Eating healthy over the summer is vital with liver disease

Vacation is all most of us ever want after slogging through spring’s yearning and the early promise of a great summer. We fly to foreign locations and eat unfamiliar foods. Some of us book all-inclusive ocean cruises where we overindulge in alcohol, soda, and unlimited buffets. Others stay home, cooling our heels in a plastic kiddie pool on the patio. Either way, it’s a great time of year to remember your liver.

Holidays are usually the first culprit when looking to indict a season for crimes against the liver. It’s easy to pick them out of the lineup — everyone’s favorite excuse for the extra pudge we’ve packed on. But not many of us think about summer or vacation in the same way. I know I didn’t — until I was diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and faced a summer full of trips and events. It became clear that my old way of eating, full of funnel cakes on the boardwalk and Philly cheesesteaks, had to go if I wanted to stay healthy — and alive.

Cruises are another common culprit, with some people working to lose weight beforehand so they can eat more on the trip. And it’s not just the food on the ship — sightseeing days are filled with new culinary adventures. I get it. Trying new foods is one of my favorite things about traveling. But crash dieting can have harmful effects, including on the liver. It just doesn’t make sense to starve oneself in order to overeat for a few days.

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April 2, 2025 Columns by Kathryn Hudson

My diet for a healthy liver came from my doctor and a nutritionist

During the warmer months, many of us naturally eat less. The heat and a reduced appetite have taught me to pare down my meals to simpler, cleaner options. I’ve found creative ways to add vegetables to my day — a homemade veggie frittata for breakfast, for example. It’s not unusual for me to serve watermelon slabs with grilled steak and roasted vegetables. There are so many ways to enjoy good food that also support liver health. Summer is the perfect excuse to skip heavy cooking and turn to salads and whole foods — like crisp apples that need only a quick rinse.

I still cook in the summertime, but I do it smartly. One of the best ways to prep meals on hot days is to cook in the evening when it’s cooler, or to use tools like the grill, slow cooker, or electric pressure cooker. I often batch-cook vegetables to refrigerate, serve chilled, or quickly reheat on the grill. It’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy summer’s fresh bounty. Bonus tip: You can freeze many grilled veggies to enjoy later, offering a little taste of summer when fall leaves or winter snow roll in.

Living with MASH doesn’t mean giving up everything you love in favor of a “misery diet.” This world is full of delicious, nourishing foods your liver actually wants. Real food will always support your liver better than anything hyper-processed and packed with sugars and fats. With a little preparation and practice, you’ll find your summers easier, breezier, and more liver-friendly. Just keep telling yourself: You’ve got this. Because you really do.

Note: Liver Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Liver Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to liver disease.

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