After pancreatitis, your doctor will likely recommend a low-fat, high-protein diet consisting of nutrient-dense, easily digestible whole foods. It is important to work with your healthcare team to create a personalized diet plan.
Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits. These are high in nutrition and low in fat. Eat whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta. Avoid breads that have been fried or deep-fried, like bannock or doughnuts, or breads that have a high fat content, like croissants.
If you have mild acute pancreatitis but aren't feeling or being sick and don't have tummy pain, you can usually eat normally. But if your condition is more severe, you may be advised not to eat solid foods for a few days or longer. This is because trying to digest solid food could put too much strain on your pancreas.
Foods to Eat on a Pancreatitis Diet
This is even true for people who have a higher risk of complications. It's often possible to start eating solid foods after only one to two days. But doctors recommend starting off with food that can be easily digested and is low in fat.
It doesn't go away and gets worse over time. It happens when the injury or damage to your pancreas never stops. Chronic pancreatitis will eventually do lasting damage to your pancreas, although it may take many years.
Meal Plan for Pancreatitis
Foods good for pancreatitis
Most surgeons adhere to the 'Rule of 6' for the management of pancreatic pseudocysts (that is cysts >6 cm or duration >6 weeks).
The best food choices for those suffering from chronic pancreatitis are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nonfat/low fat dairy, and lean cuts of meat. Healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds, may be consumed with careful portion control.
Soup Recipes for Pancreatitis
Choose lean protein foods. These include poultry such as chicken and turkey without skin, lean meat, fish, egg whites, tofu, and beans. Cut off all fat you can see. Avoid fish canned in oil, such as tuna or sardines in oil.
Acute pancreatitis can sometimes be life threatening. If diagnostic tests show that the condition is severe, you may be admitted to the intensive care unit.
How can you care for yourself at home?
Yogurt contains active cultures that protect the pancreas and lower the risk of pancreatic cancer. Choose Greek yogurt to keep fat and sugar content low, while maintaining high protein intake.
Sometimes it is best to rest the pancreas and limit your food intake. If you are experiencing a flare, your doctor may even recommend no food for a day or two. A diet of clear liquids can be followed when pain is severe. Clear liquids include apple, cranberry, and white grape juice, gelatin, and broth.
If you have chronic pancreatitis, one of the best things you can do to lessen symptoms and prevent acute episodes is to abstain from alcohol. Alcohol abuse is one of the most common causes of pancreatitis, and abstaining prevents further damage to the pancreas.
Most people with acute pancreatitis improve within a week and are well enough to leave hospital after 5 to 10 days. However, recovery takes longer in severe cases, as complications that require additional treatment may develop. Read more about treating acute pancreatitis.
Severe acute pancreatitis is defined by the presence of persistent organ failure lasting more than 48 hours, pancreatic or peripancreatic necrosis, or systemic complications. These cases typically require intensive care unit management.
Your diet should also include wholegrains – found in wholemeal bread, oats and brown rice. This helps lower the amount of cholesterol in your body. Because there seems to be a link between having high cholesterol and developing gallstones, you should avoid eating too many fatty foods with a high cholesterol content.
If you're craving something sweet, reach for fruit instead of added sugars since those with pancreatitis are at high risk for diabetes. Consider cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and hummus, and fruit as snack food go-tos. Your pancreas will thank you.
Here are some pancreatitis-friendly options:
“You can include oats and barley in your pancreatitis diet, says Faycurry, RD. “Both types of grains are rich in dietary fiber and can be beneficial for individuals with pancreatitis. However, be mindful of how you cook them and avoid adding butter, cream, oil, or whole-fat milk when cooking them.
So what should acute pancreatitis patients eat? Whatever they think they can handle, she says. Always, starting with water is the way to go. Then for some, chicken noodle soup may sound good – and for others, perhaps popsicles.