The diet of pancreatitis is critical to the success of treatment as it aims to prevent poor absorption of nutrients, reduce indigestion and prevent risk factors to prevent the treatment of malnutrition, so it is important to follow some recommendations such as:
The pancreatitis diet aims to follow a low-fat diet that helps inhibit the production of pancreatic enzymes, thus reducing symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, in addition to this, it is also important to monitor the consumption of foods high in sugar or high glycemic index, which can cause an increase in blood sugar during pancreatitis. Check the glycemic index of certain foods.
- To aid digestion.
- Your doctor may recommend taking an enzyme-like medication produced by pancreatin called the pancreas.
- Which should be ingested before each main food to help digest and absorb food.
The diet for pancreatitis will depend on its type, since during the first 48 hours it is important to keep the pancreas at rest to prevent the disease from complicate, below is explained in more detail how to follow a diet for each situation :
During an acute pancreatitis attack, feeding is usually interrupted for up to 48 hours, with intravenous hydration to stabilize the person, once stabilized and depending on the severity, your doctor may indicate the location of a tube that runs from your nose. to the gut to allow a enteral diet with special nutritional supplements that are introduced by the nasoenteric tube. the intensity of keeping the pancreas at rest but in turn stimulating the intestine. Find out what enteral nutrition is all about.
Depending on the evolution, once the individual is in the current pain, there will be a decrease in blood values of pancreatic enzymes and the risk of complications, the oral diet will begin with a diet of clear, low-fat fluids depending on the patient’s diet. tolerance, in some cases starting the diet with approved and glued fruit juices, coconut water and a well-diluted vegetable broth, in addition the doctor will be able to take supplements with digestive enzymes that facilitate the digestion of food, thus helping the pancreas to function better.
Once clear liquids are tolerated, the diet will evolve to a soft, solid consistency with easy-to-digest, low-fat foods. During the soft consistency phase, soups should be crushed, you can also eat mashed potatoes or butter in the pot, fish should be cooked and fish and fish discarded.
It is important that food is prepared with natural aliens, such as parsley, oregano, coriander, chives and basil, as well as steamed on the plate.
In chronic pancreatitis, nutritional treatment aims to prevent weight loss and muscle loss; Stimulating appetite Reduce symptoms such as pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea Recover the patient from poor absorption of nutrients (proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals) and control blood sugar levels.
Because of this situation, the diet should be supplemented with vitamins A, D, E and K, which are affected by malabsorption by being fat-soluble vitamins, as well as vitamin B12 and mineral B and minerals such as zinc, calcium and magnesium. In addition, it is important to provide pancreatic enzymes orally to help properly digest and absorb food.
It is also important to avoid hearty meals as it can be eaten in a small corner and several times a day (3 main meals and 3 snacks), consume between 40 to 60 g of fats a day and avoid foods high in sugar to help control them. lucosa, in case it is high. Also, if you need to avoid drinking alcohol, you should have an adequate intake of protein and be low in fiber.
It is important that the person with chronic pancreatitis attends a nutritionist, so that a nutritional plan can be designed that meets their needs and prevents weight loss and improves nutrient absorption, preventing the individual from reaching a state of malnutrition.
After an acute pancreatitis attack or a person with chronic pancreatitis, if you prefer the following foods:
This diet should be maintained in people with chronic pancreatitis, in case of an episode of acute pancreatitis should be maintained for approximately 2 weeks, depending on the tolerance and evolution of the individual.
To prevent new pancreatitis seizures, you should avoid
It is important that each time a food is consumed it is checked on the nutritional label if the product contains saturated or hydrogenated fats to avoid consumption, always taking into account the total amount of fat it receives during the day and never exceeding the dietary recommendation. .
The following table continues a 3-day menu of a pancreatitis diet:
The supervision of a nutritionist for the assessment of the individual and the elaboration of a nutritional plan is important according to their needs, in order to avoid nutritional deficiencies that could lead to malnutrition and other complications.
For the healing of acute and chronic pancreatitis, it is important to stay well hydrated and eat a balanced and balanced diet, avoiding the consumption of foods high in fat, fried and processed because they are pro-inflammatory and prevent the recovery of the pancreas. .
In addition, alcoholic beverages and cigarettes should be avoided, it may also be necessary to visit a nutritionist to tell you how to change your eating habits permanently and, in the case of chronic pancreatitis, improve nutritional monitoring to prevent deficit malnutrition.
Learn more about treating pancreatitis.