Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It produces enzymes involved in the breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It also makes insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. Errors in nutrition, cravings for spicy and fatty foods, smoking and alcohol abuse, uncontrolled intake of drugs - all these factors provoke the development of pancreatitis.
How to recognize pancreatitis and what diet the patient should follow, we will tell in this article.
How do you know if you have pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Symptoms vary depending on the form.
The acute form is expressed by severe girdle pain in the upper abdomen. Pain syndrome occurs when you eat something fatty or drink alcohol. Nausea and vomiting begin, problems with stool.
In chronic pancreatitis, the pain is localized in the upper part of the peritoneum, radiates to the back, left side of the chest, lower abdomen. Discomfort is also observed after consuming fatty, heavy food, alcohol, as well as against the background of frequent stress.
Signs of acute pancreatitis:
- Severe persistent pain all around.
- Increased body temperature.
- Blood pressure spikes.
- Pale or yellow skin.
- Great vomiting, does not go away.
- Constipation, flatulence, drooling.
Symptoms of chronic pancreatitis:
- Stomach pain after eating. Local or circular, extending backwards.
- The heat causes an upset stomach, while the cold provides relief.
- The patient assumes a forced position - a knee-elbow position, or a sitting position with a forward bend.
- Vomiting, diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
It doesn't matter what form of disease you have - acute or chronic. You have to be selective about the foods you eat and stick to your diet.
What diet is indicated for pancreatitis?
For the prevention of exacerbations of pancreatitis, the following dietary modifications are recommended:
- Eat 4-5 times a day with an even distribution of fat-containing foods in the diet;
- refusal to overeat;
- balanced diet;
- limit saturated fat and cholesterol;
- inclusion of various types of vegetable fiber in the diet in sufficient quantities - cereals, vegetables and fruits;
- eat a variety of foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol (unrefined vegetable fats are somewhat limited to overweight people).
What products are allowed
It would be a mistake to think that pancreatitis patients "miss out" on a tasty and varied diet. In fact, the list of allowed foods is quite a lot.
So you can eat:
- Dry white bread, pastries.
- Vegetable soup with noodles, semolina, oatmeal.
- Lean meat.
- Lean fish, aspic.
- Porridge (buckwheat (porridge), oatmeal, semolina, rice).
- Cottage cheese, cereal pudding and casserole.
- Milk and fermented milk products have no more than 2% fat.
- Egg.
- Vegetables.
- Ripe, non-sour fruit and berry varieties.
- Butter and vegetable oil.
- Weak tea, mineral water, rosehip broth, juice diluted with water in a ratio of 50 to 50).
Food needs to be cleaned, boiled, steamed. You can't eat hot and cold food. The optimal temperature is 30-50 ° C. Do not overeat, eat in small portions.
What foods should be thrown away?
Exacerbations occur when nutrition and intake are disturbed:
- fatty foods, fried foods,
- hot spices,
- large amounts of raw vegetables, fruits,
- muffins and sweets (cakes, pies, pastries),
- alcohol,
- carbonated drinks,
- milk
Sample menu for pancreatitis patient
- Breakfast: Milk porridge/milk soup with boiled noodles/noodles. Tea with milk. Dry bread.
- Dinner: Vegetable puree soup, boiled rice/mashed potatoes, boiled fish/meat. Tea.
- Afternoon snack: Curd casserole, jelly/jelly.
- Dinner: vegetable salad with olive oil, boiled meat / fish, jelly.
Snacks needed. Eat baked apples, low-fat cottage cheese, crackers between meals.
Note that medication and diet are equally important. Nutritional therapy brings the pancreas back to normal, avoiding exacerbations of the disease. In this case, do not do the treatment yourself! If you have symptoms of pancreatitis, see your doctor.