Diet for pancreatitis: what is possible and what is not possible

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. One of the most important factors in treatment is proper nutrition. Even the best medicines will not be effective if the patient continues to overload the gland with fatty or spicy foods.

The goal of the diet is to give the pancreas a ‘rest’, reduce enzyme secretion and avoid provoking an exacerbation.

Basic principles of the pancreatitis diet

• Eat small meals 5-6 times a day
• Do not overeat — eat small portions
• Exclusion of harmful foods: fried, fatty, spicy, smoked
• Mandatory — heat treatment: boiled, stewed, steamed
• No cold or excessively hot dishes — they irritate the stomach and gland

What you are allowed to eat:

Oatmeal, rice, buckwheat porridge cooked in water

Potato, carrot, and zucchini puree

Pureed soups without roasting

Boiled meat (turkey, skinless chicken, veal)

Steamed lean fish (pollock, hake)

Low-fat cottage cheese

White bread crackers

Compotes, fruit drinks, chamomile tea

What is strictly prohibited:

Alcohol, coffee, carbonated drinks

Fatty foods, sausages, frankfurters

Garlic, onions, radishes, cabbage

Fresh pastries, chocolate, cakes

Hot spices, mayonnaise, ketchup

Legumes and mushrooms

Coarse vegetables and fruits (especially fresh apples, grapes, plums)

Interesting facts about the pancreatitis diet:

• Even ‘healthy’ foods can be harmful — for example, yoghurt with sugar or homemade yeast bread.
• Pancreatitis is often accompanied by milk intolerance — but fermented milk products are well tolerated.
• Taking enzyme tablets does not mean that you can eat everything — a diet is still mandatory.

When to see a doctor?

• If you have pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back
• If you experience nausea or vomiting after eating
• If you have loose stools, bloating, or loss of appetite
• In case of frequent exacerbations of chronic pancreatitis

What tests and examinations are needed:

Consultation with a gastroenterologist

Blood and urine tests, amylase, lipase, ultrasound

Digestive system check-up

Zdravo clinic doctors’ page

Conclusion

A diet for pancreatitis is not a temporary restriction, but a way of eating that will help keep your pancreas healthy. Self-medication is dangerous — it is better to contact Zdravo to select an individual menu and undergo a full examination.