What Foods Are Good for The Liver?

With hepatitis C and liver disease, eating a healthy diet is one way to help your liver. Learning what foods are good for your liver is a great start. In general, eating a balanced diet from all food groups is best: grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, beans, dairy, and healthy fats.

Selecting high-quality foods

Be mindful of how food is prepared. Avoid fried foods and processed foods. It's best to avoid foods high sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats, like hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated “trans fats”.

Foods free of pesticide residue are best, such as organic. Compared to canned foods, fresh and frozen are preferred (due to the quality of nutrients in them and less sodium).

Important considerations: your diet and hepatitis C

Eating foods with fiber helps your liver function best. Fiber-rich foods are included with fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, rice, and cereals. High fiber foods help the body in many ways; Fiber is known as "nature’s broom". Fiber helps the body stay regular, helping avoid constipation, and sweeping toxins out of the body. It also helps lower cholesterol.

Drinking a lot of pure water daily helps keep your body hydrated and helps your liver function best. To add variety and flavor, you can infuse water with fresh citrus or cucumber. Drinking at least 64 ounces daily is recommended.

If you have cirrhosis, diabetes, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), it is best to consult with your physician and a registered dietitian who specializes in liver disease. They can design a diet and advise you according to your specific condition.

Being in a healthy weight is best for most hepatitis C and liver disease patients. Be sure to consult with your physician before starting any diet program.

Shop for liver-friendly foods

What foods are good for your liver? Some of them include...

Beverages:

• Pure water or water infused with citrus or cucumber
• Coffee
• Green Tea

Fruits:

• Grapefruit
• Grapes (especially dark or red grapes)
• Citrus fruits (lemon, lime, oranges)
• Berries: Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries
• Watermelon
• Papaya
• Banana
• Figs
• Avocado (yep, it’s considered a fruit)

Vegetables:

• Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage
• Greens such as spinach, kale, collards
• Carrots
• Beets and beet juice
• Prickly pear
• Garlic

Healthy fats:

• Olive oil
• Nuts, especially almonds and walnuts

Grains:

• Oatmeal
• Barley
• Brown rice
• Quinoa

Proteins*:

• Eggs
• Fatty Fish (especially salmon and herring)
• Poultry

*Beef should be eaten sparingly, as it takes longer to digest and is harder to break down in the digestive system.

Spice:

Turmeric (helps with inflammation)

A diet of healthy food helps to strengthen the immune system and promotes better function; your diet is a proactive way to help your body fight hepatitis C and liver disease.