Diet & Liver Health: Foods to Avoid & Embrace

The liver is an important part of the digestive process. Its job is to filter food to protect the body from toxins. The liver processes everything you eat. Once a doctor diagnoses liver disease, you must learn to change your eating habits. Some foods are toxic to the liver, and some are beneficial to your health.

Protein

• Avoid red meat, even if it is lean. Eat lean fish and the white meat of chicken and turkey. Your daily intake should be 20 to 30 percent protein.

Carbohydrates

• Eat complex carbohydrates such as whole grain pasta and whole grain breads. Your daily intake should be 60 to 70 percent complex carbohydrates.

Fruit and Vegetables

• Consumption of fruit and vegetables is not limited. You should eat a large variety of as many fruits and vegetables as you wish.

Fat

• Because fat is hard to process, limit fat intake. Consider 10 to 20 percent of polyunsaturated fats.

Limit

• Limit caffeine intake. Don't drink more than one to three cups of caffeine a day. Avoid large amounts of vitamins A, B3, and iron. Do not drink alcohol.