The pancreas is an organ of many talents. Most of us know the pancreas as a diligent brewer of insulin, the super-important hormone for controlling blood sugar. We can say that no one can eat without this spongy organ because it plays a very important role in digestion. But sometimes, the pancreas is known to digest itself, causing a strange phenomenon called pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes become active while in the pancreas (usually not becoming active until they reach the small intestine), resulting in inflammation and damage to the tissues and small cells of the pancreas. The pancreas begins to “digest” itself as digestive fluids accumulate inside the organ. Building a healthy pancreatitis diet plan and eating balanced meals is the best way to avoid messing with your pancreas.
The pancreatitis diet: an introduction
Your doctor may tell you not to eat or drink for a period of time while treating chronic pancreatitis. Once you start eating again, your doctor will prescribe a diet for pancreatitis that includes small, frequent meals. The pancreatitis diet is a healthy, low-fat diet consisting of nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and other lean protein sources. The goal of the diet is to prevent malnutrition and pain while eliminating foods that exacerbate inflammation.
The diet for pancreatitis begins with complete abstinence from alcohol and fatty foods. Carbohydrates may be limited in diabetics. Studies show that a diet for pancreatitis can include 30%-40% of calories from fat, especially foods rich in medium-chain triglycerides or fats from whole plant sources. Pancreatitis diets are usually low to moderate in fiber because high fiber intake may absorb pancreatic enzymes and delay the absorption of nutrients.
HealthifyMe Note
A healthy pancreatitis diet is all about creating sustainable eating habits and finding recipes that can become staples in your home. Focus on foods that your pancreas can tolerate and won’t have to work as hard to process.
Pancreatitis diet: foods to eat
The pancreatitis diet is basically a low-fat diet, in which the fiber intake is low. The amount of fat in a pancreatitis diet varies, depending on your weight and height. It can range from 30-50 grams of fat, depending on the tolerance of the pancreas. Note that you should not focus your daily fat intake on one meal.
Here are the foods you can include in a diet for pancreatitis:
- vegetables: Spinach, cauliflower, carrots, beetroot, cucumber, cherry tomato
- the fruit: Peeled apple, blueberry, cherry, pineapple
- protein: Lean protein sources like chicken, beans and lentils
- All grains: Oats and barley
- MCTs: Yogurt, low fat milk, coconut
- Drinks: Soft coconut water, yoghurt, water, broth and filtered fruit juice
Pancreatitis diet: foods to avoid
You may need to limit your intake of beans and whole grains if you have chronic pancreatitis, which is otherwise acceptable to include in your diet for recovery. Now, let’s take a look at the notorious foods you need to avoid.
Fried and high-fat foods
If you’re trying to combat pancreatitis, avoid fried foods that contain trans fatty acids. These highly processed foods, such as chips and fast food, can aggravate the condition or contribute to chronic pancreatitis. Other foods high in fat are:
- red meat
- Processed meats such as sausages and sausages
- Mayonnaise, ghee and butter
- meat
Refined carbohydrates and high-sugar foods
Foods that are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates cause an insulin imbalance, which puts stress on the pancreas. It also increases triglyceride levels, which is a risk factor for acute pancreatitis.
Foods to limit are:
- Pastries and sweets with added sugars, such as cakes, donuts, ice cream and milkshakes
- Soft drinks
- Packaged juices and energy drinks with added sugars
alcohol
To recover and avoid pancreatitis, you must stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol consumption leads to dehydration, which causes the pancreas to glow. Drinking alcohol during a bout of pancreatitis increases triglyceride levels and makes the pancreas work harder. It can lead to serious health problems and even death.
Three day diet chart template for pancreatitis
Foods containing yoghurt or yoghurt should be an essential part of your daily pancreatitis diet, whether you eat it with your main meals or as a snack. Since the pancreas is not working optimally, follow a consistent schedule to put your pancreas on the right track.
Take a look at our Pancreas-Friendly Three Day Diet Plan, which may sound bleak but doesn’t compromise nutritional quality and helps calm episodes of pain.
day 1
Breakfast (8:00-8:30 am)
- My chapati: 2
- Raita: a small bowl
Mid-meal (11:00-11:30 a.m.)
- juice of 1 peeled apple
- Soft boiled egg: 1
Lunch (2:00-2:30 pm)
- Parboiled rice: 1 cup
- Soybean curry: half a cup
- Grilled chicken: 2 pieces.
Evening (4:00-4:30 pm)
- Puha oats: ½ katori
- Black tea/coffee: 1 cup
Dinner (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
- Boiled fish (without skin): 1½4 cups
- Sliced carrots: 1
- Sliced cucumber: 1
the second day
Breakfast (8:00-8:30 am)
- Coconut water: 1 cup / 200 ml
- Steamed idli with sambar: 2
Mid-meal (11:00-11:30 a.m.)
Lunch (2:00-2:30 pm)
- My chapati: 2
- Low-fat curd: 1 cup
- Mixed dal: 4 tablespoons
Evening (4:00-4:30 pm)
- Mix vegetable and fruit juice: 1 cup / 100 ml
Dinner (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
- Low-fat cinnamon milk: 1 cup / 100 ml
- Soft cooked rice and vegetables: 2 cups
day 3
Breakfast (8:00-8:30 am)
- Raita: a small bowl
- Grilled vegetable sandwich: 2
Mid-meal (11:00-11:30 a.m.)
- Oatmeal Banana Bowl: 1
- Soft coconut water: 1 cup
Lunch (2:00-2:30 pm)
- Mediterranean grilled chicken: 2 pieces.
- Pulao rice chips: 1 cup
Evening (4:00-4:30 pm)
- Black tea/coffee: 1 cup
- Vegetable sandwich: 1
Dinner (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
- Quinoa and stir-fried vegetables: 1 cup
- Mashed potatoes with green sprouts: medium bowl
HealthifyMe Note
Sometimes eating small meals throughout the day is easier than trying to eat three large meals at once. It mainly applies to those who find it difficult to eat. You also need to be very careful with a low-fat diet, spreading your daily fat intake throughout the day into 4-6 small meals.
Diet tips for pancreatitis
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Keep a water bottle with you at all times.
- Consume MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) as your primary source of fat because they do not require pancreatic enzymes to be digested.
- Avoid eating too many high-fiber foods at once.
- Consult your doctor for a prescription for supplemental or synthetic pancreatic enzymes to restore pancreatic function.
- Take a break and follow a clear fluid diet to give your pancreas some relief. Replace solid foods with clear liquids, such as broth, applesauce, cranberries, and white grape juice, for a day or two.
conclusion
Your doctor may advise you not to eat anything for a day or two before you start the pancreatitis diet, especially when you are having an attack. Then, you can gradually include foods, especially low-fat ones, which protect the pancreas and help it heal. Dieting to recover from pancreatitis may be the need of the hour, but you should also be aware of other treatments available for pancreatitis. Before embarking on a new diet, consult your doctor. Since the condition of pancreatitis is different for each patient, you need a customized diet. Get a well-crafted diet plan for your condition by subscribing to HealthifyMe.
