Diet Plan For Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis refers to a serious condition where inflammation of the pancreas occurs. Though symptoms of pancreatitis vary from one person to another, in general it includes sweating, fever, rapid heartbeat vomiting, and mild or moderate pain in the upper stomach. Pancreatitis can be of two types – chronic and sudden. While dietary changes can help one to control sudden pancreatitis, in case of chronic pancreatitis you may have to opt for long-term changes.

If you are suffering from sudden pancreatitis and want to know about diet tips that would help you to control it, here are some ideas. However, for staying on the safe side, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor before making any dietary changes.

Various Diet Plans For Pancreatitis

Food Allergies

Sometimes, we ourselves may not be aware of our food allergies. As a result, we consume foods that we are allergic to and consequently, suffer from inflammation.

To avoid the risk of contracting pancreatitis, opt for an allergy test. In case the test reveals that you are allergic to certain types of foods, eliminate them from diet immediately.  Often people suffering from pancreatitis are found to be allergic towards soy, eggs, dairy and gluten.

Healthy And Low Fat Diet

A good strategy for people suffering from pancreatitis would be to eat a diet that is loaded with fresh vegetables, fruits, chicken or fish and whole wheat foods (only if you are not allergic to them).

Avoid junk foods as much as possible and instead, switch to natural foods. Also, ensure that you eat maximum 20 grams fat because if you follow a high fat diet, chances are high that it would put additional strain on the pancreas, thus worsening the situation even more. So, stick to a low fat diet plan.

Foods Rich In Antioxidants

For reducing the symptoms of pancreatitis, including foods that are rich in antioxidants in your eating plan can be a good idea.

Examples of such foods include blueberries, oranges, plums, strawberries, raspberries, onions, corn, eggplant, spinach, and kale. For best nutrition, eat a different fruit or vegetable each day.

Eat Frequent, Small Meals

If you are suffering from sudden pancreatitis, eating small but regular meals throughout the day will be a good idea. This is because eating throughout the day won’t put any strain on the pancreas, thus helping you to avoid symptoms of pancreatitis such as nausea or vomiting. Eating large meals, on the other hand, can put unwanted load on the pancreas and intensify the symptoms.

Watch Out What You Drink

For a patient of pancreatitis, drinking loads of water is important. Ideally, you should drink 8-9 glasses of water every day. In addition, if you want, you can also opt for smoothies, low calorie fruit juices and vegetable juices. No matter how much you feel tempted, do not drink alcohol because drinking alcohol is a major cause of pancreatitis.

 In addition to these dietary changes, you may have to take any supplement for controlling pancreatitis. However, do not take these supplements on your own. It is always better to consult a doctor regarding this issue.

Photo Credit : http://www.omsj.org/drugs/LipidElevations.htm