Daily Diet Plans for Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, an organ in the upper abdomen behind the stomach. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes as well as the hormone insulin, which controls the level of sugar in the blood. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the body can't absorb nutrients properly, leading to pain, nausea, fever and sweating. Severe attacks can be life-threatening, but mild attacks can get better by changing your diet.

Foods To Avoid

Avoid all alcohol. Stay away from fats, except for omega-3 fatty acids such as fish oil and flaxseed. Reduce all sugar products and carbohydrates that are high-glycemic, which raise blood-sugar levels. These include processed and refined grains and starchy foods, such as corn flakes, Rice Krispies, baked potatoes, white bread, pretzels and white rice.

Foods to Eat

Focus on antioxidants, since studies have shown low levels of antioxidants in the blood may lead to chronic pancreatitis. Antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E, selenium and carotenoids, and are found primarily in fruit and vegetables, especially greens. Eat less red meat and choose leaner protein like cold-water fish, poultry, tofu or beans. Use healthy oils such as olive oil or vegetable oil. Drink six to eight glasses of filtered water daily because pancreatitis can cause dehydration. Choose high-fiber foods for starches, like whole grains.

Herbs and Supplements

With your doctor's approval, take at least one multivitamin daily and one omega-3 fatty acid capsule. Other supplements to consider include coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, probiotic supplements with lactobacillus acidophilus, alpha-lipoic acid and resveratrol.

Herbal products can also be helpful with pancreatitis, in capsule or tea form. Try green tea, holy basil, rhodiola, cat's claw, reishi mushrooms, Indian gooseberry, grape seed extract, licorice root, ginger root, Asian ginseng, peony root, cinnamon. Consult your doctor, nutritionist or a licensed and certified practitioner of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) before adding herbs.

Daily Diet Plans

Patients concerned about pancreatitis should avoid large meals and instead choose five to six small meals spread throughout the day. Design meals that resemble the following:

Breakfast: a breakfast burrito made with a fat-free tortilla, scrambled egg whites, 1 tbsp. fat-free cream cheese, diced bell pepper and onions and salsa.

Mid-morning snack: an apple and a quarter cup of nuts.

Lunch: gazpacho soup and a small side salad with a fat-free dressing such as raspberry vinaigrette.

Mid-afternoon snack: 1/4 cup hummus with carrot sticks and cucumber slices.

Supper: Sloppy Joe sandwich made with canned low-fat sauce and tofu crumbles or ground turkey breast, coleslaw with fat-free mayonnaise, and a low-fat flavored frozen yogurt for dessert.