Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It produces enzymes that are involved in the breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It also produces insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. Errors in nutrition, cravings for spicy and fatty foods, smoking and alcohol abuse, uncontrolled drug intake - all these factors provoke the development of pancreatitis.
How to recognize pancreatitis and what diet patients should follow, we will tell in this article.
How do you know if you have pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Its symptoms vary according to the form.
The acute form is expressed by severe pain in the waist in the upper abdomen. Pain syndrome occurs when you have ingested something fatty or drunk alcohol. Nausea and vomiting begin, problems with stool.
In chronic pancreatitis, the pain is localized in the upper part of the peritoneum, radiating to the back, the left side of the chest and the lower abdomen. Discomfort is also observed after consuming fatty and heavy foods, alcohol, as well as against the background of frequent stress.
Signs of acute pancreatitis:
- Severe and persistent pain around.
- Increased body temperature
- Sudden increases in blood pressure.
- Pale or yellow complexion
- Severe vomiting that does not relieve.
- Constipation, flatulence, salivation.
Signs of chronic pancreatitis:
- Pain in the abdomen after eating. Local or enveloping, extending towards the back.
- Heat causes stomach pain, while cold is a relief.
- The patient adopts a forced position: the knee-elbow position or a sitting position with a forward bend.
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Weightloss.
It doesn't matter what type of illness you have: acute or chronic. You must be selective about the foods you eat and stick to your diet.
What diet is indicated for pancreatitis?
For the prevention of exacerbations of pancreatitis, the following dietary modifications are recommended:
- Meals 4-5 times a day with an even distribution of fat-containing foods in the diet;
- refusal to overeat;
- balance diet;
- limit saturated fat and cholesterol;
- the inclusion in the diet of a sufficient amount of a variety of vegetable fiber: cereals, vegetables and fruits;
- eat a variety of foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol (unrefined vegetable fats are somewhat limited in only overweight people).
What products are allowed
It is a mistake to think that pancreatitis patients are "deprived" of tasty and varied foods. In fact, the list of allowed foods is quite extensive.
So, you can eat:
- Dry white bread, cookies.
- Vegetable soups with noodles, semolina, oatmeal.
- Lean meats
- Lean fish, aspic.
- Porridge (buckwheat (pureed), oats, semolina, rice).
- Cottage cheese, cereal puddings and stews.
- Fermented milk and dairy products that do not exceed 2% fat.
- Eggs.
- Vegetables.
- Ripe, non-acidic varieties of fruits and berries.
- Butter and vegetable oil.
- Weak tea, still mineral water, rosehip broth, juices diluted with water in a ratio of 50 to 50).
Food must be cleaned, boiled, steamed. You cannot eat hot and cold food. The optimal temperature is 30-50 ° C. Do not overeat, eat fractionally.
What foods should be discarded?
An exacerbation occurs when nutrition and intake are disturbed:
- greasy, fried food,
- hot spices,
- a lot of raw vegetables, fruits,
- muffins and sweets (cakes, pies, pastries),
- alcohol,
- carbonated drinks,
- whole milk
Sample Menu for Pancreatitis Patients
- Breakfast: Milk porridge / milk soup with noodles / boiled noodles. Milk tea. Dry bread.
- Dinner: Vegetable puree soup, boiled rice / mashed potatoes, boiled fish / meat. Tea.
- Afternoon snack: Curd casserole, jelly / jelly.
- Dinner: vegetable salad with olive oil, boiled meat / fish, jelly.
Snacks are needed. Eat baked apples, low-fat cottage cheese, and crackers between meals.
Keep in mind that medication and diet are equally important. Nutrition therapy returns the pancreas to normal, preventing an exacerbation of the disease. In this case, do not undergo self-treatment! If you have symptoms of pancreatitis, see your doctor.