients, as they have many dietary restrictions.
Regular consumption of yogurt is beneficial for your liver for the following reasons: It helps reduce weight, body mass index, and serum levels of fasting insulin. These are some of the main risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It reduces cholesterol and sugar levels in your body.
Avocado oil alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by improving mitochondrial function, oxidative stress and inflammation in rats fed a high fat–High fructose diet.
Furthermore, tomato prevents alcoholic diet-promoted pre-neoplastic liver lesion development and decreases the presence of alcoholic diet-induced hepatic injury.
Chicken is a good source of lean protein and can be a healthy addition to your diet if you have fatty liver. Chicken, particularly without the skin, is an excellent way to get the protein you need without worrying about saturated fats, which can be hard on the liver.
Beans are a great source of protein and fiber. Some studies suggest that beans preserve liver health by preventing fat from accumulating in the liver, reducing the risk of a fatty liver.
Limit animal-based proteins: Dairy, cheese, butter, eggs, beef and pork all contain high amounts of saturated fat, which has been linked to high cholesterol, heart disease and fatty liver disease. Red meat, particularly cooked at high temperatures (such as when grilled), is associated with a fatty liver.
Cocoa powder, most commonly used to make chocolate, is full of fiber, iron and phytochemicals linked to healthful benefits. In a novel study, Lambert and his team found that dietary supplementation of cocoa powder had a positive effect on fatty liver disease.
Liver shrinkage diet (LRD) is a diet based on low energy (calories), in particular low in carbohydrate and fat. By following a liver shrinkage diet, your body will be forced to use up the stored carbohydrate (glycogen) from the liver.
The most effective treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is weight loss, which has been shown to decrease the amount of fat in the liver and the inflammation caused by the fat.