What Should I Eat If I Have a Fatty Liver?

Fatty liver is an excess accumulation of fat in the liver cells. The condition usually means the liver consists of at least 10% fat. Because fatty liver can contribute to the development of more serious liver problems, proper treatment is important. Diet restrictions can help to avoid further fat accumulation in the liver and prevent future health concerns.

Reducing Saturated Fats

According to Tulane University Health Center, people with fatty liver disease should avoid foods that contain high levels of saturated fat. These include poultry with skin, egg yolks, butter, hydrogenated vegetable oil, fatty cuts of meat, avocados, whole-milk dairy products, and processed grain items like cookies and pastries. Foods with little saturated fat include lean cuts of meat, poultry without skin, reduced-fat dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, and diet margarines that are low in fat.

Avoiding Alcohol Consumption

Since fatty liver can be caused by the consumption of too much alcohol, avoiding alcohol is another way to prevent the condition from getting worse. According to Tulane University Health Center, fatty liver that is caused by alcoholism can actually be reversed if alcohol consumption is drastically reduced or eliminated altogether.

Reducing Cholesterol Consumption

Researchers from the Universitat de Barcelona have found that too much cholesterol can lead to the progression of fatty liver disease, which can cause permanent liver damage. When cholesterol accumulates in the liver, a powerful antioxidant is depleted and the liver cells can become damaged by inflammatory factors. Jose Fernandez-Checa, one of the researchers, recommends that people with fatty liver disease reduce the amount of cholesterol they consume, including fatty cuts of meat, butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, palm oil, bacon, sausage, pork, and poultry with the skin on. People with fatty liver disease should eat foods that are low in cholesterol, such as fruits, legumes, whole grains, and vegetables.

Avoiding Concentrated Sweets

Excess carbohydrates can be turned into fat, which can accumulate in the liver cells. Concentrated sweets are foods that contain sucrose, which can be converted to fat. Common examples of concentrated sweets include cakes, candies, and pies.These foods have little nutritional value. you can include small amounts of these foods in your diet so that you will not be tempted to binge on large quantities of your favorite treats. You can also reduce portion sizes so that you can enjoy the taste of the food without eating as many calories or grams of fat and cholesterol.