Both the pancreas and gallbladder help you digest fat in food. Your pancreas makes the enzymes that help metabolize fats, and the gallbladder stores the bile necessary for fat digestion. If you have pancreatitis and recently had your gallbladder removed, your doctor may recommend that you follow a low-fat diet to help improve digestion and prevent pain and diarrhea associated with fat malabsorption.
Diet Guidelines
The amount of fat you can include in your diet depends on your tolerance, and your doctor or dietitian can help you determine your needs. In general, a low-fat diet for pancreatitis and gallbladder removal should limit total fat to 40 to 60 g a day. Reading food labels and avoiding foods high in fat, such as fried foods, can help you limit your intake. To meet your nutrient needs, the diet includes a variety of foods from all of the food groups.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables make a healthy addition to your low-fat diet, and intake is not restricted as long as you do not add any high-fat sauces or condiments. In addition to being naturally fat-free, fruits and vegetables are also loaded with antioxidants that may help alleviate some of the pain associated with pancreatitis, advises the University or Maryland Medical Center. Healthy choices include apricots, cantaloupe, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, apples, dried fruit, 100 percent fruit juice, broccoli, kale, spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes and peppers.
Grains
Grains are a good source of calories, B vitamins, iron and selenium, all important nutrients to that can help improve your pancreatitis. Making most of your grain choices whole grain will maximize your nutrient intake. Try to include at least four servings of grains a day. Healthy choices include whole-grain cereals, whole-wheat bread, brown rice, pasta, quinoa, air-popped popcorn and fat-free crackers.
Meat and Beans
Meat and beans are a good source of protein and iron, but you need to be careful about the types of meats you include in your diet to limit your fat intake. Include leaner cuts, such as white meat poultry and fish. Pork and beef tenderloin are also leaner cuts of meat, but the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends you limit your intake of red meat when you have pancreatitis. Beans are naturally low in fat and a good source of B vitamins and fiber, and make a healthy alternative to meat. Aim for 5 to 6 oz. of meat or beans a day, where 1/4 cup of cooked beans equals 1 oz. of meat.
Dairy Foods
Dairy foods supply your body with protein and calcium. You should include low-fat or nonfat dairy foods to limit your fat intake. Good choices include skim milk, 1 percent fat milk, cheese with less than 3 g of fat per serving and nonfat yogurt. Include two servings of dairy foods on your diet a day.
Fats and Oils
Limit your intake of added fats on your diet plan to no more than three servings a day to prevent pain and malabsorption. For pancreas health, you should make most of your fat choices healthy oils, such as olive or canola oil, with one serving equal to 1 tsp. Nuts and seeds also make healthy fat choices, but you need to limit your serving size to 1 tsp. of nut butter, six almonds, four walnut halves or 20 peanuts.
References
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan, Sylvia Escott-Stump; 1996
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Pancreatitis
- Jackson-Siegelbaum Gastroenterology; Low-Fat Diet; Frank W. Jackson
