Maintaining healthy eating habits is essential, especially when you have fatty liver disease, because the liver is your body’s largest and most important internal organ. It performs over 300 functions, including detoxification, cholesterol production, iron storage, and converting excess glucose into glycogen for storage.
The main objective of a fatty liver diet plan is to eliminate the accumulated fat in the abdominal region. Therefore, most health experts recommend the Mediterranean diet for fatty liver.
This diet is high in protein and low in refined carbohydrates. But can you eat chicken on a foie gras diet? Or does eating chicken contribute to liver health? Let’s find out!
Understanding foie gras
Fatty liver disease, or hepatic steatosis, occurs when fat builds up in the liver. Typically, the liver does not store fat, but long-term high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides can cause fat to accumulate in the liver. There are two types of foie gras:
Foie gras without alcohol
NAFLD is not associated with heavy alcohol consumption. There are two types of foie gras:
- Simple fatty liver occurs when there is only a tiny amount of fat in the liver and there is no inflammation or cell damage.
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) occurs when there is fat in the liver, inflammation, and cell damage. NASH can lead to more serious problems, such as liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, and can even be cancerous.
Alcoholic fatty liver disease
Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to fatty liver disease. The liver breaks down most of the alcohol you drink to eliminate it from your body, but this process can create harmful substances.
These substances can damage your liver cells, cause inflammation and weaken the body’s natural defenses. The more alcohol you drink, the more your liver is damaged. If left untreated, fatty liver disease can lead to alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Is chicken good for foie gras?
It is one of the best dietary options if you have fatty liver disease. Chicken is a lean protein, which keeps you full and full longer and helps reduce the number of calories you consume daily. In addition, studies show that creating such calorie deficits is beneficial for lowering liver lipids and triglycerides in overweight people with NAFLD.
One of the main causes of fatty deposits in the liver is a low protein diet. Therefore, eating enough protein can help manage fatty liver disease. Moreover, chicken provides biologically active proteins, which are easily absorbed by the body. Therefore, lean cuts of chicken can be a great addition to a fatty liver diet.
It can be a healthy option for non-vegetarians with fatty liver disease (other than fish) if you cook chicken without butter or unnecessary fats. Grilled or roasted chicken can be super delicious and filling, and it also provides your body with the protein it needs to fight off this disease. An added benefit is that chicken is more common in India and is a common poultry option. It can be a healthy replacement for red meats as they are high in saturated fat, which can exacerbate fatty liver disease.
Note from The Fitness Freak
Chicken is a good source of lean protein and can be a healthy addition to your diet if you have fatty liver. Chicken, especially skinless, is a great way to get the protein you need without worrying about saturated fat, which can be hard on the liver.
Ways to eat chicken when you have foie gras
Pan-fried chicken breasts
In just 15 minutes, you can have delicious pan-fried chicken breasts seasoned with a few simple spices. This stir-fried chicken is suitable for your liver health and improves its health.
Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl
This dish is approved for a foie gras diet because it contains healthy ingredients. It is a protein rich quinoa bowl with boneless skinless chicken, roasted tomatoes, broccoli, leafy greens and crumbled feta cheese.
Chicken and black bean salad
This salad is a good option for people with fatty liver disease who want to increase their protein intake. The chicken, beans, and greens in the salad are a great source of protein, and the fresh vegetables help stabilize blood sugar.
Conclusion
To improve your liver health, start by making some dietary changes. Avoid foods that could make your liver worse. Chicken is a good option for a foie gras diet as long as it’s cooked with minimal fat.
Always try to incorporate healthier cooking methods like grilling, roasting, boiling, poaching or steaming chicken. Talk to a nutritionist to find out how much chicken you should eat based on your needs.
