NASH Patients: Add These Foods to Your Diet

Nov 3, 2016 | Mayo Clinic Transplant Dietitian | @mayoclinictransplantdietitian | Comments (48)

The second most common reason for liver transplant is a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, also known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).  NASH takes place when fat accumulates in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. At its most severe, NASH can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure.

2016-11-04-almond crusted chicken

If you have NASH, losing weight and becoming more active are currently the primary treatments for a fatty liver. If your condition has progressed to liver failure and you need a transplant, your physician may recommend weight loss prior to receiving a transplant so you’re healthy enough for surgery.

What you can do

With weight loss, making healthy, long-term changes is key to success. We recommend a modified Mediterranean diet because studies have shown it can help reduce the amount of fat stored in the liver for people with NASH. Even modest reductions in weight (5-10% of total body weight) can help decrease the amount of fat deposited in the liver. Set reasonable goals for yourself as you begin your weight loss journey; a weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week is ideal.

The Mediterranean diet focuses on delicious fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and heart-healthy protein each day. Set yourself up for success by adding these foods to your diet each day:

  • Vegetables: Eat at least three servings of vegetables daily. Try eating vegetables that are in season for extra flavor and nourishment. Sneak vegetables into foods you love, like with this recipe for garlic cauliflower potato mash.
  • Fruit: Eat at least two servings of fruit each day. Serve it on a skewer with a low fat yogurt-based dip for a delicious snack.
  • Protein: Choose a good source of protein, like fish, shellfish, legumes or beans, white meat, lean red meat or eggs, with every meal. Try this almond crusted chicken for a filling and flavorful entrée.
  • Grains: Choose whole grains such as 100% whole-grain or whole wheat bread, 100% whole grain cereals, brown or wild rice. Experiment with grains such as quinoa, barley, bulgar, farro and whole-grain pastas. Give these protein-packed quinoa cakes as an appetizer or side dish.
  • Dairy and Dairy Alternatives: Choose up to 3 servings of dairy or dairy alternatives daily. Choose low fat or fat free milk, yogurt and cheese. Pass on sugar-sweetened dairy products such as yogurt or flavored milks or sweetened milk alternatives. This strawberry banana milkshake uses soy milk and fresh fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth.
  • Healthy fats: Eat healthy fats daily, like walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds. Be sure to count your calories for added fats and nuts into your daily allotment. Use “extra-virgin” or virgin olive oil in place of other fats such as vegetable oil or butter in low temperature cooking.  Here’s a savory and superfood-packed recipe using walnuts to add healthy fat and a tasty crunch.

If you have NASH, how have you changed your diet? What are your go-to healthy recipes?

HELPFUL LINKS

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the Transplant blog.

I have just been diagnosed with NASH by my oncologist. I have recently gone into remission from non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Now I have this. To see a hepatic specialist in the next couple weeks. I was wanting to do the Keto diet. Has anyone done that with NASH?? Thx

REPLY
@tamaravilla

I have just been diagnosed with NASH by my oncologist. I have recently gone into remission from non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Now I have this. To see a hepatic specialist in the next couple weeks. I was wanting to do the Keto diet. Has anyone done that with NASH?? Thx

Jump to this post

@tamaravilla, Hi and Welcome to Connect. I am happy to read that your Hodgkin's lymphoma is in remission.

I am a liver/kidney recipient, (not for NASH). In the above article, I read that "With weight loss, making healthy, long-term changes is key to success. We recommend a modified Mediterranean diet because studies have shown it can help reduce the amount of fat stored in the liver for people with NASH...The Mediterranean diet focuses on delicious fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and heart-healthy protein each day."
My own experience, and what I have read, tells me that the best diet is one that is simple and easy to maintain so that you can stick with it long term. My transplant team stresses that it should include all food groups.

I do not know much about the Keto diet, so I strongly suggest that you talk about this with the hepatologist about the best method of weight loss for you. Has your doctor suggested that you lose weight?

REPLY

Thank you so much for the information. I have not seen the Dr yet but will look into the Mediterranean diet. Someone today told me they were doing keto only acouple months and their liver enzymes went up!

REPLY

The keto diet is not so good..for me at least. MAYO DOCS recommend the Medditeran Diet. Ai cut all salt and sugar...lost weight a d feel better. Im not very strict about it..its just simple logic.

REPLY
@jeanne5009

The keto diet is not so good..for me at least. MAYO DOCS recommend the Medditeran Diet. Ai cut all salt and sugar...lost weight a d feel better. Im not very strict about it..its just simple logic.

Jump to this post

@jeanne5009 I am definitely going to have to try this Mediterranean diet out.
JK

REPLY
@andys

Hi JK. I have cirrhosis and understand it is not reversible. The study is in Canada, the USA and Britain I believe. I am in Central Ontario, Canada. I'll have more information on Nov. 29 when I start the medication. I will keep you apprised of everything as it becomes known to me. All the best.

Jump to this post

Hello Andrea, hope you are feeling good. How the study is going?

REPLY

Hi @antecoco, welcome to Connect. Like you, I would also like to hear from @andys to know what it has been like to be on the study she mentioned.

Antecoco, that is a lovely picture you uploaded. Do you have NASH yourself or are you caring for someone who has NASH?

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Hi @antecoco, welcome to Connect. Like you, I would also like to hear from @andys to know what it has been like to be on the study she mentioned.

Antecoco, that is a lovely picture you uploaded. Do you have NASH yourself or are you caring for someone who has NASH?

Jump to this post

I have Nash myself, just got my diagnostic 2 months ago

REPLY
@antecoco

Hello Andrea, hope you are feeling good. How the study is going?

Jump to this post

@antecoco I had NASH that led to cirrhosis and a liver transplant om September 2016. By the time I was diagnosed the cirrhosis was advanced. At this point can your NASH be reversed as fatty liver can?

As you progress through this please ask away, anything you would like to hear from those of us who have been there.
I hope you are doing well, stay in touch with your progress.

I agree with @colleenyoung. That is a lovely picture.
JK

REPLY
@antecoco

I have Nash myself, just got my diagnostic 2 months ago

Jump to this post

@antecoco, I invite you to take part in the NASH related discussions in the Digestive Health (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/) and Tranplants groups (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/).

Here are some discussions where you can connect with others:
- Diagnosed with NASH. Listed for liver transplant https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hello-all-my-name-is-howard-and-i-have-been-diagnosed-with/
- NASH and cirrhosis of the liver. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/nash-and-cirrhosis-of-the-liver/

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.