What foods should be avoided if you have fatty liver disease?

• Fatty liver disease is the accumulation of fat in liver cells, mostly triglycerides. It occurs when the body has excess sugar, forcing the liver to convert it into fat. It often doesn't show any symptoms. The main causes are divided into two categories those unrelated to alcohol and those related to alcohol.
• Foods to avoid for people with fatty liver disease include fried foods, foods high in saturated fat, high-fat foods, refined carbohydrates, processed foods, alcoholic beverages, undercooked seafood, certain herbs and medications, energy drinks, and caffeinated drinks.
• Foods that help reduce fatty liver disease include brown rice, whole wheat bread, broccoli, kale, cabbage, water spinach, radishes, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, morning glory, avocado, apples, guava, watermelon, oranges, chicken breast, salmon, mackerel, catfish, sardines, almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, soy milk, low-fat soy milk, olive oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, and rice bran oil.

Fatty liver disease is a health problem that can affect people of all ages. It results from an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, increasing the risk of liver disease, cirrhosis, and ultimately liver cancer. Basic self-care includes avoiding foods such as soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, snacks, MSG, instant noodles, certain supplements, and foods high in fat, carbohydrates, and sugar. Besides foods to avoid, what foods are acceptable for those with fatty liver disease? What should people with elevated liver enzyme levels eat? This article provides the answers.

Understanding Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease is the accumulation of fat in liver cells, mostly triglycerides. It occurs when the body has excess sugar, forcing the liver to convert it into fat. Normally, sugar is controlled by the hormone insulin. However, if insulin resistance occurs due to genetics or lifestyle factors such as consuming excessive amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and especially high-fructose corn syrup, the cells do not respond to insulin properly. This forces the pancreas to produce more insulin, leading to continuous fat accumulation in the liver.

Fatty liver disease can be divided into two main types non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is often caused by insulin resistance, obesity, high cholesterol, or diabetes, and alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), which is caused by excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption leading to liver cell damage. Most cases are asymptomatic, but some symptoms may include fatigue or a feeling of fullness and tenderness in the right rib cage area.

What foods should you avoid if you have fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver disease is a silent threat that many people shouldn't overlook, because the foods that cause fat accumulation in the liver may be foods you enjoy. Here's a list of foods to avoid if you have fatty liver disease

Fried foods and those high in saturated fat

• Deep-fried and battered foods such as fried chicken, fried pork, fried fish, tempura, nuggets, chicken pops, and fried dough sticks, as well as foods that use a lot of oil and are repeatedly fried.
• Fast food such as french fries, burgers, and pizza.
• Stir-fried dishes with excessive oil, such as Pad See Ew, Rad Na, and Pad Thai with oil floating on top.
• Fatty meats and crispy fried foods such as pork belly, fatty beef, crispy pork, pork rinds, fried chicken skin, and bacon.
• Foods with rich coconut milk, such as green curry, massaman curry, and various curries that contain fatty meats.
• Bakery products high in trans fats and butter, such as pies, croissants, donuts, cream cakes, and pastries made with margarine.
• Dairy products and rich desserts such as ice cream, condensed milk, and whipped cream are high in saturated fat and sugar.

Foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates

• Sweetened beverages such as soda, milk tea, iced coffee with condensed milk, as well as boxed fruit juices or smoothies with added sugar.
• Sweet treats and baked goods such as Thong Yip, Thong Yod, Foy Thong, cakes, donuts, cookies, and ice cream, which are rich in sugar and carbohydrates.
• Sweet snacks such as chocolate, wafers, biscuits, sugar-coated cereals, and sweetened granola bars.
• Refined carbohydrates and flour products such as white rice, white bread, pies, croissants, and pizza dough, which the body converts into sugar quickly.
• Noodles and pasta all types of noodles, rice vermicelli, macaroni, and instant noodles, especially when heavily seasoned or containing oil.
• Flavored dairy products such as drinking yogurt or fruit-flavored yogurt with high added sugar.
• Sauces and condiments. Sauces with a high sugar content, such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, sweet chili sauce, and sweet seafood dipping sauce.

Processed foods.

• Processed and seasoned meats, such as sausages, ham, bacon, Chinese sausage, pork sausage, meatballs, and fermented pork, including pre-marinated pork or chicken with high sodium content.
• Semi-prepared and frozen foods, such as instant noodles, instant porridge, powdered soups, as well as ready-to-eat frozen meals, nuggets, and frozen pizza.
• Packaged snacks, such as potato chips, crackers, biscuits, and various types of rice crackers, which often contain high amounts of fat and sodium.
• Processed fruits, such as pickled fruits, candied fruits, preserved fruits, and dried fruits with added sugar for preservation.
• Canned foods, such as meat or fish in various sauces, canned fruits in syrup, and canned sweet corn.
• Ready-made seasonings, such as monosodium glutamate, bouillon cubes or powder, and various sauces that contain high amounts of sodium and sugar.

Alcoholic beverages.

• All types of beer, whether draft, bottled, or canned.
• Spirits and distilled liquors such as spirits (white and colored), whiskey, brandy, rum, and high-proof spirits.
• Wine and wine coolers, including red wine, white wine, sparkling wine, and ready-to-drink wine coolers.
• Alcoholic cocktails such as margaritas, mojitos, highballs, and alcoholic mocktails.
• Sweetened alcoholic drinks such as blended cocktails, liqueurs mixed with syrup or carbonated drinks, and whiskey soda.
• Homemade spirits and fermented products such as herbal liqueurs, fermented liquors, and homemade alcoholic beverages.
• Fruit wines and sweet liqueurs such as plum liqueur, lychee liqueur, orange liqueur, and various fruit-flavored liqueurs.

Cooked and raw seafood.

• Sashimi and sushi such as salmon sashimi, tuna sashimi, or any kind of raw white fish.
• Fresh and pickled seafood such as fresh oysters, marinated shrimp, pickled crab, and various types of pickled seafood.
• Foods that are partially cooked, such as raw shrimp or fish salads that have only been lightly blanched but are still incompletely cooked inside.
• Uncooked fermented fish and fish, including salads that haven't been heated sufficiently.
• Undercooked grilled seafood, such as shellfish, shrimp, or squid that are still translucent or wet inside.
• Poorly preserved seafood, especially buffet seafood that has been left out for a long time or stored at an inappropriate temperature.

Certain herbs/medicines.

• Consuming large amounts of certain Thai herbs continuously, such as Cassia siamea (both in tablet and tea form) or Tinospora cordifolia, or Borapet, over extended periods can be harmful.
• High-dose extracts and vitamins, such as concentrated green tea extract, garlic extract, spirulina, high doses of vitamin A, and iron supplements.
• Products without clearly stated ingredients, such as herbal pills or herbal blends not approved by the FDA, which are at risk of being contaminated with liver-damaging toxins.
• Supplements taken without consulting a doctor; continuous high-dose consumption of vitamins or supplements without supporting blood test results.
• Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as paracetamol overdose or prolonged use, aspirin, and some NSAIDs like diclofenac.
• Specialized drugs that affect the liver, such as anticonvulsants, psychiatric drugs like valproate, phenytoin, and methotrexate, which must be taken under strict medical supervision.
• Antibiotics and drugs for chronic diseases, such as tuberculosis drugs (Isoniazid, Rifampin) and some antifungal drugs.

Energy drinks or drinks containing caffeine.

• All types of energy drinks.
• Energy drinks mixed with alcohol, such as vodka mixed with energy drinks or various mixed liquors.
• Carbonated drinks with high caffeine and sugar content, such as cola and various dark-colored soft drinks.
• Ready-to-drink instant tea and coffee.
• Flavored iced tea and iced coffee, such as iced milk tea, iced coffee with condensed milk, creamer, or concentrated syrup.
• Bubble tea.

What foods help reduce fatty liver disease?

• Complex carbohydrates Choose brown rice and whole wheat bread, which are rich in fiber, phosphorus, and B vitamins.
• High-fiber vegetables Focus on broccoli, kale, cabbage, spinach, radishes, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, and water spinach.
• Low-sugar fruits Choose avocados, apples, guavas, watermelons, and oranges to control sugar intake.
• High-protein, low-fat meats Eat chicken breast or fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, catfish, and sardines.
• Nuts and grains Eat almonds, cashews, and macadamia nuts as a clean energy source.
• Healthy dairy products Choose soy milk, low-fat milk, or skim milk.
• Good fats Use olive oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, or rice bran oil for cooking.

Sample meal plan for people with fatty liver disease

It is recommended to choose foods high in fiber, low in protein, and good omega-3 fats. Avoid sugar and fatty foods. Change your cooking methods to boiling, steaming, or stir-frying with minimal oil, such as brown rice with chicken breast and broccoli, or steamed fish with herbs, to help reduce the burden on and nourish the liver.

Sample 1-Day Meal Plan to Reduce Fatty Liver

• Breakfast Focus on easily digestible and clean energy options such as oatmeal porridge with fish, brown rice congee with chicken breast, or boiled eggs with steamed vegetables.
• Lunch Filling menus emphasizing protein and vegetables, such as riceberry rice with mackerel chili paste and blanched vegetables, steamed sea bass with lime, or rice with chicken breast and mixed vegetables.
• Dinner Light menus without excess fat, such as clear tom yum soup, mixed mushroom larb (oil-free recipe), or green leafy salad with olive oil and grilled salmon.
• Snacks Choose options to control blood sugar levels and provide healthy fats, such as berries, guava, green apples, or unsalted roasted almonds.

Can people with fatty liver disease take supplements? What precautions should they take?

People with fatty liver disease can take supplements, but they should not be used as the primary treatment. Special caution is needed because some products may have adverse effects, potentially worsening liver strain or inflammation. Lifestyle changes are key, including dietary control, weight loss, and regular exercise. Always consult a doctor before starting any supplement to ensure its safety for your liver.

Additional advice for people with fatty liver disease:

1. Choose a healthy diet, focusing on fiber from leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids, while reducing refined carbohydrates, sugar, and fried foods.
2. Avoid liver-damaging foods: Limit trans fats, processed foods, and very sweet fruits to reduce new fat accumulation.
3. Exercise regularly, focusing on cardio such as brisk walking or swimming for 30-45 minutes (3-5 days a week), combined with weight training to boost metabolism.
4. Avoid alcohol completely to prevent liver inflammation and fibrosis leading to cirrhosis.
5. Be cautious with medications and supplements. Avoid substandard herbal supplements and consult a doctor before taking any to prevent excessive liver strain.
6. Attend follow-up appointments. Regularly check liver function and undergo ultrasound examinations to assess fat levels and inflammation.
7. Take care of your overall health: get enough rest, reduce stress, and control underlying conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Get your liver checked at Vibhavadi Hospital.

Fatty liver disease is a silent threat that often shows no symptoms initially. Neglecting it can lead to more serious conditions. If you need a liver function test or a health checkup, you can visit the General Medicine and Chronic Diseases Center at Vibhavadi Hospital. They offer consultations, self-care guidelines, and treatment using advanced technology to improve your liver health.

Summary

Fatty liver disease is a silent threat caused by the accumulation of excess fat in the liver, increasing the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Its main causes are dietary habits and insulin resistance. Self-care should focus on avoiding fried foods, refined carbohydrates, high-sugar foods, processed foods, and alcohol. Instead, consume complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and high-fiber fruits and vegetables. Combine this with exercise and sufficient rest to restore metabolism.

However, medication or supplements should be used under the supervision of a doctor to prevent further inflammation and ensure sustainable treatment outcomes. Close monitoring of symptoms is crucial. You can get checked at Vibhavadi Hospital. Here, you'll receive diagnosis from expert physicians and targeted treatment.