Pancreatitis is a painful condition that often strikes without warning and can land you in the hospital. You will likely have multiple blood tests, and your doctor will not allow you to eat until your lab work comes back normal. During this time, you will get your nutrition through an intravenous line. When you are allowed to eat again, stay away from high-fat foods, alcohol and anything that may trigger symptoms. Check with your doctor to make sure you are following an appropriate diet after your course with pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis Explained
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas performs several functions in the body, including supplying insulin to the bloodstream to lower blood sugar and providing enzymes to the intestines to help digest foods. Some symptoms are mild to severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, sweating, tender stomach, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing and oily bowel movements in chronic pancreatitis. The most common causes of this condition are chronic alcoholism and gallstones, although medications, infections and high levels of fats in the blood can also cause it. Treatment includes resting the pancreas by not eating, possible removal of the gallbladder if it is at fault, medications, surgery if needed and bedrest.
Post-Pancreatitis Diet
After your doctor determines that your blood levels have returned to normal and the inflammation has decreased, you can start eating foods again. There are three phases to the diet, and you should stay at each phase for two to four days. Do not advance to a phase if you have nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain, and let your doctor know that you are not tolerating foods. In the first phase, eat foods that are easily digestible, such as crackers, toast, bananas, plain rice, cream of wheat and gelatin. Eat these in six to eight small meals per day. In phase two, advance to juices, milk, lean meats, pasta, toast with peanut butter, cereal, cottage cheese and non-fried eggs. In the third phase, gradually add back other foods as tolerated.
Preventing Pancreatitis
If you have chronic or recurring pancreatitis, you can take some dietary considerations to prevent flare-ups. Alcohol is a primary causative factor in pancreatitis, and you should take it out of your diet completely. Nicotine can also stimulate the pancreas, so quit smoking and chewing tobacco. Limit your diet to 30 grams of fat per day, according to The Ohio State University Medical Center. Eat foods high in carbohydrates and protein to give your pancreas a rest. Fatty foods stimulate the organ, so stay away from all high-fat foods. Try to eat frequent, small meals, and limit caffeine and spicy foods.
Other Nutritional Considerations
Adding supplements or focusing on antioxidants may also help with pancreatitis. Ask your doctor if you suspect you might have a food allergy, such as dairy, wheat, soy, gluten or other food additive. Sometimes these can cause symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Concentrate on eating foods high in the B-vitamins, such as whole grains and dark green leafy vegetables. Eat antioxidant-rich foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, and stay away from refined foods, such as white bread and sugar. Limit trans fats found in fast foods and fried foods, and eat more lean meats and cold-water fish instead of red meat. Drink plain, filtered water and exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days per week.
