A 2019 review article notes that saturated fat intake increases the amount of fat around organs, including the liver. Beef, pork, and deli meats are all high in saturated fats. The AGA suggests that a person with fatty liver disease try to avoid these foods as much as possible.
Like fried foods, processed meats like salami, bacon and hot dogs also tend to be very high in saturated fat. And as we've already discussed, when more saturated fat than is recommended is eaten over time, it may lead to damaging your liver.
Saturated fats can be tough for the liver to digest. Any foods that are high in saturated fats, like hot dogs, sausages, bacon, and fried fast food items, take a toll on your liver function. Therefore, they should be avoided entirely or consumed as occasional treats.
Red meats are also high in saturated fats and should be avoided by people with fatty liver. Lean meats like chicken, fish, tofu, etc should be the preferred options for them.
Eat foods rich in fiber, which helps your liver work at an optimal level. Fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, brown rice and cereals can take care of your body's fiber needs. Drink plenty of water, which prevents dehydration and helps your liver to function better.
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.
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.
Processed cheese is bad for your liver as it comes under the category of processed foods and has high sodium content and saturated fats. Excess consumption can lead to fatty liver diseases, plus obesity.
Some studies suggest that beans preserve liver health by preventing fat from accumulating in the liver, reducing the risk of a fatty liver. Kidney beans and navy beans help the body get rid of waste quickly. Ditch baked beans that are loaded with extra salt and go for something sodium-free.
“Certainly bacon is not a health food, and I don't advise consuming it on a daily basis,” she says. “But if you eat a couple strips of bacon at brunch on the weekend, I don't think it's going to present a significant health risk—as long as your overall diet is sensible and healthy.”
Stay Away From Fatty Foods
French fries and burgers are a poor choice to keep your liver healthy. Eat too many foods that are high in saturated fat and it can make it harder for your liver to do its job. Over time it may lead to inflammation, which in turn could cause scarring of the liver that's known as cirrhosis.
If you think you might have a fatty liver, it's crucial to stay away from saturated fat, especially the kind found in red meat or butter. Since they are unsaturated, fats like olive oil are a much better choice.
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.
Fish. Ironically, eating fatty fish helps combat a fatty liver. Salmon, sardines, tuna, and trout are all high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower the levels of fat in the liver and reduce inflammation.
According to the USDA's FoodData Central, one large hard-boiled egg contains 147 milligrams of choline, making it the second-richest source of the nutrient behind beef liver.
Many patients in our clinic ask us if they can consume eggs, since it is a widespread belief that people with a liver disease cannot eat them and even that they are harmful in healthy people. This is not true.
Therefore, based on the results of this study, consumption of appropriate amounts of milk, especially low-fat types (at least one unit of milk more than 5–6 times a week) can play a positive role in preventing NAFLD.
Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is good for your liver since it's easier to digest and contains less sodium, more protein, fewer carbohydrates, and less calcium than regular yogurt. Low-sugar: Most of the popular yogurt varieties you see today contain added sugar, which can quickly put you at risk of a fatty liver.
Tomato is also good for liver health. Tomato has detoxification effect in the body. Probably it is due to the presence of chlorine and sulfur in tomatoes. According to some studies, 51 mg of chlorine and 11 mg of sulfur in 100 grams size of tomato have a vital role in detoxification process.
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.
If you have fatty liver disease, the damage may be reversed if you abstain from alcohol for a period of time (this could be months or years). After this point, it's usually safe to start drinking again if you stick to the NHS guidelines on alcohol units. However, it's important to check with your doctor first.
According to the American Liver Foundation, there are no medical treatments – yet – for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. So that means that eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are the best ways to both prevent liver damage from starting or reverse liver disease once it's in the early stages.
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.
Several studies have reported that excessive consumption of carbohydrates, especially refined carbohydrates, fats, saturated fats in particular, and protein from meat can cause NAFLD (14–18).