A liver-shrinking eating plan is very low in calories, carbohydrates, and fats. Physicians often advise this regimen for people preparing for weight-loss (bariatric) surgery.
Your liver accounts for roughly 2% of your total body weight and is the largest solid organ inside you. Unless you have liver disease, you probably don’t often think about its dimensions.
Several issues can lead to an enlarged liver. When the enlargement is diet-related, a physician may suggest dietary adjustments ahead of certain operations.
This article examines the liver-shrinking diet: why it’s used, who should follow it, and example meal plans.
What is a liver shrinking diet?
As the term implies, a liver-shrinking diet aims to decrease liver volume. The approach emphasizes high protein while restricting carbohydrates and fats. The precise caloric target recommended by clinicians can differ between programs.
This dietary strategy prompts the body to deplete glycogen and fat stores within the liver. As glycogen is used up, water bound to it is released, making the liver less engorged and reducing its size.
Who needs to be on a liver shrinking diet?
A doctor may advise this diet prior to bariatric surgery. An enlarged liver can raise the risk of bleeding, and if the liver is overly large, the surgeon may struggle to access the stomach, complicating the operation.
Physicians might also recommend a liver-shrinking eating plan to help someone adapt to the nutritional patterns they’ll follow after weight-loss surgery. People with fatty liver disease often already follow a comparable diet.
Your clinician will likely consider your body mass index (BMI) when advising how long to follow the diet before surgery. In one study the median time participants began the regimen was 6 weeks preoperatively, with recommendations ranging from 2 to 12 weeks.
What foods should you eat, and what foods should you avoid?
Foods commonly included on a liver-shrinking diet are:
- chicken
- lean beef cuts
- eggs
- Greek yogurt
- non-starchy vegetables (for example broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
Examples of foods and drinks generally discouraged on this plan include:
- alcohol
- sugary beverages and sweets
- jelly
- high-fat dressings and sauces
What are sample liver shrinking diet menus that you can adopt?
Below are a few example liver-shrinking menus, but individual recommendations from your doctor may differ. It’s essential to adhere to the specific plan your clinician provides. If you have concerns about following the prescribed diet, discuss them with your doctor or a registered dietitian.
One possible approach is four 325-milliliter (about 11-ounce) ready-made SlimFast protein meal-replacement shakes plus two servings of non-starchy vegetables per day.
An alternative that incorporates more solid foods might look like:
- breakfast: 1 carbohydrate serving and 1 dairy serving
- lunch: 2 protein servings and 2 vegetable servings
- snacks: 2 fruit servings during the day
- dinner: 1 protein serving, 1 vegetable serving, 1 dairy serving, and 2 carbohydrate servings
A sample day on this plan could be:
| Breakfast | 1 slice of bread with 30 grams of light cream cheese |
|---|---|
| Lunch | A bowl of mixed salad greens and 6–8 cherry tomatoes without dressing; 3–4 ounces of grilled chicken |
| Snack (morning and/or afternoon) | ½ banana, 1 cup of berries (or two servings of fruit total, eaten anytime during the day) |
| Dinner | 1 cup cooked broccoli with 1 teaspoon olive oil; a salmon fillet; a glass of skim milk; 4 tablespoons brown rice |
Along with the foods above, clinicians commonly recommend drinking at least 64 ounces of water or other approved fluids daily. Confirm the appropriate fluid target with your doctor and whether you should take a multivitamin or other supplements.
Frequently asked questions about liver shrinking diets
Typical items on a liver-shrinking menu include eggs, chicken, Greek yogurt, and non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli. (If you’re unsure which vegetables count as non-starchy, you can read more here.)
How long does it take for your liver to shrink on a diet?
Improvements from a liver-shrinking diet can be observed within a few weeks.
How can I quickly reduce my liver size?
Lowering calorie, carbohydrate, and fat intake can shrink the liver over several weeks, though your doctor may also recommend nutritional supplements or an intragastric balloon before gastric bypass surgery.
How can I tell if my liver is shrinking?
Imaging tests, such as ultrasound, can help assess whether your liver size has changed.
Takeaway
A liver-shrinking diet restricts carbohydrates and fats while emphasizing protein.
Your physician may suggest this regimen before you undergo weight-loss surgery. Follow any preoperative instructions from your healthcare team and consult your doctor or dietitian if you have questions.
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