Fatty liver disease, hepatitis and other infections affect your entire digestive system, so caring for overall digestive health through diet will best address your liver problem. Make choices in each food group that favors the most nutrition in the most easily digestible form. Foods to eat include items high in fiber, iron and the other essential minerals and vitamins that you need daily. Foods to avoid are those high in fat and more than moderate in protein-- these nutrients impede digestion.
Fortified Cereal
All whole grains contain iron, a mineral stored in the liver, but some cereals have extra iron added to them. If you have a liver problem, your body may have trouble retaining adequate iron. Choosing a fortified cereal to eat daily will ensure a consistent mineral supply.
Wheat and corn cereals tend to be low in fat, moderate in protein and have the greatest iron as well as fiber content. Read the package nutrition facts to find brands with 100 percent daily value of iron. The American Diabetes Association considers those with at least 3 g of fiber adequate, but some cereals have as much as 9 g of fiber.
Beans, Lentils and Peas
Eating a lowfat bean dish in place of meat several times a week has similar nutritional benefits, as the American Diabetes Association notes. Cooked black and kidney beans, lentils and split peas have some of the highest fiber amounts among plant-based foods.
Their soft texture allows people with liver problems to digest them easily, and their moderate protein contributions make acceptable substitutes for meats. Additional foods to eat include pinto, lima and navy beans, chickpeas and black-eyed peas.
Fish
Individuals with liver problems who still wish to eat animal-based protein foods can enjoy fish such as salmon and trout often. The American College of Gastroenterology endorses these easily digestible, moderate protein sources for people with liver scarring.
Fish have a greater proportion of beneficial unsaturated fat to less-healthy saturated fat -- the type that is most difficult to digest. Additional fish to eat include haddock, cod and sole, but not shellfish, which may damage the liver if undercooked or eaten raw.
Vegetables and Fruits
In addition to their great fiber contributions to a diet for liver health, vegetables and fruits help you achieve your daily values of a wide range of essential minerals, including iron, and vitamins. According to the USDA Nutrient Database, veggies such as cooked spinach, broccoli and sweet potatoes offer large amounts of iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium and vitamins A, B, C and E. Fruit fibers can be coarse, so the best choices for people with liver disease are bananas, papayas, grapes and apples, for their vitamin C and potassium content.
