Smart food choices, especially when it comes to snacks, can be helpful when you’re managing metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a progressive form of fatty liver disease, as diet plays a key role in protecting your liver and supporting your overall health.
“Food matters because one of the best ways to manage and improve MASH is to lose weight and control risk factors for metabolic syndrome,” says Katherine Patton, RD, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic. “If you think about food as medicine and are intentional about choosing nutrient-rich foods, you will improve your health,” she says.
While planning meals that are rich in protein, fiber, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fat can go a long way, many people overlook the importance of healthy snacking. Grab-and-go portable foods are often high in refined carbohydrates and added sugar, which can contribute to fat accumulation in the liver, says Beril Hezer, RD, who works at Banner Health in Phoenix, Arizona. Choosing MASH-friendly, whole-food options gives you steady energy and helps protect both your liver and heart, says Hezer.
