FATTY LIVER DISEASE
FATTY LIVER DISEASE
If you have been diagnosed with FATTY LIVER DISEASE changes in your diet can be a big part of the treatment. The top four causes of fatty liver disease are: OVERWEIGHT, DIABETES, HIGH CHOLESTEROL, ALCOHOL. But there are some people like me, that don’t fit into any of these categories but still have fatty liver disease. They have NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE.
When a person has fatty liver disease it damages the liver by preventing it from removing toxins and producing bile for the digestive system. If the liver is unable to do these tasks , a person can be at risk of developing other problems throughout their body.
The main treatment for fatty liver disease is making changes in your diet along with exercise. This is just the beginning of my research and I’m starting out with some foods to avoid and foods to eat to try to regain a healthy liver.
Good bye sugary sweet tea!!
Hello cold brewed tea with fresh berries
FOODS & DRINKS TO AVOID
ALCOHOL
SUGAR (avoid adding sugar to coffee, tea, no sugary drinks or treats. (I GUESS THIS MEANS NO MORE SWEET TEA FOR ME!!)
SODA (anything with high fructose corn syrup)
ARTIFICIAL TRANS FAT (this creates inflammation in blood vessels which can cause cholesterol to rise.) This can be found in processed foods.
HIGH GLYCEMIC CARBOHYDRATES – white rice, white bread, bagels, regular pasta, corn products
Delicious fresh fruits and vegetables reduces liver inflammation
Salmon is very healthy
Protein drinks to balance blood sugar and insulin levels
Coconut oil is a healthy fat
FOODS TO EAT
PRODUCE – brightly colored fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants and reduces liver inflammation. Contains fiber to help remove excess fat in your bloodstream. They are loaded with vitamins and minerals for optimal liver function. The most valuable ones for fatty liver are BLUEBERRIES, CHERRIES, RASPBERRIES, ORANGES, TOMATOES, SPINACH, BROCCOLI & BELL PEPPERS. (This works good for my because I love fresh fruit and vegetables!)
WHOLE GRAINS – Complex carbs supply energy, stabilizing blood sugar levels OATS, QUINOA, BARLEY, BROWN RICE, RYE
HEALTHY FATS – Unsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids reduce liver inflammation. This includes NUTS, SEEDS, COLD-WATER FISH such as SALMON or MACKEREL, COCONUT OIL (I LOVE salmon so this won’t be a problem to add to my diet!)
PROTEIN – Need this every meal to balance blood sugar & insulin levels. EGGS, PROTEIN SHAKES, NUTS, SEEDS, FISH, GRASS FED MEAT
So my challenge now is to change my diet and luckily there are many foods that I love and will be healthy for my liver. Salmon and tuna are high in omega-3 fatty acids and help remove liver fat levels and bring down the inflammation. No more sugary cereals for breakfast but oatmeal gives your body energy with the carbs from whole grain. Add some fresh fruit and I’ll have a delicious breakfast. I love nuts and walnuts are also high in omega-3 fatty acids, so they would be great for a snack. I think the hardest change will be my daily sweet tea which is loaded with sugar but I’m going to substitute that with either water or unsweetened tea and add fresh or frozen berries or grapes to it for a bit of added taste.
Since I was just recently diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, I have a lot of research to do. This is just the beginning of my searching for the best way to control and reduce this. If anyone has this same problem, I would love for you to share your ideas and suggestions!
This information is my own research, I did not receive it from a doctor and as with any diet change, it’s best to talk with your doctor to make sure there aren’t any other underlying problems with your blood tests that would prevent you from following a high protein diet.
The good news is, control of this condition can be done, because a family member of mine was able to achieve it (his was just starting). And, all of the above are healthy practices, so they will only benefit you. Good luck!
After doing just the small amount of research Alana, I realized that the diet is basically just healthy eating! So now both hubby and I will be starting our new healthy eating. My next blog I want to write about the benefits of exercising when someone has a fatty liver. I’m positive I can make this work! It will be another challenge and you know me, I don’t like to fail on challenges! Thanks for stopping by again!
I get that sugar is out, does that mean others real sweeteners (I have an issue with fake food) are too? I don’t have FLD, but have other issues (overweight) and am working toward a healthier me. Along the way I’m writing a book about eating healthier with real food. For me, the doctor said sugar (if I have a soda she wants me to get one made with real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup) and has suggested other sweeteners for my tea, honey, molasses, maple syrup (the real stuff.) Now, I’m not going to put maple syrup in my tea, just doesn’t sound good. But, honey is nice. The liver is super important, my grandson had to have a liver transplant when he was 2, long story, so I understand the importance of a healthy liver.
WOW, I’d love to read your book when you are finished Nita! Also, you just gave me another blog topic – Natural Sweeteners for Fatty Liver Disease! I’ve just started my research (as of last night) and I know the high fructose corn syrup is one of the worse sweeteners, not just for fatty liver, but for anyone wanting a healthy eating plan. I add fresh or frozen berries to my iced tea and it doesn’t even need sugar or other sweetener! So sorry to hear about your grandson, so young for a transplant! Watch for my other “chapters” on this topic! Thanks for stopping by and giving my a topic to write about!
Fatty liver can be a tricky condition to avoid.With obesity on the rise we are also seeing a lot of Non alcoholic fatty liver disease,
I’m amazed at all the young children that are heading for obesity Amrita. I try to cook healthy meals but I also love my sweets. After reading what foods are good for fatty liver, I’ve found that I can substitute my sweets for nuts and even fruits. Both will help with my “sweet tooth” but in a different way. Thanks for visiting!
I’ve had to deal with NA FLD. Mine is due to having regular IVIG infusions and my liver has to work harder to process the infusion. I have made dietary changes, however, my best course of action is figuring out the dosage and frequency of infusions to prevent my liver from having to work too hard.
That’s hard when another treatment is the cause of NAFLD Rosemary. My hubby has monthly infusions, needs blood work constantly to check his liver and kidneys but thankfully his hasn’t been affect…..yet. I’m hoping that now that I’ve been diagnosed, I will find that the new diet will not only help my liver but be a healthy way of eating for both of us. Thanks for visiting.
So glad you found out, and can change your diet o alleviate the distress and the symptoms.
So am I Roy!I have regular lab work and it showed high enzymes about a year ago so doc took me off statin drugs for my cholesterol. It didn’t go down so that’s when the ultrasound should this. Thanks for visiting!
I wish you all the best. I recently started the Keto Diet and it feels right for me … It’s about choosing the plan that supports your wellness needs. I love that you did your own research. We are great healers if we pay attention. Thanks.
I’ve had read about that and was going to start up Fran. I think, like most “diets”, there are actually more of “healthy eating” plans. Good luck on Keto and thanks for stopping by.
Great post! My mom has a fatty liver and she is trying to find ways to control/improve her situation. Sweets are one of her biggest weaknesses. Sweet tea would definitely be hard for me to give up. Living in Southern Middle TN, sweet tea is a staple in our fridge! There are a ton of dishes that we enjoy with quinoa.
I’m in South Carolina and sweet tea is a staple here too Shelly, the sweeter than better. I thought that would be my down fall but so far I haven’t missed it in the first week. I have found that substituting raspberries, blackberries, or oranges gives it a different kind of sweetness. I also brewed wild orange tea and is that delicious!