NASH Diet changes

[nash1996]

Hi all,

I have NASH with F2 fibrosis, I am overweight and have had quite a processed/fast food driven diet for many years.

Changes I'm making/have made include:

Taking a milk thistle supplement.

Drinking 3 cups of green tea a day.

Drinking 3 cups of coffee a day.

Eating salmon, tuna or cod at least 4 times a week.

Switching red meat for lean chicken (occasional steak if I go out).

Increasing fruit and vegetable intake.

Limiting alcohol to the occasional drink when out.

Trying to eat 2000 calories a day to drop weight.

Are there any other measures I can introduce?

Thanks!

[Herman7275]

I have done all you are doing but my liver dr has suggested I start a low carb diet and have revearsed fatty liver, I have decreased my fibrosis and cirrhosis, Check into a Low Carb Diet and exercise, You want to know more about the diet, let me know.

[sadysue2 in reply to Herman7275]

herman could you tell me the protein, fat and carbs you eat on a low carb diet? Do you eat fruit?

[Herman7275 in reply to sadysue2]

Yes 134grams of protein, 96grams of fat, 30 carbs, and with those particular grams figure up to 1569 calories but I don't worry bout the calories, I am only allowed to eat berries, strawberries raspberries, black& blue berries. I hope that helps but if not ask some more

[sadysue2 in reply to Herman7275]

Herman do you eat meat protein or vegetable protein, all meats or some?

[Herman7275 in reply to sadysue2]

I eat lean pork, fish, chicken, hard cheese, plenty of eggs, vegetables are: broccoli cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, a few tomatoes, and salad mixes no milk, no sugar, no pasta,bread, potatoes, no rice. No wheat flower but I use coconut, almound flour. Coconut oil.

[TNWONDER]

1. Cut out meat. 2. Cut out ALL sugar - I mean it - totally zero - read every label. If even something has 1g added sugar than it is toxic to you. Biggest thing you can do. 3. Cut out everything "white" (White breads, white rice etc) - whole grains only. 4. Nothing processed or fried. 5. Exercise - liver loves exercise. 6. Drink lots of water and coffee. 7. Easy on the dairy. Substitute for plant based options such as oat milk (make sure you choose the ones that are unsweetened w no added sugar). 8. Limit alcohol to only occasional - red wine preferably. 9. Eat plant based proteins as much as possible - have animal protein free days at least 2-4x per week. 10. This sounds like alot but have faith - it becomes habit. U can totally do it. U must have willpower and understand that your old habits are toxic and slowly killing you. U will feel better, look better and have way more energy. Lots of luck

[nash1996 in reply to TNWONDER]

Thanks! I've limited alcohol to gin and red wine - apparently both can be easier on the liver.Do you really need to cut out white meat? I haven't read anywhere that lean chicken for example is damaging.

[Herman7275 in reply to nash1996]

I have been told chicken fish, lean pork, no beans , lentils, rice, potatoes,pasta, bread, hard cheese & eggs are great!!! Some vegetables and the berries in fruit.

[Herman7275 in reply to nash1996]

I was told NO ALCOHOL !!! I STOPPED ALL LIQUOR when I was I waa told of my fatty liver!!!

[TNWONDER]

Red meat. Poultry is OK. Generally it's best to start incorporating plant based protein options such as beans, lentils, etc. I typically have chicken/fish maybe 3-4x per week and the other days plant based only

[nash1996 in reply to TNWONDER]

Thanks. I've been eating lean pan fried chicken breast and/or tuna/salmon/cod pretty much every day. I'll try and introduce some veggie meals.

[Jkf1]

I am fasting and eating in a 5 or 6 hour window A-day. I have the same diagnosis as you. My blood work has improved tremendously and I have lost a bunch of inches and weight. I eat leafy greens and vegetables, some wholegrain bread, (no more than 2 slices a day)Olive oil and avocade oil, whole eggs, Tuna and salmon, Boneless skinless chicken breasts, Some fruits especially berries ns some cheese. I do allow myself a few handfuls of guilty pleasure snacks. Basically the mediterranean diet. I eat till I am full but not stuffed to the gills. I'm not sure those milk thistle supplements really work and they might actually do harm.

[nash1996 in reply to Jkf1]

Thanks for your reply. What is the positive effect of fasting? I'm trying to do that, eat enough so I'm satisfied but not stuffed. My hepatologist said the milk thistle wouldn't harm me but probably wouldn't do much good either, hmm, I'll have a think.

[Jkf1 in reply to nash1996]

Fasting completely stabilizes your blood sugars and body hormones. It gives your liver a break, And your body has an easier time accessing the stored fat on your body since the insulin levels are lower. Fasting speeds up atophaugy in your body, and increases growth hormone.. both of these are excellent for the body for longevity ans health. People with diabetes can fast too, although they need to watch their blood sugars. We weren't meant to eat 3,4,5,6 times a-day, and because we have such high insulin in our blood from eating all the time with the western diet, it is very hard for our bodies to access the stored fat. There are some really great lectures from medical doctors on the subject on YouTube. I eat only 2 meals a day, In the 5 or 6 hour window. Both my primary doctor and hepathologist are all for it.

[UhOhCKD]

Cutting out ALL sugar is what has helped me the absolute most. That means cutting out sugar from fruits, dairy, sauces that have excess sugars, and stay away from fake "zero carb" and alternative natural "zero carb" sugars as well. Fruits are great for people without health conditions but that's not us. You can do it, I had hard sugar cravings but not anymore.

[nash1996 in reply to UhOhCKD]

I thought that! Everywhere tells you to eat more fruit, but at the same time says don't eat sugar, fruits are loaded with sugar. I'm eating far more veggies than fruit.

[ThyroidDeb]

healthline.com/nutrition/is...

[Stewarpa]

I was diagnosed with F2 even though my initial blood work was showing F3. After 6 weeks of truly changing my eating habits, my blood work is almost normal. My older sister already had a liver transplant in her late sixties, and she only had a drink of champagne or wine once or twice a year. I went from good health to F2/F3 in about 18 months due to weight gain. I know from past experience my liver is greatly impacted by my cholesterol levels, weight and exercise. I focus on eliminating anything that turns to sugar in my body; breads, rice, pasta, alcohol, fruit drinks, sweets of any kind. I eat a diet that would be good for someone trying to control diabetes naturally. Then I focus on anything to improve my cholesterol. My Dr also took me off statins and I believe that has helped some. But I eat no red meat and try to pick fish over chicken when I can. I have steel cut oats for breakfast at least 5 days a week and add blueberries (great antioxidants to help liver). I cook up a week's worth in my instapot and it keeps great in the fridge, so very easy to fix in the morning. Extra virgin olive oil is also good for you and it is recommended to have 2 tbs per day. I use it mostly to stir fry fresh veggies or occasionally pan fry fish. I have lost 12 lbs in the last 6 weeks. When I feel like I really want something, I just say to myself "You have a choice, you can live or you can die. Eating this is supporting the 2nd choice". Then I think of my family and friends and I don't want them facing where I will be if I don't fix this now. Because I saw how tough things got for my sister before her transplant, I know cirrhosis is really bad and it affects the ones you love as much as it affects you. You CAN do this!

[Trinkiet]

Thanks so much for your post. I have Cirrhosis and i get away from this basic thought which is what you just said, "do you want to live or do you want to die". I try to find ways that it's okay to eat this or that and honestly, it's just not. This is my lot in life now, fair or not, this is it. Thanks for reminding me of my choices.