Diet for pancreatitis is an important factor in the success of treatment; therefore, adherence to dietary restrictions allows you to lead a full life and reduce the likelihood of relapse.
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the tissue of the pancreas, which is accompanied by impaired secretion of digestive enzymes, severe pain, changes in stool, and vomiting. This leads to a pathological metabolic disorder and can lead to the development of diabetes mellitus. The main factors in the appearance of pancreatitis are: overeating, abuse of fatty foods and alcohol.
It is necessary to follow a diet for pancreatitis for a long time. Acute inflammation requires restricting the diet for 6-9 months, whereas in chronic pancreatitis, the diets are followed for several years or for life.
Power functions
The approaches to prescribing a diet for pancreatitis depend on whether the inflammation is acute or chronic. Doctors note the positive effect of diet on pancreatitis. It allows you to quickly overcome acute inflammation, avoid complications and prolong the period of remission in a chronic process.
Diet characteristics:
- Within 2-3 days after an acute attack of pancreatitis, you should completely refuse food. Thus, rest is provided for the pancreas. Therapeutic fasting involves the use of liquid in the form of non-carbonated alkaline mineral waters, weakly brewed tea or rosehip infusion, one glass 5-6 times a day.
- On the fourth day after the start of the therapeutic fast, the gradual introduction of solid foods into the diet begins. As a general rule, these are low-calorie meals without salt, which gradually increase the secretion of gastric juice.
- With pancreatitis, the way you prepare food is important. Steaming is recommended, since foods prepared in this way retain all the necessary substances and do not harm the digestive tract.
- Food should not be cooled or heated, the optimum temperature is close to body temperature. In this case, the food must be grated or semi-liquid.
- The diet for pancreatitis limits the consumption of even diet foods. They eat small portions at least five times throughout the day.
The diet excludes foods:
- fatty;
- fried;
- hot sauces and spices;
- sour juices;
- canned food, pickles;
- smoked meats;
- confectionery;
- cocoa, chocolate;
- alcohol.
The energy value of such foods should be at the level of 2500 kcal.
The downside of such a diet is an acute shortage of raw plant foods. Some components must be compensated by taking complex vitamins and food supplements.
Diet for acute pancreatitis
Diet in the treatment of pancreatitis is an integral part of therapy. During an exacerbation, an attack is accompanied by severe pain in the stomach and lack of appetite, therefore, the first days of medical fasting do not cause the patient suffering.
Also, low-calorie diet foods are gradually introduced into the diet. It can be dry raw bread, red fruit and jelly drinks, viscous decoctions of oats and rice, liquid mashed potatoes without oil. At this time, it is recommended to exclude products that contribute to the formation of gases.
On day 6-7, protein dishes are gradually introduced: steamed meat, mashed potatoes or vegetable puddings, steamed protein omelette.
It should be noted that the diet requires long-term adherence to dietary restrictions. For 6-9 months, you must strictly follow your rules and monitor your diet on a daily basis.
The course of the disease may have certain characteristics, therefore the gastroenterologist and nutritionist are involved in the appointment of a diet. The specialists of this profile determine what can be ingested in a diet for pancreatitis for each specific patient, taking into account the comorbidities.
After the acute period of the disease has passed, you can significantly diversify your menu with simple and healthy products. It should be noted that the number of meals should be at least four, while the volume of drunk liquid is about 1. 5 liters per day.
Sample menu:
- Breakfast: semolina porridge (rice) cooked in water; Apple; green tea weakly brewed with a tablespoon of honey.
- Second breakfast: steamed chicken breast cutlets; mashed carrots; a decoction of rosehip berries.
- Lunch: vegetable broth with meat or fish; mashed potatoes; white bread croutons; baked apple without skin.
- Afternoon snack: low-fat cottage cheese; green tea with a tablespoon of honey.
- Cena>: steamed protein omelette with three chicken eggs; diet vegetable mashed potatoes; white bread croutons.
- Before going to bed: curdled milk.
With a diet, the symptoms and treatment of pancreatitis are noticeably relieved. Such nutrition saves the pancreas and gradually normalizes its work. The well-being of the patient will depend on how strictly he adheres to the diet. Any alteration in the diet is immediately reflected in the digestive function.
Diet for chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis most often develops in the context of an acute condition, but it can also occur as a primary disease in cases where it is a complication of other diseases.
Diet and the treatment of pancreatitis are two inseparable concepts. Even during remission, dietary guidelines should be followed.
Dietary rules for chronic pancreatitis:
- The caloric content of food during this period should be consistent with daily physical activity.
- Much attention is paid to the protein content in food. Turkey, chicken, rabbit, beef, lean pork, and fish are allowed.
- It is not allowed to include lamb, fatty pork, goose, duck and game dishes in the diet.
- Heat treatment of food does not allow frying, baking in the oven, stewing. Food should be cooked in a water bath or boiled.
- Cheese, previously prohibited in the aggravation stage, is now allowed in small quantities, but it is advisable to replace milk with fermented milk products.
- The diet should include vegetable proteins, which are represented by yesterday's cereals and bread, while it is necessary to take into account that legumes should be completely excluded during a diet with pancreatitis.
- The total amount of carbohydrates should not exceed 350 g per day. They are found in pasta, cereals, honey, preserves and syrups.
An approximate diet menu for chronic pancreatitis:
- Breakfast: boiled rabbit meat; rice porridge.
- Late breakfast: low-fat cottage cheese; baked apples without honey.
- Lunch: buckwheat soup; boiled or steamed fish with vegetables; compote of dried fruits.
- Snack: steamed cutlets with vegetable sauce.
- Dinner: veal, curd pudding without sugar; clear tea.
- Before bedtime: kefir.
The meals are divided and in small portions. Food should be served hot at intervals of about three hours.
Salt and spices cause increased secretion of enzymes in the digestive tract, so their quantity should be kept to a minimum. Also, acidic, smoked foods, baked goods and sour cream, as well as chocolate, have a similar effect. Sugary foods can cause complications such as diabetes mellitus, which is why their content in the diet is reduced by 90%.