Located behind the stomach, the pancreas is a gland that secretes enzymes to digest fats, carbohydrates and proteins. The pancreas also produces insulin, a hormone that is necessary for the regulation of blood glucose levels. A swollen pancreas occurs when the organ is inflamed or infected, as in pancreatitis. If you have pancreatitis, avoid eating certain foods, because a swollen pancreas does not release digestive enzymes and insulin as normal.
Fried and Fatty Foods
Do not eat fatty and fried foods when you have a swollen pancreas, as in pancreatitis. The infected gland lacks the pancreatic enzymes necessary to digest fatty foods, according to MayoClinic.com. If you consume fatty foods, you'll have foul-smelling, fatty stools, because the fat in your diet is not digested and absorbed. Examples of fatty foods to avoid include hot dogs, bacon, steak, red meat, pork, butter and margarine.
High-Calorie and High-Protein Diet
A major symptom of pancreatic inflammation is weight loss due to impaired digestion and absorption of the nutrients in foods because of the unavailability of pancreatic enzymes. If your pancreas is inflamed, consume high-calorie and high-protein foods to gain weight and prevent malnutrition. Examples of high-calorie foods include pasta, white rice, mashed potatoes, squash, croissants, oatmeal and cream of wheat. Examples of high-protein foods include fish, lean meat, soybeans and poultry. Your doctor may prescribe pancreatic enzymes that you should take with every meal to digest the food.
Fruits and Vegetables
Consume plenty of fruits and green, leafy vegetables when your pancreas is inflamed. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants and vitamins that protect the pancreas from damage and also reduce inflammation. Examples of green, leafy vegetables and fruits suitable during pancreatitis include broccoli, kale, spinach, oranges, kiwi fruits, pineapples and mangoes.
