Diet for pancreatitis is a major factor in successful treatment, therefore, adherence to dietary restrictions makes it possible to lead a fulfilling 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 cause the development of diabetes mellitus. The main factors in the onset 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, while in chronic pancreatitis, diets are adhered to for several years or for life.
Power features
The approaches to prescribing a diet for pancreatitis depend on whether the inflammation is in an acute or chronic form. 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.
Features of the diet:
- Within 2-3 days after an acute attack of pancreatitis, you must 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 therapeutic fasting, the gradual introduction of solid foods into the diet begins. As a 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. Steam cooking is recommended, since food prepared in this way retains all the necessary substances and does not harm the digestive tract.
- Food should not be chilled or hot, the optimal temperature is close to body temperature. In this case, the food should be grated or semi-liquid.
- Diet for pancreatitis limits the consumption of even diet food. They eat small portions at least five times during the day.
The diet excludes foods:
- fatty;
- fried;
- hot sauces and spices;
- sour juices;
- canned foods, pickles;
- smoked meats;
- confectionery;
- cocoa, chocolate;
- alcohol.
The energy value of such food should be at the level of 2500 kcal.
The disadvantage of such a diet is an acute shortage of raw plant foods. Some components need to 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 a lack of appetite, therefore, the first few days of medical fasting do not cause suffering to the patient.
Further, dietary low-calorie foods are gradually introduced into the diet. It can be dried uncooked bread, berry fruit drinks and jelly, viscous decoctions of oatmeal and rice, liquid mashed potatoes without oil. At this time, it is recommended to exclude products that contribute to gas formation.
On the 6-7th day, protein dishes are gradually introduced: steamed meat, mashed potatoes or puddings from vegetables, steamed protein omelet.
It should be noted that the diet requires long-term adherence to dietary restrictions. For 6-9 months, you need to strictly follow its rules and monitor your diet daily.
The course of the disease can have certain characteristics, therefore, the gastroenterologist and nutritionist are engaged in the appointment of a diet. Specialists in this profile determine what can be eaten on a diet for pancreatitis for each specific patient, taking into account the comorbidities.
After the acute period of the disease has subsided, 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 liquid drunk is about 1. 5 liters per day.
Sample menu:
- Breakfast: semolina (rice) porridge cooked in water; Apple; weakly brewed green tea with one spoonful of honey.
- Second breakfast: steamed chicken breast cutlets; carrot puree; a decoction of rosehip berries.
- Lunch: vegetable broth with beef or fish; mashed potatoes; white bread crouton; baked apple without the skin.
- Afternoon snack: low-fat cottage cheese; green tea with a spoonful of honey.
- Dinner>: steamed protein omelet from three chicken eggs; mashed potatoes from dietary vegetables; white bread crouton.
- Before going to bed: curdled milk.
With a diet, the symptoms and treatment of pancreatitis are noticeably relieved. Such nutrition spares the pancreas and gradually normalizes its work. The patient's well-being will depend on how strictly he adheres to the diet. Any disturbance in the diet is immediately reflected in the digestive function.
Diet for chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis most often develops against the background 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 treatment for pancreatitis are two inseparable concepts. Even during remission, dietary guidelines should be adhered to.
Diet rules for chronic pancreatitis:
- The calorie content of food during this period should be commensurate 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 in the diet dishes from lamb, fatty pork, goose, duck, as well as game.
- Heat treatment of food does not allow frying, baking in the oven, stewing. Food must be cooked in a double boiler or boiled.
- Cheese, previously forbidden at the stage of aggravation, 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 cereals and yesterday's 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 porrige.
- Late breakfast: low-fat cottage cheese; apples baked without honey.
- Lunch: buckwheat soup; boiled or steamed fish with vegetables; dried fruits compote.
- Afternoon snack: steamed cutlets with vegetable sauce.
- Dinner: veal, unsweetened curd pudding; weak tea.
- Before going to bed: kefir.
Meals are fractional and in small portions. Food should be served warm at intervals of about three hours.
Salt and spices cause increased secretion of enzymes in the digestive tract, so their amount should be kept to a minimum. In addition, sour, smoked foods, baked goods and sour cream, as well as chocolate, have a similar effect. Sugary foods can cause complications such as diabetes mellitus, so their content in the diet is reduced by 90%.