The pancreas controls the way the body processes sugar. Along with this, it helps in digesting food by releasing enzymes, but when there is inflammation in the pancreas, it is unable to do its job. It is not able to break down the fat and absorb the nutrition from the food. This condition is called pancreatitis. Since the pancreas is related to our digestive process, whatever we eat affects it. In the case of pancreatitis, it is necessary to follow the pancreatitis diet so that the pancreas can be healed and the condition can be prevented from becoming serious. In this article, we are explaining in detail about Pancreatitis Diet.

Pancreatitis Diet

In chronic pancreatitis, the body is unable to produce enough digestive enzymes that absorb nutrition from food. If this condition persists for a long time, the patient may become malnourished and may lose a lot of weight. A pancreatitis diet can help in fighting this condition. Diet and lifestyle changes have benefits when you have mild pancreatitis. In moderate or severe cases, it is necessary to take other precautions along with only a pancreatitis diet. It is important to include the following things in the pancreatitis diet.

Pancreatitis diet: What to Include

• To keep the pancreas healthy, such things should be consumed which are high in protein and contain antioxidants.
• Also, eat such things in which animal fat is low.
• Use whole grains, lean meats, beans, soups, and pulses.
• Almond milk can be used as a dairy alternative. The pancreas will not have to work very hard for their digestion.
• Antioxidant-rich foods such as green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, red berries, blueberries, sweet potatoes, grapes, carrots, walnuts, and pomegranates are also beneficial, but avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, dried fruits and seeds Eat in small quantities.
• If there is a craving for sweet food, instead of eating foods containing added sugar in the pancreatitis diet, eat fruits because the risk of developing diabetes is very high in patients with pancreatitis.
• Include lettuce like tomato, cucumber in the Pancreatitis Diet. It will prove to be very beneficial for pancreas healing.

The use of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in the pancreatitis diet works to reduce cholesterol intake as well as increase fiber intake. This reduces the risk of developing gallstones and triglycerides that cause acute pancreatitis. Along with this, antioxidants help in reducing inflammation by fighting free radicals.

Pancreatitis Diet: What to Avoid

If you are facing pancreatitis, it is important to avoid fried and full-fat foods and foods that have high amounts of sugar. Don’t eat them Eliminate the following food items from your diet.

• Red Meat
• French Fries
• Potato chips
• Mayonnaise and Butter
• Fatty Dairy Products
• Pastries
• sweet and carbonated drinks
• Do not consume trans fatty acids in pancreatitis. Avoid oil-fried and processed foods such as buggers.

Our pancreas processes all the fat we eat. So if you consume more fat then the pancreas will have to work more. High-fat foods with sugar also work to increase triglyceride levels, which works to increase the amount of fat in the blood, which increases the risk of acute pancreatitis.

How to manage Pancreatitis?

Use Enzyme supplements

If enzyme supplements are prescribed, take them daily without any gap. When food reaches the small intestine, the healthy pancreas is stimulated to release pancreatic enzymes. These enzymes bind with bile and break down food in the small intestine. Since your pancreas isn’t working properly, you may not be getting the pancreatic enzymes you need to properly digest your food. In this case, taking enzyme supplements can help in digesting food. It improves symptoms of steatorrhea (excess fat in stool, malnutrition of fat). Plus it will improve your ability to eat better, reducing the risk of malnutrition.

Minimize the consumption of alcohol 

Apart from the Pancreatitis Diet, to get relief from Pancreatitis, you also have to avoid alcohol consumption. Often the cause of pancreatitis is excessive consumption of alcohol. So avoid it completely. Even if you have taken treatment and the pancreas has become normal, you should still consume alcohol in moderation. In cases of chronic pancreatitis, inflammation and malnutrition continue and gradually worsen the patient’s digestive function and insulin function. Therefore it would be unwise to use alcohol.

Quit smoking

People with pancreatitis should avoid smoking, as it increases the risk of pancreatic cancer. Smoking is not good for overall health anyway, but if you are facing pancreatitis then it is best to quit. Along with this, keep the following things in mind.

• Take small meals instead of eating together. This will not put much load on the pancreas.
• Reduce the intake of fat to 30 grams a day
• Also, do not consume products containing saturated fat.
• drink enough water to keep hydrated

Pancreatitis Diet – FAQ

What Vitamins and Supplements Should I Use for Pancreatitis?

For this, the doctor prescribes artificial digestive enzymes, which help the body absorb the nutrients. Along with this, multivitamins also prove to be helpful in case of nutritional deficiency due to pancreatitis. Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, E as well as folic acid and zinc can prove useful during this time, but do not use any supplement without the advice of a doctor.

Can Banana be included in Pancreatitis Diet?

Ripe bananas can be included in the pancreatitis diet as they are easy to digest. In addition, it is a good source of fiber, which helps reduce the risk of gallstones as well as reducing high triglycerides. This helps in preventing acute pancreatitis.

Can egg be consumed in Pancreatitis Diet?

There is high fat in the yellow part of the egg, if there is pancreatitis, it can be difficult for the body to digest it. Instead of eating the whole egg, the white part of the egg can be eaten. Because it is low in fat as well as high in protein.

Hope you liked this article and got important information related to Pancreatitis Diet. For more information, please consult an expert or dietician.