Diet for Liver Disease

Overview

If you have liver disease, your diet should be tailored to the type and severity of your condition, such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, ascites, diabetes, kidney disease, or malnutrition. A healthy eating plan can help support nutrition, reduce complications, and protect remaining liver function, but people with liver disease should work with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making major diet changes.

• Focus on a balanced, nutrient-dense eating pattern that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, lean proteins such as fish or poultry, low-fat or nonfat dairy when tolerated, and healthy fats such as olive oil.
• If you have fatty liver disease, gradual weight loss may help reduce liver fat and inflammation if you are overweight. Avoid crash diets or fasting, which can worsen nutrition and may be unsafe.
• Do not severely restrict protein unless your healthcare professional gives you a specific plan. Many people with advanced liver disease need enough protein to prevent muscle loss; your care team can help determine the right amount for you.
• Limit foods and drinks high in added sugar, refined carbohydrates, saturated fat, and trans fat, such as sugary drinks, sweets, fried foods, processed meats, and many packaged snack foods.
• If you have cirrhosis, ascites, or swelling, you may need to limit sodium. Common high-sodium foods include canned soups, deli meats, fast food, salty snacks, frozen meals, and many restaurant foods.
• Avoid alcohol unless your healthcare professional has clearly said it is safe for your situation. For many liver diseases, especially cirrhosis and alcohol-related liver disease, avoiding alcohol completely is recommended.
• Do not automatically avoid nutritious foods such as sweet potatoes, avocados, beans, or lentils. These can be healthy choices for many people with liver disease, although portions may need to be individualized for conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, or fluid retention.
• Practice food safety. People with advanced liver disease should avoid raw or undercooked shellfish, fish, meat, eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products because infections can be more serious.
• Ask your healthcare professional before taking vitamins, minerals, herbal products, or dietary supplements. Some supplements can harm the liver or interact with medicines, and some people with liver disease need targeted supplementation.
• To make healthy eating easier, plan meals ahead, eat regular meals and snacks if recommended, choose water or unsweetened beverages most often, and include a variety of colorful plant foods throughout the day.

The best diet for liver disease depends on your diagnosis, medicines, lab results, nutrition status, and complications. Talk with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for a personalized plan, especially if you have cirrhosis, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, diabetes, kidney disease, unintended weight loss, or poor appetite.