Venison is a good protein choice for people with cardiovascular disease. Venison differs from red meat in part because it is leaner and has less fat and fewer calories. Â.
Deer meat, a type of venison, is high in essential amino acids. However, youâll need to know how to properly store, clean, and cook deer meat to avoid foodborne illnesses. Â â.
Is Venison Good For Fatty Liver? A Closer Look
Fatty liver disease is increasingly common, affecting over 100 million Americans. With fatty buildup in the liver, it’s crucial to follow dietary guidelines to manage this condition. So an important question is – is venison a healthy option for fatty liver? Or should it be avoided? Let’s take a closer look.
Understanding Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver disease occurs when there is excessive fat accumulation in liver cells. This buildup can be caused by heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes, or other factors.
There are two main types:
- Alcoholic fatty liver disease – caused by excessive alcohol intake
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – occurs even without alcohol abuse
NAFLD is the most common liver disorder in developed countries estimated to impact 25% of the population.
In the early stages, fatty liver may not cause symptoms. But over time, it can progress to inflammation, liver scarring, and cirrhosis. That’s why dietary changes are key to manage this condition.
Limiting Fatty, Sugary Foods
A “fatty liver diet” aims to reduce fat intake and lower insulin resistance. To accomplish this, experts recommend limiting:
- Saturated fats – found in fatty red meats, butter, cheese, ice cream
- Added sugars – sodas, juices, baked goods, candy
- Refined carbs – white bread, white rice, pasta
- Fried foods – french fries, fried chicken, onion rings
These foods are digested quickly and can spike blood sugar. Over time, insulin resistance develops, which drives fat accumulation in the liver.
Choosing Plant-Based, High-Fiber Foods
In place of sugary, fatty foods, it’s important to focus on high-fiber plant foods. These include:
- Fruits – berries, citrus fruits, apples, grapes
- Vegetables – broccoli, spinach, kale, carrots
- Legumes – beans, lentils, chickpeas
- Nuts and seeds – almonds, walnuts, flaxseed
- Whole grains – oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa
Plant foods are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber. They help manage blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and provide satiety. A plant-based Mediterranean diet is ideal for fatty liver.
The Role of Protein
Protein should not be eliminated in a fatty liver diet, but it’s important to choose wisely. Leaner proteins are recommended, such as:
- Chicken and turkey (skinless)
- Fish and shellfish – salmon, tuna, shrimp
- Eggs (especially egg whites)
- Plant proteins – tofu, tempeh, beans
- Low-fat dairy – Greek yogurt, milk, cheese
Avoid fattier cuts of beef, pork and lamb. And limit processed meats like bacon and sausage which are high in sodium and preservatives.
Health experts used to recommend restricting protein to avoid stressing the liver. But newer research shows the benefits of protein for preserving muscle mass and supporting metabolism. Aim for 0.8-1 gram of protein per kg of body weight.
Should You Avoid Venison?
Venison is meat from deer, elk and other wild game. Since it comes from red meat animals like beef, some people wonder whether venison is okay for a fatty liver diet.
Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons:
Potential Benefits:
- Very lean – less than 2g fat per 3oz serving
- High in B vitamins, iron and zinc
- Lower in saturated fat than beef or pork
- Provides quality, digestible protein
Potential Drawbacks:
- Still a red meat, which experts say to limit
- Can be high in cholesterol (70mg per 3oz serving)
- Risk of parasites from wild game meat
Overall, venison can be a healthier choice compared to commercial beef or pork. The very lean cuts are reasonable to include occasionally as part of a balanced fatty liver diet.
Some experts advise avoiding all red meat. But others say leaner red meat in moderation is fine. Talk to your doctor about whether venison fits into your diet plan.
If you do choose venison, select the leanest cuts like loin or round. Avoid higher fat options like ribs or sausage. And always cook thoroughly to 165°F to eliminate parasites.
Other Tips for a Fatty Liver Diet
In addition to protein choices, some other tips for managing fatty liver through diet include:
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Choose healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds. Avoid trans and saturated fats.
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Increase calories from carbs to 40-50% – but focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
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Drink water and unsweetened drinks instead of soda, juice and alcohol.
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Limit sodium to 2,300mg per day to avoid fluid retention.
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Take vitamin E, calcium and vitamin D if deficient – but get nutritionist guidance on proper dosing.
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Spread meals throughout the day and avoid long periods of fasting.
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Exercise regularly to help reduce liver fat – aim for 150 minutes per week.
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Lose weight slowly if overweight, about 1-2 pounds per week. Losing just 5-10% of weight can markedly improve fatty liver disease.
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Get 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night to allow liver resting and regeneration.
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Manage stress levels through yoga, meditation or counseling. High stress contributes to fatty liver.
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Avoid exposure to environmental toxins in food, water, air and products that may burden the liver.
Is venison a superfood for fatty liver? Not exactly. But incorporating some lean venison in moderation can be reasonable as part of a healthy diet. Focus on the overall pattern of what you eat – emphasizing plants, fiber, lean proteins and healthy fats. With consistency over time, you can improve your liver health one bite at a time.
Types of Deer Meat
The deer meat can be handled in various ways after being deboned. You can soften the deer meat, grind it up, make jerky strips out of it, or keep the whole cuts for roasts. Â.
You can also keep venison dehydrated, canned in a pressure canner, or frozen for later consumption.Â
How to Cook Deer Meat
As soon as the deer meat has been cleaned and deboned, it needs to be frozen for 30 days. Freezing deer meat helps kill parasites like Trichinella and Toxoplasmosis gondii. Â.
That said, freezing doesnât kill bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses like E. coli or Salmonella, so you’ll need to cook the meat until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit on the inside after it has thawed. Â.
Eating venison fresh isnt recommended because of how common parasites and tapeworms are. Even in homemade jerky and fermented sausages, E. coli can stay in the deers intestinal tract. You should steam, roast, or boil venison to 165 degrees Fahrenheit before drying.
When making soups, stews, casseroles, and meatloaf, make sure leftovers are reheated to the same 165 degrees F.Â
Venison can taste gamey, dry, and tough, but there are ways to improve flavor and texture. Soak the deer meat in two tablespoons of vinegar mixed with one quart of water for an hour before cooking it to get rid of the gamey taste. Â.
To keep your deer meat moist, you can rub the roast with oil before cooking.Â
To tenderize the meat and add flavor, you can soak the deer meat in a marinade. French or Italian dressings, tomato sauce, or fruit juices all make great marinades. Make sure you marinate the meat in your refrigerator and throw out the marinade after cooking the meat. The longer you marinate the meat, the more tender it will be. However, marinating for more than 24 hours can make the meat mushy. Â.
While deer meat can be pretty nutritious, you should be aware of the risks of consuming venison. Certain wild animals can carry infectious diseases like:Â.
Brucellosis. You are more likely to get this disease as a hunter if you touch the blood and organs of a deer. You can get sick if dirty animal blood, fluid, or tissue gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or skin. This can occur during:Â.
- Field dressing
- ButcheringÂ
- Handing and preparing raw meat before cooking
- Eating meat thats not fully cooked
When hunting, avoid animals that look visibly ill or are already dead. You should also use safe field dressing techniques because even healthy-appearing animals could be infected with brucellosis. Â.
Safe field dressing techniques include:Â
- Using clean, sharp knives
- Wearing eye protection
- Using disposable or reusable rubber or latex gloves
- Avoiding direct contact with fluid or organs
- Not coming into direct contact with hunting dogs that may have touched animals that were being hunted
- Throw away disposable gloves and parts of the body that won’t be used carefully and completely.
- For at least 20 seconds, wash your hands with soap and warm water.
- Cleaning all your tools and reusable gloves with disinfectantÂ
- giving your dogs raw meat or other parts of the body that can make them sick
It could take anywhere between a week to a month for you to start feeling sick. If you experience any symptoms of brucellosis, you should talk to your doctor immediately. Tell them about any contact youve had with wild animals like deer while hunting. Â.
Signs of a brucellosis infection include:Â
- Fever
- Chills
- Sweating
- Headache
- Reduced appetite
- Fatigue
- Joint or muscle pain
Doctors will test your blood for brucellosis and get you started on a treatment plan.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD). Â Theres no strong evidence that humans can get CWD. However, there is a risk if you consume meat thats been infected. There are monitoring tools that look at CWD rates in an area where youre hunting. Testing might not be available in every state, though, and some states test differently. Â.
If you go hunting in a place where CWD is common, you should really think about getting the animals tested before you eat their meat.
Generally, deer meat can provide a rewarding dinner, especially after a long hunting season. Venison is a nutritious alternative to red meat like beef and pork. However, its essential to follow safety precautions to ensure you dont get sick from eating venison. When you know what to do, have the right tools, and follow safety rules, you can get enough meat to feed your family for months.
Strictly Avoid these 5 Foods if you have Fatty Liver | Fatty liver treatment | liver disease
FAQ
What meat is best for fatty liver?
Is deer meat lean or fatty?
Is deer meat inflammatory?
Can I eat red meat with fatty liver?
Is consuming venison meat beneficial for health?
Venison meat is an excellent source of B vitamins and zinc*. It contains small to moderate amounts of most other minerals. Key Point: Venison is a high-protein meat that is low in fat and total calories. B vitamins and zinc are the most significant nutrients that the meat provides.
Which is better venison heart or liver?
This includes the almighty venison liver. When it comes to nutrient-dense organ meats, the liver is the next logical step after trying venison heart. While the heart is very mild in flavor and most reminiscent of a really good steak, the liver takes a bit of a stronger palate and a more acquired taste.
Is venison a good source of protein?
Venison is a good source of protein, as it contains fewer calories than other red meat varieties on a gram-for-gram basis. Despite this, the meat contains higher amounts of beneficial vitamins and minerals.
Is venison a lean meat?
Venison is a lean meat and much lower in calories than typical cuts of beef, lamb, or pork. Therefore, it is an excellent choice when looking to get more protein without increasing total calorie intake.