Diet for pancreatitis

It is very important to follow a diet in case of pancreatitis, especially chronic pancreatitis.You need to eat as much protein as possible and at the same time reduce or completely eliminate fats and carbohydrates, especially sugar, which contains 99% carbohydrates, eliminate fried foods and all foods containing coarse fiber.It is advisable to start taking vitamins.You should eat little by little, but often, i.e. 5-6 times a day.

The pancreas is necessary for the normal functioning of the body: it is thanks to the digestive juice that it secretes into the lumen of the duodenum that the main components of food products - proteins, fats and carbohydrates - are broken down.As a result of the digestion process taking place in this part of the digestive tract, simpler compounds are obtained, which enter the general blood circulation after absorption through the intestinal mucosa.Thus, nutrients, amino acids and vitamins necessary for metabolic processes in cells and tissue building are formed from food products in the duodenum and reach all organs and systems of the body.

In addition, the pancreas produces insulin, necessary for normal carbohydrate metabolism, and lipokine, which prevents fatty degeneration of the liver.

The cause of pancreatitis is most often the abuse of fatty foods and alcoholic beverages.The disease can occur in acute and chronic forms.The diet for pancreatitis depends on the characteristics of the pathological process: the acute period requires a stricter attitude to the diet and foods consumed.

In case of acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas, cardinal digestive disorders occur, including:

• the pH of the small intestine shifts to the acidic side, which leads to heartburn in the patient, a burning sensation in the intestines;
• enzymes accumulate inside the gland and begin the process of self-digestion of the tissues, causing severe pain in the abdominal area, in the navel area, on the right;
• toxic substances accumulate, self-poisoning of the body occurs;
• Impaired insulin secretion causes diabetes.

The pathogenesis of pancreatitis develops depending on the type of acute or chronic inflammation.The principle of treatment of all forms of pancreatitis includes, according to indications:

• surgery;
• replacement drug treatment, taking into account the nature of the inflammation and the patient’s condition;
• therapeutic diet nutrition.

Proper nutrition during the rehabilitation stages of pancreatitis, especially after the patient's discharge from a medical institution, significantly increases the chances of complete cure or stabilization of the pathology.

It is at home that the principle of dietary nutrition is often violated.In the meantime, it is important to follow the immutable rules of a therapeutic diet.Additionally, the diets do not contain expensive products;their preparation is very simple: chop, boil, steam.

Diet for acute pancreatitis

During an exacerbation of an attack of pancreatitis, before the arrival of the ambulance, it is allowed to apply cold compresses to the painful area, usually in the epigastric region.During this period, you are allowed to drink mineral water (eg Borjomi, Narzan).The daily volume of fluid can be up to five to six glasses, with normal urination.Simple liquids suppress the secretion of pancreatic juice into the lumen of the duodenum, reduce pain and remove toxins from the body.

When a sick person is admitted to a medical institution, he will be prescribed a diet developed by a nutritionist.

To illustrate the principles of diets against pancreatitis, we have produced extracts from these documents.Numbered diets are not officially used in medical institutions.For pancreatitis, diets with the abbreviation – SG and IAP are recommended.

In case of acute pancreatitis, the patient is prescribed fasting for the first two days.It is allowed to drink only rosehip decoction or mineral water - one glass up to five times a day.On the third day, it is allowed to eat food, but only low-calorie foods, excluding fats, salt and dishes that increase the secretion of gastric juice and stimulate the process of gas formation in the intestines.

All subsequent days while the patient is in the hospital, he must strictly adhere to the diet indicated by the doctor!

Exacerbation stage of pancreatitis

A diet is recommended that takes into account the mechanical and biochemical sparing of the intestinal mucous membranes.

This meal includes:

• physiological level of the main components of food - proteins, lipids, carbohydrates;
• increased amount of fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins;
• low content of substances irritating to the intestinal mucosa, including food seasonings;
• It is prohibited to use hot, salty, spicy or smoked foods.

Cooking methods: steam heat treatment.Food is crushed, pureed, small pieces of prepared food are allowed.The temperature of food served on the table should not exceed 65⁰C. The recommended number of meals is five to six per day.

• The daily serving contains 90 grams of total protein and 40 grams of animal protein.
• Containing 80 grams of fat per day, 30 grams of vegetables.
• The carbohydrate content of a daily serving is 300 grams, which is 60 grams easily digestible.
• Energy value 2480 kilocalories.

After the symptoms of acute pancreatitis disappear, it is better to switch to soups, eat lean meats and fish, fresh cottage cheese, cereals and vegetables, as well as puddings.Products such as fruit juices, honey, jam, sugar should be reduced or eliminated from the diet.Before going to bed, laxative drinks are useful: kefir, yogurt, etc.It is important to completely avoid fatty foods, pastries, fried fish, lard, sour cream, salty and smoked foods, marinades, onions, garlic, radishes and alcoholic beverages.

The recommended diet for acute pancreatitis should be followed for six months to a year.Almost one hundred percent of the patient's health depends on how strictly he follows the doctor's instructions regarding the diet.It is important to remember that any dietary errors immediately affect the condition of the pancreas.

Chronic pancreatitis in remission

This option has a different approach to feeding the patient.During this period, nutritionists recommend including a high content of proteins and physiological fats in the diet.A more complex approach to carbohydrates.The diet during the remission phase suggests:

• proteins are allowed slightly above the physiological norm;
• standard for fats and complex carbohydrates in the form of cereals;
• Below the norm include sugar, honey, jam, cakes, sweet pastries in the diet, and table salt is also below the norm.

With this option, it is prohibited to eat substances that irritate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.These products include vinegar, alcohol and other substances used as seasonings.

Dishes are prepared boiled, stewed, baked or steamed.It is allowed to serve pureed and non-mashed foods.Feed at short intervals, in small portions 4 to 6 times a day.The dishes are served hot.Its temperature does not exceed sixty degrees Celsius.

• The daily serving contains 120 grams of total protein, including 50 grams of animal protein.
• The daily serving contains 90 grams of fat and 30 grams of vegetable fat.
• The daily serving contains 350 grams of carbohydrates, which is 40 grams of easily digestible carbohydrates.
• Energy value 2690 kilocalories.

Diet for chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis of the pancreas in most cases develops against the background of an acute illness.At the same time, it can also be primary if the patient suffers from liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, duodenal pathology, cholelithiasis, allergies, atherosclerosis and alcohol abuse.

Diet for chronic pancreatitis is considered the mainstay of treatment of this disease.During the remission phase, the number of calories in the daily diet should correspond to physical activity.It is recommended to eat up to six times a day, not forgetting about foods that have a laxative effect.

It is important to monitor your daily protein intake.Since it is necessary for the normal course of recovery processes, it should be consumed in sufficient quantities - up to 130 grams per day, and only 30% of protein should be of plant origin.

The diet of a patient suffering from chronic pancreatitis should include beef, veal, rabbit meat, chicken, turkey and lean pork.Prohibited: lamb, fatty pork, as well as goose, duck and game meat.If the patient is bothered by frequent pain, meat dishes are boiled, chopped or steamed, dishes should not be baked, fried or stewed.Low-fat fish is also prepared in the same way.

Low-fat meat and fish dishes help the patient avoid fatty liver degeneration, which is of great importance in chronic pancreatitis.Homemade cottage cheese has a similar property, but only if it is non-sour and fresh;Store-bought cottage cheese is not recommended.

Milk in its pure form is most often poorly tolerated in chronic pancreatitis, so it is better to add it to porridges, soups and jellies when preparing them.Even if milk is well tolerated by patients, it should not be abused, drinking no more than half a glass of lukewarm milk per day in small sips.Fresh fermented dairy products are much healthier for people suffering from pancreatitis.Cheese prohibited during an exacerbation of the disease in the remission phase can be consumed in small quantities provided you feel well.The cheese should be low in fat and soft.Whole eggs are excluded from the diet, while steamed protein omelets and dishes with beaten egg whites are allowed.Additionally, eggs may be present as an additive in other dishes.

Proteins of plant origin can be represented by rice, day-old bread, crackers, semolina porridge, oatmeal, buckwheat and pasta.Legumes should not be consumed during pancreatitis.

The fats contained in the diet should not exceed 70 grams, and 80% of them are animal fats;it is best to consume them with other dishes and food products.It is better to put oil in the finished dish immediately before eating;vegetable oil is only permitted if it is well tolerated.Cooking fats, margarine, beef and pork fat are prohibited.

The daily diet should contain no more than 350 grams of carbohydrates;they can be represented by sugar, honey, jam and syrup.Foods rich in carbohydrates include crackers, semolina, oatmeal, buckwheat, pearl barley, rice and pasta.Patients are also allowed to eat potatoes, carrots, beets, pumpkins, zucchini and squash.Vegetable dishes should be cooked by steam or in water;you can eat steamed vegetable pudding.Boiled vegetables are best eaten mashed with the addition of grain broth.

For fruit, non-acidic apple varieties are recommended: ripe fruit can be baked, pureed or prepared into compote;compote made from dried fruits is also useful.

Of all the sauces, béchamel made from milk and flour is considered the most optimal, since the flour is not sautéed and very little salt is added.

• Starters (cereal soups, vegetable soups, possibly with milk, lean meats, fish, as well as sweet fruit soups).
• Main dishes (boiled beef, poultry, fish, chicken egg omelette).
• Products containing cereals (porridge, pasta, white and black bread, vegetable oil).
• Dairy products, fermented milk products (2.5% milk, fermented milk products, butter).
• Berries, fruits, vegetables (ripe, sweet) raw, baked, carrots, beets - boiled, as a dressing for soups, as side dishes and independent dishes.
• Dessert (easily digestible carbohydrates for pancreatitis are given in a limited way, that is, below the physiological norm, jam, honey, sugar).
• Drinks (milk tea, vegetable juice, fruit juice).
• Specialty products (dry mixture of protein composites) Add fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins.

It is also important not to overeat, reducing the daily amount of food to 2.5 kilograms, taking into account the liquid you drink.Food is taken often and in small portions.

Compliance with all nutritional rules in case of pancreatitis can significantly increase the effectiveness of treatment in general.

Diet menu for pancreatitis

The number of products should be calculated based on the above regulatory documents.

Here is an approximate daily diet menu for pancreatitis:

First meal (7:00-7:30): boiled beef, oatmeal with milk, tea.

Second meal (9:00-9:30 a.m.) omelette, baked apple, rosehip decoction.

Third meal (12:00-13:00): vegetable soup, beef soufflé, pasta, sweet berry jelly, compote.

Fourth meal (4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.): cottage cheese and tea.

Fifth meal (8 p.m.-8:30 p.m.): fish soufflé, tea.

What should be excluded?

As you can see, in the diet for pancreatitis of the pancreas, all dishes are based on lean meat and fish - and only in the boiled version.Fried foods are prohibited.You can consume dairy products with a minimum percentage of fat.It is advisable to drink only natural juices, compotes and tea made from liquids.

The following should be completely excluded:

• All types of alcohol, sweetened drinks (grape juice) and carbonated drinks, cocoa, coffee
• Products of animal origin: offal, including the first category, pork and lard, fatty fish, all smoked, spicy, fried products, instant products based on extractive substances.
• Products of plant origin: legumes, mushrooms, spinach, sorrel, onions, baked goods made from butter dough.
• Desserts: chocolate, rich creams.
• Figs, grapes, bananas, dates.
• Confectionery, chocolate, ice cream, jam.
• Lard, cooking fat.
• Hard-boiled eggs, whole egg dishes, fried eggs

Answers to common questions

• Is cinnamon allowed?Cinnamon is a seasoning that can be purchased in a specialty store or supplied by distributors.What is presented in hypermarkets in packaged form is an inexpensive option called cassia.This “analogue” is associated with myths about its curative effects in type 2 diabetes. This is associated not with the work of the gland, but with the response of insulin receptors in the tissues.There is no official confirmation on this.As for real cinnamon, it promotes the production of digestive juice, which is undesirable during an exacerbation of the disease.
• Are by-products allowed?The heart, stomach and liver are not a contraindication for pancreatitis, provided they are properly prepared.These products can be eaten boiled or stewed.It is not recommended to eat them fried.
• Are processed cheese, bread, chocolates and coffee allowed?Processed cheese should be the simplest, that is, without any seasonings and additives.Bread can be included in the menu.Chocolate is allowed in small quantities.Coffee is not recommended at any stage of the disease.As an option, you can drink coffee with milk in small quantities.
• Are rice and olive oil allowed?Rice is allowed.Olive oil can be used to season salads and other dishes.
• Is brine allowed?During the remission phase, a small amount of brine will not harm, but you should not drink it in large quantities.
• Is salted lard allowed?Fat is hard on the liver and gallbladder.When using it, the pancreas suffers a second time.Outside the acute stage, the consumption of lard is allowed, but in small quantities (up to two slices per day, up to twice a week).