Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (2024)

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By

Jen Hoy

Jen Hoy

Jenny Hoy is an author, chef, and holistic nutritionist, with more than two decades of experience in the fields of food and healing.

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Updated on 08/8/20

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The liver is a remarkable organ with tremendous regenerative properties. It assists digestion, alongside the intestines, pancreas, and gallbladder; cleans our blood, and helps metabolizing medicines and detoxifying chemicals. In traditional Chinese medicine, the liver carries qi, the vital force, into our muscles and joints.

The liver, along with our kidneys, is a major filtration system for toxins. The liver also impacts our hormones, vision, nails, and skin. The Chinese consider the liver to be the “General” of the body, a leader in command from which much of our health or disease derives.

Modern lifestyles place a tremendous load on the liver because of fatty foods, drugs of all kinds, alcohol, and diets heavy in animal products. The following recipes are nourishing to the wood element, or liver, according to five-element cooking, and are a wonderful alternative if you're designing a menu with the goal of protecting and helping your liver function.

  • 01 of 09

    Steel Cut Oats With Flax and Fruit

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (1)

    This recipe for steel cut oats with flax and fruit features whole foods and is quick and easy: soak overnight and eat in the morning, or cook in big batches and reheat as needed for a full week or breakfasts. Steel-cut oats are chopped whole oats–less processed, and healthier than the instant variety. Fiber-rich, oats help digestion and lower cholesterol levels, are protein-rich, and have considerable amounts of protein. Combined with flax, which is rich in fatty acids, and sweet fruit, this breakfast is as tasty as it is healthy.

  • 02 of 09

    Ultra Green Smoothie Recipe

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (2)

    This potent green smoothie recipe is so full of liver-cleansing greens, it's guaranteed to deliver a pleasant rush of energy and to jump-start a sluggish digestive system. The banana is an optional addition for those who may not do well with too much of the green flavor, as it softens the intensity and adds creaminess. Organic produce is always recommended for smoothies and raw consumption of fruits and vegetables.

  • 03 of 09

    Provencal Carrot Salad

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (3)

    This simple Provencal carrot salad is common in southern France. Carrots are beneficial for the lungs, liver, and eyes; they help ease indigestion and acidic blood conditions. One of the best sources of beta-carotene, the carrots in the salad are combined with green vitamin-filled parsley, tangy lemon, mustard, and olive oil. Great when made with a sweet, juicy bunch of organic carrots, the salad is also great with larger carrots, as long as they're thoroughly washed and peeled. Often served alongside bowls of olives and other vegetable salads, this salad is a great appetizer or palate cleanser between courses.

  • 04 of 09

    Morrocan Carrot Salad

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (4)

    This flavorful Morrocan carrot salad is particularly good served with tofu or white fish and bitter greens. Carrots are beneficial for the lungs, liver, and eyes. They also help digestion and blood-related conditions. Seasoned with garlic and cumin, also great for improving digestion, this salad is a great source of fiber and vitamins, and an excellent vegan and vegetarian side dish.

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.

  • 05 of 09

    Raw Collard Green Salad

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (5)

    This collard green salad is full of liver-cleansing and boosting ingredients. This cruciferous vegetable is packed with vitamins K, A, C, and folate, as well as calcium and magnesium. Filled with fiber, collard greens support digestion and provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits (lower blood cholesterol, prevent cancer, provide cardiovascular support). Although collards are usually cooked, this salad is instead consumed raw, for a quick and healthy side dish.

  • 06 of 09

    Sauteed Broccoli

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (6)

    This quick and easy whole food sautée broccoli, with shallots, garlic, and lemon, is an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, and iron. Pungent garlic is also known to help with digestion and shallots (like all other alliums) are a great source of fiber and enzymes that help strengthen the immune system and gut flora.

  • 07 of 09

    Vegetable Broth

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (7)

    This easy recipe for vegetable broth is a soothing and easy dish that can be incorporated into your daily menu as a light and healthy appetizer. This broth is packed with flavor from the vegetables and mushrooms, and can be served as is with chopped green onions on top, or be the base of other healthy dishes like thicker soups or rice.

  • 08 of 09

    Beetroot Salad

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (8)

    Beetroots are an excellent source of fiber and are known for activating liver enzymes and the production of bile, thus helping detoxifying your system. Helpful in reducing inflammation, beetroot also helps to protect from oxidative stress. This easy salad roasts whole beetroots, with the skin on, with salt, thyme, and olive oil. Carefully peel to avoid your hands getting all red, and cube in medium-size chunks. Serve with your favorite citrus vinaigrette.

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.

  • 09 of 09

    Avocado Salad

    Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (9)

    Avocados are high in fat, but this type of healthy fat is beneficial to the body and helps with digestion and liver and hormonal function. Because they're nutrient-dense, avocados also help you stay satiated for longer. A daily serving of avocado (recommended: 2-ounce piece or one-quarter of a medium-sized fruit) is proven to help with weight maintenance. This easy salad uses fennel, too, which is a fiber-rich bulb with anise flavor that also helps the liver in its cleansing process, boosting its health and your overall well-being.

  • Healthy Lunches
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Recipes for Nourishing the Liver (2024)

FAQs

What foods are best for liver repair? ›

Foods that support liver health tend to be high in fiber, antioxidants, or healthy fats. These include things like berries, cruciferous vegetables, beans, nuts, and fatty fish.

What dinners are good for your liver? ›

Best Quick Dinner: (1) Grilled pork chops with rice, (2) frozen cooked chicken pieces and a sauce or (3) previously frozen chili. Most important pantry items: Cans (with no salt added) of: tomatoes, tomato sauces, black beans, kidney beans and chickpeas. These items are versatile.

What is the best drink to repair your liver? ›

Below, we explore 11 drinks that are often reported to support liver health — and tell you what the research says about each one.
  • Detox tea. Liver detox tea usually contains many different herbs and ingredients. ...
  • Green tea. ...
  • Turmeric tea. ...
  • Ginger tea. ...
  • Grapefruit juice. ...
  • Apple cider vinegar. ...
  • Lemon water. ...
  • Cranberry juice.
Mar 1, 2024

Are scrambled eggs ok for the liver? ›

People with cirrhosis on average should only eat 1-3 eggs per week. Eat boiled eggs instead of fried or fried eggs. However, you should not continuously eat eggs when you have cirrhosis because the liver will have to work harder, increasing pressure on the liver, making liver disease worse.

What are the 5 liver super foods? ›

Top foods and drinks for liver health
  • Coffee. A 2021 study analyzed data from 494,585 people in the United Kingdom to learn how different types of coffee might affect the risk of chronic liver disease, including decaffeinated, instant, and ground coffee. ...
  • Oatmeal. ...
  • Green tea. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Grapes. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Prickly pear.

What foods are hard on the liver? ›

What foods are bad for your liver?
  • Fast food. It's quick, it's cheap, and sometimes you really crave it. ...
  • Ultra-processed foods. ...
  • Sweetened foods. ...
  • Sugary drinks. ...
  • Artificial sweeteners. ...
  • Refined grains. ...
  • Red meat and processed meats. ...
  • Alcohol.
Apr 1, 2024

What is the number one food for your liver? ›

In general, a diet high in whole, nutrient-dense foods, like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and seafood, and low in ultra-processed food, alcohol, and added sugar is what's best for liver health.

What to cook for someone with cirrhosis of the liver? ›

Eat more calories and protein
  • Beans and pulses such as lentils, kidney beans, or baked beans.
  • Nuts such as almonds or walnuts.
  • Eggs, cheese and other dairy products.
  • Fish such as cod, salmon, and tinned or fresh tuna, sardines or mackerel.
  • Meats such as turkey, chicken, or lean cuts of beef, pork and lamb.

Is peanut butter okay for liver disease? ›

Is peanut butter good for the liver? Peanut butter can enhance antioxidant activity in the liver and support liver function because of its high level of vitamins and antioxidants. Given that liver patients must adhere to several dietary limitations, peanut butter is a well-balanced source of protein.

Are bananas good for the liver? ›

Bananas: Bharadwaj also suggests bananas for fatty liver disease patients. They are a storehouse f vitamin B6, C and A and also high in resistant starch, which is good for liver health. 5. Cranberries: Just like blueberries, you need to also add cranberries to the diet.

How do I detox my liver asap? ›

How to Detox Your Liver?
  1. Consume More Water. Starting off easy, water is great and one of the best liver detox methods. ...
  2. Sweating Is The Way To Go. It is imperative for your body to sweat. ...
  3. Say Goodbye To Toxic Foods. Fast food has become a way of life. ...
  4. Raw Vegetable Juice To The Rescue. ...
  5. You Need Potassium-Rich Foods.

Can apple cider vinegar clean out your liver? ›

“By promoting blood flow and filtration, and boosting energy within the liver, apple cider vinegar can aid in the removal of harmful toxins that tend to build up in an overwhelmed or unhealthy liver,” she continues.

Is cheese good for the liver? ›

Fatty Liver Foods to Avoid

Steer clear of saturated fats, which lead to more fatty deposits in your liver. This includes: Poultry, except for lean white meat. Full-fat cheese.

Is mayonnaise good for fatty liver? ›

Mayonnaise consumption has been found to be associated with an increase in serum β-carotene concentration when consumed with carrots rich in β-carotene. However, there is no direct evidence in the provided abstracts to suggest a direct association between mayonnaise consumption and fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Is yogurt good for the liver? ›

Regular consumption of yogurt is beneficial for your liver for the following reasons: It helps reduce weight, body mass index, and serum levels of fasting insulin. These are some of the main risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It reduces cholesterol and sugar levels in your body.

What is the fastest way to heal your liver? ›

Some great foods to help cleanse and support liver function include leafy greens like spinach and kale, avocados, broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, grapefruit, green tea, turmeric, apples, olive oil, citrus fruits, beets, and cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts and cabbage.

How do you flush out your liver? ›

In most cases, a liver detox involves one or more of the following:
  1. taking supplements designed to flush toxins out of the liver.
  2. eating a liver-friendly diet.
  3. avoiding certain foods.
  4. going on a juice fast.
  5. cleansing the colon and gut through the use of enemas.
Dec 21, 2017

Are bananas good for liver repair? ›

Bananas: Bharadwaj also suggests bananas for fatty liver disease patients. They are a storehouse f vitamin B6, C and A and also high in resistant starch, which is good for liver health. 5. Cranberries: Just like blueberries, you need to also add cranberries to the diet.

What juices detox the liver? ›

Beetroot juice: Beetroot juice is a great way to detox your liver and improve its function. They are high in antioxidants and help to cleanse the blood. They also promote healthy liver function by helping to break down toxins. Try adding some beet juice to your diet for better liver health.

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