Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It produces enzymes that are involved in the breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It also produces insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. Mistakes in nutrition, cravings for spicy and fatty foods, smoking and alcohol abuse, uncontrolled medication - all of these factors provoke the development of pancreatitis.
How to recognize pancreatitis and what diet patients should follow, we will show in this article.
How do you know if you have pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Its 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. They start nausea and vomiting, stool problems.
In chronic pancreatitis, the pain is localized in the upper part of the peritoneum, radiating to the back, to the left side of the chest, to the bottom of the abdomen. Discomfort is also observed after consuming fatty, heavy food, alcohol, as well as against the background of frequent stress.
Signs of acute pancreatitis:
- Persistent severe pain all around.
- Increased body temperature.
- Increases in blood pressure.
- Pale or yellow complexion.
- Intense, non-relieving vomiting.
- Constipation, bloating, saliva.
Signs of chronic pancreatitis:
- Abdominal pain after eating. Local or perimeter, lying on the back.
- The heat causes stomach pain, while the cold is relief.
- The patient assumes a forced position - the knee-elbow position, or a sitting position with a forward bend.
- Vomiting, diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
It does not matter what form of illness you have - acute or chronic. You need to be selective about the food you eat and stick to your diet.
What diet is indicated for pancreatitis
To prevent exacerbations of pancreatitis, the following dietary modifications are recommended:
- Eating 4-5 times a day with an equal distribution of foods containing fat in the diet;
- refusal to overeat;
- Balanced diet;
- restriction of saturated fats and cholesterol;
- the inclusion in the diet of a sufficient amount of a variety of plant fibers - cereals, vegetables and fruits;
- eating a range of foods that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol (unrefined vegetable fats are somewhat limited only to overweight people).
Which products are allowed
It is a mistake to think that patients with pancreatitis are "deprived" of tasty and varied food. In fact, the list of allowed foods is quite extensive.
So you can eat:
- Dry white bread, biscuits.
- Vegetable soup with noodles, oatmeal, oatmeal.
- Lean meat.
- Lean fish, aspic.
- Porridge (buckwheat (mashed), oats, oatmeal, rice).
- Cottage cheese, cereal pudding and casserole.
- Fermented milk and dairy products not more than 2% fat.
- Eggs.
- Vegetables.
- Ripe and non-acidic varieties of fruits and berries.
- Butter and vegetable oil.
- Weak tea, still mineral water, rose juice, juices diluted with water in a ratio of 50 to 50).
Food should be wiped, boiled, steamed. You can not eat hot and cold food. The optimum temperature is 30-50 ° C. Do not overdo it, eat partially.
What foods should be thrown away?
A deterioration occurs when feeding and intake are disturbed:
- fatty, fried food,
- hot spices,
- a large number of vegetables, raw fruits,
- muffins and cakes (cakes, pies, pastries),
- alcohol,
- carbonated drinks,
- whole milk
Example of menu for patients with pancreatitis
- BREAKFAST: Milk porridge / milk soup with noodles / boiled noodles. Milk tea. Dry bread.
- dinner: Vegetable puree soup, boiled rice / mashed potatoes, fish / boiled meat. Tea.
- Snack in the afternoon: Casserole with cheese, jelly / jelly.
- dinner: vegetable salad with olive oil, meat / boiled fish, jelly.
Necessary foods. Eat baked apples, low-fat cottage cheese, biscuits between meals.
Note that medication and diet are equally important. Food therapy returns the pancreas to normal, avoiding a worsening of the disease. In this case, do not engage in self-treatment! If you have symptoms of pancreatitis, see your doctor.