Pancreatitis Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid

Pancreatitis is a condition in which your pancreas becomes inflamed or swollen, unable to perform its endocrine or exocrine functions. One of the ways to treat pancreatitis is to follow a well-balanced diet for patients with pancreatitis. This article will provide information on foods to eat and avoid when you have pancreatitis.

The pancreas helps you regulate the way your body processes sugar. It also plays an important function in the release of enzymes and helps you digest food.
When your pancreas is swollen or inflamed, it can't do its job. This condition is called pancreatitis.
Because the pancreas is closely related to your digestion, it is influenced by what you choose to eat. In cases of acute pancreatitis, pancreatitis is often triggered by gallstones.
But in the case of chronic pancreatitis, where flare-ups recur over time, your diet can have a lot to do with the problem. Researchers are learning more about foods you can eat to protect and even help heal your pancreas.

To keep your pancreas healthy, focus on foods that are high in protein, low in animal fat, and contain antioxidants. Try lean meats, beans and lentils, clear soups, and dairy alternatives (such as flaxseed and almond milk). Your pancreas won't have to work as hard to process them.
Research shows that some people with pancreatitis can tolerate up to 30 to 40% of calories from fat when obtained from whole food sources or medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Others do better with much lower amounts of fat, such as 50 grams or less per day.
Spinach, blueberries, cherries and whole grains can protect digestion and fight free radicals that damage your organs.

If you crave something sweet, eat fruit instead of added sugar because people with pancreatitis have an increased risk of diabetes.
Consider cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and hummus, and fruits as your snacks because they are good for your glands.

Foods to limit include:
Red meat Organ meats Fried foods French fries Mayonnaise Margarine and butter Full-fat dairy Cakes and desserts with added sugar Sugar-sweetened beverages If you're trying to fight back If you have pancreatitis, avoid trans fatty acids in your diet.
Fried or heavily processed foods, such as fries and fast-food burgers, are some of the worst offenders. Organ meats, high-fat dairy, french fries and mayonnaise also top the list of foods to limit.
Cooked or deep-fried foods can trigger pancreatitis. You'll also want to cut back on the amount of refined flour found in cakes, pastries, and cookies. These foods can harm your digestive system by causing your insulin levels to spike.

If you are recovering from acute or chronic pancreatitis, avoid alcohol. If you smoke, you also need to quit. Focus on eating a low-fat diet that won't tax or inflame your pancreas.
You should also drink enough water. Always carry an electrolyte drink or a water bottle with you.
If you are hospitalized due to a flare-up of pancreatitis, your doctor will likely refer you to a dietitian to help you learn how to change your eating habits permanently.
People with chronic pancreatitis are often malnourished due to impaired pancreas function. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are most commonly deficient due to pancreatitis.

Always check with your doctor or dietitian before changing your eating habits when you have pancreatitis. Here are some tips they might recommend:
Eat six to eight small meals throughout the day to help recover from pancreatitis. This is easier on your digestive system than eating two or three large meals. Use MCTs as your main fat since this type of fat doesn't require pancreatic enzymes to digest. MCTs can be found in coconut and palm kernel oils available at most health food stores. Avoid eating too much fiber at once, as this can slow down digestion and lead to less-than-ideal absorption of nutrients from food. Fiber can also make your restriction enzyme intake less effective. Take a multivitamin supplement to make sure you're getting the nutrition you need.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the most common cause of chronic pancreatitis is excessive alcohol consumption.
Pancreatitis can also be hereditary or a symptom of an autoimmune reaction. In many cases of acute pancreatitis, the condition is triggered by a blocked bile duct or gallstone.
If your pancreas has been damaged by pancreatitis, changing your diet will help you feel better. But it may not be enough to fully restore the function of the pancreas.
Your doctor may prescribe a supplement or a synthesis of pancreatic enzymes for you to take with each meal.
If you still have pain from chronic pancreatitis, consider alternative therapy like yoga or acupuncture to complement your doctor's prescribed pancreatitis treatments.
Endoscopic ultrasound or surgery may be recommended as the next course of action if your pain persists.
If pancreatitis is not detected early and treated seriously, the disease will get worse and worse. Patients with severe pancreatitis will affect their lives and leave dangerous complications for health.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a prestigious facility that patients can trust to seek medical care. Vinmec with full equipment and modern technology, advanced examination and diagnosis techniques, always updated with the latest advances in medicine, especially the high professional level and rich experience of the medical staff will help accurately diagnose pancreatitis, so that there are specific treatment advice for each case to achieve the highest efficiency.

Reference sources: healthline.com, update.com